Reimagining mission in the public square: Engaging hills and valleys in the African City of Tshwane

Abstract

Note:This article forms part of the special collection on 'Doing urban public theology in South Africa: Visions, approaches, themes and practices towards a new agenda' in HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies Volume 70, Issue 3, 2014. The collection is the result of the project 'Urban Public Theology', which was initiated by the Institute for Urban Ministry but later expanded to include several academic departments and institutes at This article seeks to map out the future of Christian mission in the city context. African cities like Tshwane are not only expanding, but also present the church with a new frontier that needs to be crossed without crossing geographical boundaries. This article indicates that life in the City of Tshwane is paradoxically placed. Whilst life in the valleys of Tshwane is like walking in the valley of the shadow of death, those on the high hills (the places of power) continue with their dominance and pretence as solution providers, whilst hiding the presence of those who are marginalised. This article proposes that the future of the Christian mission lies not only in identifying those powers, but also in engaging them in a transformative way so as to usher the justice and shalom of God into this highly contested space. Read online: How to cite this article: Mashau, T.D., 2014, 'Reimagining mission in the public square: Engaging hills and valleys in the African City of Tshwane', HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 70(3), Art. #2774, 11 pages. http://dx.

The role of church youth in the transformation agenda of South African cities

“…In response to the systemic evil and violence through gangsterism on the Cape Flats, Bowers Du Toit focuses on the role of the church 11 in the lives of young people in their area. Bowers Du Toit argues that the church cannot distance her, but should in fact 'engage 8.See above the discussion of Mashau (2014) and his remarks on the church to challenge the powers in the City of Tshwane. 11.It is apparent in her response that she focuses on the institutional church.…”

Cultivating the “good city”: The theological engagement of the Institute for Urban Ministry within the City of Tshwane

“…Tshwane is a vital urban centre for South Africa because it is the administrative capital city and key municipality within the Gauteng City-Region (GCR), the urban provincial powerhouse of the economy in the country. The "African City of Tshwane" (Mashau, 2014) is influential for both the country and continent with regard to the government, economy, research, communications, mission innovation, and theological education and formation.…”

Concrete spirituality

“…My UNISA colleague, Professor T.D. Mashau, has used this liturgical statement for his inaugural lecture at UNISA(Mashau 2014), adapting the notions of 'hills' and 'valleys' in a highly creative way to develop an agenda for urban mission and missiology. His contribution is included in this volume.…”