SUNScholar - Browsing by Author "Mbaya, Henry"

Browsing by Author "Mbaya, Henry"

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Against all odds : Alphaeus Zulu and racism in church and society
(Church History Society of Southern Africa and Unisa Press, 2015) Kumalo, Simangaliso R.; Mbaya, Henry
This article examines the response of Bishop Alphaeus Hamilton Zulu to the racism that was prevalent in both the church and society when he was elected as the first African Bishop of the Anglican Church in South Africa. Clergy, especially bishops, are by virtue of their ecclesial positions expected to transcend racial prejudices, to embrace all members of their churches and to transform their churches to multi-racial ones. This means that they have to deal with racial stereotypes both within the church and society at large. This study is based on interviews with key leaders of the Anglican Church who knew and worked with Bishop Zulu, as well as an analysis of media releases and minutes of meetings that he was part of and some that were written about him. This article argues that Bishop Zulu played a pivotal role in the fight against racism, through his episcopal ministry which brought politics and religion into a creative tension, when he worked as bishop, speaker of the Legislative Assembly in Natal and key founder of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP). It also argues that church leaders must hold politics and religion together for their ministry to bring transformation to both the church and society.
Children and racism
(African Sun Media, 2020) Mbaya, Henry
This chapter commences with defining and highlighting racism as a term and a concept; defining its nature and how it is related to identity formation, as an ethical issue with moral imperatives. Then it will give a very brief historical background of the institutionalisation of racism as apartheid in the South African educational system, followed by a discussion of racial consciousness in children by drawing on the wider global context, specifically analysing very briefly, the significance of the so-called Clark doll experiment in the USA. It then proceeds to argue that racism is a social construct determined by contextual factors, arguing that racial diversity, contrary to racism, is a ‘natural’ phenomenon. From this perspective, the author then discusses responses to efforts of racial integration in schools in post-1994 South Africa. In this context, it is further argued that schools constitute critical spaces where racist attitudes and practices are formed and inculcated. Then the chapter highlights the role of literature and media in informing racist tendencies in children. Finally, it accentuates the critical role that parents, and adults play in the socialisation of children’s racial attitudes.
Contribution of John S. Mbiti to the study of African religions and African theology and philosophy
(Pieter de Waal Neethling Trust, 2019) Mbaya, Henry; Cezula, Ntozakhe Simon
This paper discusses the contribution of Professor John S Mbiti to African theology and African Philosophy. It does this by highlighting several scholars in various contexts who have attempted to highlight his contribution to these fields of study. The paper highlights some important concepts and issues that Mbiti has dealt with in his theological and philosophical works. The overall argument of these authors is that Mbiti has argued that in their cultures and religions, Africans do know and experience God.
Creativity and imagination : symbolism, ritual performance and identity formation in the Corinthian Church of South Africa
(Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Theology, 2012) Mbaya, Henry; Chetty, Irvin G.
In this article, we highlight the religious rituals that characterize the Corinthian Church of South Africa based in Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. We highlight that not only do these rituals express the unique identity of the members of the Corinthian Church but more importantly they act as tools through which the individual members strive to experience social/spiritual security. We also argue that more significantly the Corinthians use these rituals to reach out to their immediate communities. Thus through such activities the Corinthians contribute to the social cohesion of the local communities.
Dordt and Pentecostal traditions : African 'Spiritual' churches in South Africa today
(AOSIS, 2019-09-30) Mbaya, Henry
This article explores the possible link between the teachings of the Canons of Dordt in the Netherlands (1618–1619) and those of the Pentecostal and African Spiritual Churches in South Africa today. This article tries to identify some common features as well as points of divergence between the two traditions, particularly with regard to the role of Scripture, divine sovereignty, and human responsibility in salvation. Secondly, this study highlights the views on the role of the Holy Spirit in election and salvation in relation to divine grace.
Human rights : the tension and conflict between church and state in Malawi : 2004-2012
(Pieter de Waal Neethling Trust, 2014) Mbaya, Henry
