In this talk, Peter Makapela draws on Matthew 5:13-16 as he addresses the question “What does it mean to be a black Christian in Cape Town?”
This is the third talk in a three-part series entitled “Three Shades of Cape Town”.
About the Series:
For centuries different racial and ethnic groups have called this peninsula home. For centuries relationships between different races here have been subject to all sorts of social and power dynamics, often resulting in the privileging of one group over another, or the oppression of one group by another.
Today the three dominant race groupings attempt to exist side by side in this great city: black, white, and coloured. Although there are wonderful examples to the contrary, that existence is often one of unease. It colours the stories we live, and how we live next to each other in this city. Our skin colour, for better or for worse, makes a significant difference to how we experience this city.
For many this experience is not something they feel is adequately reflected upon from a spiritual point of view. Too often spirituality attempts to cover over difference, and neutralise experiences. We want to recognise that the difference is real, that colour is an issue, and that one’s experiences of this city are significant. But we don’t want to stop there. We want to bring the Bible, and particularly the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, to bear upon these social and racial dynamics and the experiences we have as a result of them.
About the Speaker:
Peter Makapela is the pastor of Christ Church Strand in Nomzamo. In his younger days he was actively involved with student politics as a member of the PAC. Consequently as a pastor he has retained a robust interest in the role of the church and society particularly as it relates to issues of justice and reconciliation.
