Abstract:
The assassination of Martin Luther King Jr, 50 years ago on 04 April 1968, has been recalled in
the United States with memorial services, conferences, public discussions and books. In
contrast, the commemoration in 2017 of the death of Albert John Mvumbi Luthuli, 50 years ago
on December 1967, passed almost unremarked. That is to our detriment. Yet, these two Christian
fighters for freedom, in different contexts, did not only have much in common, but they also left
remarkably similar and equally inspiring legacies for South Africa, the United States and the
world in the ways they lived their lives in complete faith commitment to ideals and ways of
struggle that may guide us in the ongoing struggles to make the world a more just, peacable
and humane place. For South African reflections on our ethical stance in the fierce, continuing
struggles for justice, dignity and the authenticity of our democracy, I propose that these two
leaders should be considered in tandem. We should learn from both. This article engages Martin
Luther King Jr’s belief in the ‘inescapable network of mutuality’, applies it to the struggle for
freedom in South Africa and explores the ways in which South Africans can embrace these
ethical ideals in facing the challenges of post-liberation.
Description:
Prof. Boesak is participating
in the research project, titled,
‘African Christianity and
Development’, directed
by Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay,
Department of Church
History and Church Polity,
Faculty of Theology,
University of Pretoria.
