Pieter Verster
Empowering the poor:
The Bible and the poor in informal settlements in
Africa with reference to Mangaung, South Africa.
1- INTRODUCTION
Stories from Africa are often stories of despair. Social, economic and
political problems are challenging the search for a better life for many in
Africa. Signs of a new and better future are sometimes overshadowed by
news of wars, droughts, floods, epidemics and political upheaval.
It is as if the seriousness of the situation is too overwhelming for a posi-
tive solution. However, a Christian response to the challenges must not
be and is not lacking. All over Africa, Christian churches, theologians
and church members are involved in discussion and active involvement
in the situation in Africa. A new dawn is also visible in many instances.
The Bible is not silent on the issue of the human predicament and a
reply from Scripture is needed to the challenges of Africa. In informal
settlements all over Africa and also in South Africa, the church’s pres-
ence is of utmost importance. Taking her cue from the Bible, the
Church should reply in an active and radical way. The church should
respond to the challenges in these situations. The churches’ reply can
only be beneficial to the people themselves if the church itself is pre-
pared to link the message of the Bible to the needs of the people. The
message of the Bible has definite implications for the needs of the peo-
ple. Looking at the message of the Bible, the church can reply to the
needs of the people and bring about a new situation in which new possi-
bilities can be found.
(^1) This paper is based upon research supported by the National Research Foundation
(NRF) of South Africa. Any opinion, findings and conclusions or recommendations
expressed in this material are those of the author and therefore the NRF does not ac-
cept any liability in regard thereto. The research was also supported by the University
of the Free State (UFS) cluster: “New frontiers in poverty reduction and sustainable
development”. Permission was granted to publish this material also in a Monograph of
the author at Sunmedia in South Africa.