Abstract

In 1994, South Africa ventured into a secular, constitutional state system when it replaced the immoral religio-political oppressiveness of the Apartheid government. This transformative, democratic state guarantees freedom, transparency, basic human rights and inclusiveness. Paradoxically, more than 70% South African Christians experience high levels of dissatisfaction, alienation, apathy and non-accessibility towards their secular government. Ironically, cohabitation between church and government become once again unavoidable when both claim guardianship over their followers. Hence, the politics of religion in a developmental, secular state is apparent. Unfortunately, South Africans continue to face poverty, HIV/Aids, crime and corruption, which ultimately deprive them of a good life. Additionally, both church and government are struggling to come to terms with their redefined roles as protector and guarantor of the collective good. Surveys conducted since 1999 in rural KwaZulu-Natal challenge the secularity of South Africa as well as defying the church and state’s claims of representation and independence. This Theopolitical research project emphasized that within the socio-political nexus, the state and church, with their distinct yet complimentary responsibilities, could continue to promote transformation and transparency, despite secularism. It furthermore explored whether the transformed and detached church and government truly reflected the needs of their followers.