Mapping the Africanist tradition of Black Theology of Liberation in South Africa post-1994: A critical review

Abstract

The development of Black Theology of Liberation in South Africa has evolved across different registers. A great number of Black Theologians before 1994 in South Africa were cautious in their engagement with African spirituality, although some like Simon Maimela and Desmond Tutu were open to such dialogues. Post-1994 Black Theology in South Africa has developed along different trajectories. This paper focuses on the Africanist trajectory of Black Theology of Liberation. This review attempts to expose that the trajectory of the Africanist and tradition of Black Theology of Liberation is not linear and is, in fact, different. Using the work of Vellem, Kobe, Tshaka, Kobo and Ramose, I attempt to expose the differences expressed in three different registers. This review acknowledges the theological anthropology of Black Theology of Liberation in the Africanist tradition but draws attention to addressing the question of theology proper, that is, the doctrine of God.
Contribution: This critical review contributes by drawing our attention to points required for further engagement within Black Theology of Liberation in the post-1994 era.