As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Kairos Document in September 2025, we must look back at its impact on what it called ‘State Theology’ and how it influenced people’s behaviour. A case in point is the behaviour of theologically formed social formations such as AfriForum and Solidarity. Their ideology is very much influenced by the theology that formed the basis of apartheid philosophy and the policies that resulted from it. Hence, they go on as if their conduct is natural. At the same time, the government’s attempts to normalise a society that was made abnormal by the apartheid policies are portrayed as diabolical and deserving of strenuous resistance.
Why Solidarity and AfriForum?
I single these two out because they constitute a good case study of the result of toxic theology. It influences the way people think and live. That is, it creates a pseudo-religion that elevates one group over another, ostensibly in line with the divine plan; resists change or any new ideas; is judgmental towards others, especially those it does not agree with, and sows a negative group spirituality along the lines of being ‘chosen’ or ‘elected’ by God. We see, especially in the Pauline writings, resistance to this kind of theology in the New Testament. Paul even goes to the extent of ‘telling Peter in his face’ that all are equal before God, that is, Jew and Gentile, male and female. In Romans, he disses the Jewish doctrine of being automatically ‘chosen’ because of their Abrahamic lineage. Paul argues that it is not that historical heritage but current faith that qualifies one for God’s favours.
Regrettably, [Dr Essop Pahad] is not here today to see the vindication of my warnings to him about where such groups were taking our fledgling democracy.
Anyone who has worked closely with groups such as the AfriForum and Solidarity will attest to how ‘religious’ they appear to be, starting and ending their meetings with a prayer to God and legitimating their political and legal views with what they think is God’s will and religious values. What happens between the opening and closing prayers is not always a reflection of the image of God other people hold. Regrettably, they use their massive financial muscle to perpetuate this toxic theology even four decades after the World Alliance of Reformed Churches declared it a heresy. Of course, as said above, they only know it as a way of life, not necessarily theology.
Who are they, and what is their mission?
The names of these organisations betray their mission. Afrikaner identity is central to both, not being South African. Starting with ‘Solidariteit’, which came into being just before the Tricameral Parliament elections of 1984, their mission is to resist change, more poignantly, the inclusion of black people in government over Afrikaners. It had nothing to do with Lech Walesa’s Solidarity in Poland. AfriForum was only established in 2006, more than a decade after the establishment of an inclusive democracy. There was an opportunity to set up young people to blend into the new and future worlds they said they wanted to be part of. But they were led in a different direction that promoted exclusive Afrikaner nationalism, and money flowed from the people behind the strategy. At the time, they made a mockery of ‘affirmative action’ (now known as BEE), forgetting it is that mechanism that gave Afrikaner families and individuals a head-start to where most are today. It boggles the mind that the current president of the US and his advisers see affirming black entrepreneurs as a victimisation of Afrikaners today while not questioning the source of their wealth.
These groups each argue that they are open to everyone, the criteria being the Afrikaans culture and language. That already is exclusive, let alone attitudes and sometimes condescending and patronising behaviour. They also claimed initially that they were only a civil rights organisation. What we see in practice is a political movement outside government and democratic structures. I can confirm as one who at one point was at the receiving end of the poison the young people are fed by such groupings that they are transmitters of the doctrine of apartheid.
The late minister in the presidency, Dr Essop Pahad, was nearly swayed by the hypocrisy of the AfriForum student chapter, who later held various prominent positions in AfriForum, that the organisation was the best thing to happen to the country. He thought that they would foster reconciliation and collaborate with others in reconstructing the society that was devastated by apartheid. Regrettably, he is not here today to see the vindication of my warnings to him about where such groups were taking our fledgling democracy. Former deputy minister at the time, Ntombazana Botha, is still alive to confirm that. More serious than the poison which South Africans have had to endure for decades, is their solidarity with a like-minded international group that is taking the world backward; and their betrayal of South Africa elsewhere with distorted information is going to have lasting implications. Someone said on SAfm last week that this is the price we pay for forgiving people who never showed remorse for the sins of apartheid. We were not wrong in choosing that path. But we must continue to hope that beneficiaries of apartheid who chose to remain in South Africa after 1994 did so because they wanted to make a positive contribution.
Kairos and anti-State Theology
Chapter 2 of the Kairos Document condemns what it calls ‘State Theology’. This means, according to the document, a theology that supports the apartheid status quo, using Romans 13 and similar scriptures to justify apartheid; it also embraces racism, capitalism and totalitarianism while it reduces the poor to apathy and obedience.
In the past, Solidarity and AfriForum would have befitted the description embedded in that statement. However, in the new dispensation, they only befit the second half of it. Neither of the two is interested in supporting or undergirding support for the state with any theological statement. Instead, they wish the state or its officials, to go down while they develop their own justice, educational and economic systems parallel to those of the state, to undermine the ‘black-led’ state. This is neither State nor Church Theology as described in the Kairos Document. It is something new. Yet with elements of both. For lack of a better description, we may refer to it as anti-state theology.
As the country celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Kairos Document, a conference to assess the impact of the document on State Theology, and in addition, Church Theology, would be most appropriate. The conference should do two things: first, reflect on the phenomenon of anti-state theology and give it a name; second, reassess Church Theology. It is imperative to do this as we look ahead to another 40 years because there are political, social, and theological narratives that need to be corrected in our new democratic society. At a political level, the narratives of both governing and opposition parties need to be challenged and corrected; at a social level, a language that instils pride in being a South African needs to be developed. What is known as ‘White Talk’ in literature might be private and, at times, intended for humour around the table, but it results in reactions from ignorant people such as we see in Donald Trump’s actions. At a theological level, we need to scrutinise a lot. There are concepts and statements from elsewhere that do not befit the South African context. They influence behaviour and lead to pseudo-religion.
Call to action
This is another call to action in a democratic context. Theologians will respond if they are concerned about the future of this country as we move towards the anniversary in September. The question is: can toxic theology correct its damage to different sections of the South African society over the years?
McGlory Speckman is an honorary professor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and former dean of students for two terms at the University of Pretoria. He writes in his personal capacity
For opinion and analysis consideration, email Opinions@timeslive.co.za
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