In this paper, I show the critical role played by the Protestant and the Roman Catholic Churches with regard to the government’s abuse of human rights in Malawi in the years 2004 to 2012. I argue that the Protestant and Catholic leaders’ response to Bingu wa Mutharika’s government’s violation of human rights was influenced by a number of factors: first, the Church leaders’ perceptions of Wa Mutharika’s uneasiness about their critical voice. Second were the Church leaders’ perceptions of the weak position of the government. Finally, I argue that though not always uniform or consistent, the churches’ prophetic voice was occasionally undermined by their partisan interests, which sometimes were exploited by the government.
Rev Pungula Wellington Dingani : leadership in the Corinthian Church in Phepheni, Eastern Cape, South Africa
(Nederduitse Gereformeerde Teologiese Tydskrif (NGTT), 2014-09) Barnard, Marcel; Nell, Ian; Mbaya, Henry
Local leadership is crucial in Africa. This article focuses on leadership in African Independent Churches, more specifically on the leader of a local congregation of the Corinthian Church, Rev Dingani in Phepheni, Eastern Cape. The article is composed of two parts. The first part is a portrait of Dingani, mainly from an emic (inside) point of view. After a biographical sketch, his ministry and liturgical leadership are outlined, followed by a portrait of Rev Dingani as a theologian. The second part, which mainly takes an etic (outside) stance, places this portrait in a wider context of leadership in African Independent Churches and sub-Saharan Africa as a whole. After indicating some general features of African leadership, the article focuses more specifically on two leadership styles: 1. The humane-oriented and charismatic/value-based style. 2. The participative and autonomous style. By distinguishing this emic and etic positions, we confront Western and African epistemologies, without reconciling them in advance.
Social capital and the imperatives of the concept and life of ubuntu in the South African context
(Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Theology, 2011) Mbaya, Henry
In this paper, I explore the relationship between ‘social capital’ and the African concept and way of life of ubuntu. I argue that very close parallels exist in the manner that the concept of social capital and African concept and way of life of ubuntu exist and operate. On one hand, just as networks, co-operation, collaboration and mutuality define essential elements that define social capital in the West, on the other hand, the African concept and way of life of ubuntu stress interdependency, communality as is manifested in the spirit of ‘brotherhood’ and ‘brotherliness’. Similarly, just as ubuntu entails a web of relationships in which African hospitality and mutual support characterise African life, so social capital rests on interconnectedness, trust, the elements that drive corporate organisations of the West. Thus both concepts, albeit in different ways, tend to promote participation in life that enhance social welfare. Despite such similarities, however, there are differences between the two concepts. As a Western concept social capital revolves around socioeconomic benefits that the members of the corporate organisations yield, while ubuntu is about African hospitality and mutual support that benefit Africans and those who interact with them.
Some missiological imperatives of the christianisation of Cinamwali as Cilangizo in the Reformed Church in Zambia
(Church History Society of Southern Africa and Unisa Press, 2016) Zulu, William; Mbaya, Henry
This study deals with the adaptation of the traditional Ngoni girls’ initiation rite of Cinamwali into Christian Cilangizo in the Women’s Guild in the Reformed Church in Zambia. It highlights the role of the Women’s Guild in transforming the traditional values and structures of Cinamwali into the Christian Cilangizo, with a view to determine which carries Christian values and meaning amongst girls and women in the Reformed Church in Zambia.
St Paul’s Anglican Theological College during the transition towards a democratic South Africa, 1986–92
(Church History Society of Southern Africa and Unisa Press, 2017) Mbaya, Henry
St Paul’s Theological College was established in Grahamstown, South Africa, in 1902 to train white Anglican students for the ministry. During the last six years of its existence, from 1986 to 1992, the college went through rapid changes: emerging new trends in theological training and ministry raised questions on the relevance of traditional patterns of training in which St Paul’s College had been established and operated from. Although the College was originally intended to exclusively train white students, during this period, the numbers of black students started to balance off with those of white students, just as the number of women ordinands also started to rise. On the other hand, financial challenges facing some dioceses also adversely affected the college. In the dying days of apartheid, the college became more involved in the socio-political issues of Grahamstown. Moreover, its enduring image as a “white” college in the emerging new South Africa seemed an embarrassment to the church authorities. The closure of St Paul’s College, and its merger with St Bede’s College on the premises of St Paul’s College, paved the way for a new College of the Transfiguration (COT), which was an attempt to respond some of these challenges.

Browsing by Author "Mbaya, Henry"

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