�Within the enclave� � Profiling South African social and religious developments since 1994

Abstract

The paper investigated religious and social transformations within a specific religious tradition in South Africa. After clarifying the charged concept of �transformation�, the authors showed that transformation is about more than changed systems and structures, for, on a deeper level, it is also about the change in relationships and attitudes between the different cultural groups in South Africa. The argument was supported by making use of data from the SA reconciliation barometer 2010 and the 2009 Transformation audit. In the next part of the paper, the authors took a closer look at the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) as a case in point. The basic question they asked was how do these social transformations affect the religious transformations within the DRC and vice versa? By making use of Mary Douglas�s concept of �the enclave� it was proposed that a new enclave developed in the DRC after 1994, the characteristics of which were investigated in the remainder of the paper.

The potential of multicultural congregations in supporting social reconciliation

“…What are needed most are practical actions; the safe space and opportunity to hear each other's stories that could shatter racial stereotypes and beliefs that have acted as a dividing wall. Within congregations, small groups (Ammerman 1997) could facilitate this work; however, they could also serve as enclaves for those from the same cultural group (Cilliers & Nell 2011). The latter highlights how attending to diversity may prevent integration as it can exclude others, usually on the basis of language.…”

Communities Facing Disruption: The Need to Shift from Individual to Community Paradigms in Pastoral Care

“…Also, much of the "poverty, unemployment and inequality are structural problems that have their origins in apartheid" (Du Toit 2012:4). Not only can the source of trauma be found in the past political regime, the inequalities and violence of today, but also in the fact that this young democratic nation has been forced into a "collapse into modernity" (Cilliers & Nell 2011:3) that brings with it its own challenges in terms of uncertainty and insecurity with regard to identity formation. No simple cause-effect approach is assumed here and I am well aware of the complex nature of inter-related factors linking socio-economic inequalities, psycho-spiritual considerations, unresolved collective trauma, and many other factors with violence in South African society, and its impact on community well-being and restoration.…”

The pedagogical role of multicultural leadership in post-apartheid South Africa

“…(Botman 2000:118) It would seem that some mainline churches (Englishspeaking churches and the DRC) in South Africa continue to function with a sense of false security (Cilliers & Nell 2011;De Beer & Van Niekerk 2009;Gibbs 2005:13). Secular and sacred leadership in the three publics, if untransformed, are counterproductive in embracing difficult and concrete ethnic and cultural issues (Andrews 2002:107, 711;Venter 2008:542ff.).…”

“…The notion of a 'laager' in some white (DRC) circles in South Africa engenders a theology of living and worshipping in safe, private, cultural enclaves, whilst simultaneously discriminating against other cultures (De Beer & Van Niekerk 2009:50-52;Kuperus 2011). Some wealthy white people (and middle-class black people) retreat into privatised gated communities, living like expats, and withdrawing from public life and engaging as little as possible in the transformed order (Cilliers & Nell 2011;Kuperus 2011).…”

“…Another socio-cultural challenge in South Africa is the response of some of the white minorities (the DRC and socalled English-speaking churches) to a multicultural society (Cilliers & Nell 2011;Dames 2012b;De Gruchy 2000). Further, according to Pui-lan (2005):…”