Original Research - Special Collection: Practical Theology

A possible solution for corruption in South Africa with the church as initiator: A practical theological approach

Amanda L. du Plessis, Gert Breed
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies | Vol 69, No 2 | a1298 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v69i2.1298 | © 2013 Amanda L. du Plessis, Gert Breed | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 06 July 2012 | Published: 20 March 2013

About the author(s)

Amanda L. du Plessis, Department of Practical Theology, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, South Africa
Gert Breed, Department of Practical Theology, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, South Africa

Abstract

According to Transparency International, Africa is the most corrupt region in the world. In South Africa, there is an annual ’loss’ of about R30 billion as a result of bribery and corruption. It would appear that it is exactly the poor and the vulnerable who suffer most under the scourge of corruption. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of corruption on victim(s) and to evaluate it in an effort to formulate solutions as to how such individuals can be guided and supported in the suffering and hardship that they endure and that specifically emanate from corruption. In the research, an effort was made to move away from the trend of the fragmenting of aid and to present guidelines or suggestions that can lead to a global solution, where multi-disciplinary involvement can be facilitated. The researchers agree that the church can play a key role in this, and the solution was sought in the principles expounded in 1 Corinthians 12. The research method known as action research was investigated as a workable method to be used by the multi-disciplinary aid team in their struggle against corruption. In the final instance, the principles used by Touching Africa in their work were investigated so that these could also be used in the quest for a solution.

Keywords

corruption; action-based research; trauma and suffering due to corruption; Touching Africa; church model

Metrics

Total abstract views: 8977
Total article views: 12989

 

Crossref Citations

1. ‘They worship in our churches’ – An opportunity for the church to intervene in order to diminish the corruption that is hindering service delivery in South Africa?
Benito Khotseng, A. Roger Tucker
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies  vol: 69  issue: 2  year: 2013  
doi: 10.4102/hts.v69i2.1933