Abstract:
Poverty is one of the greatest threats to society. In South Africa it is also one of the biggest
challenges. This article starts with the challenges put to society by Mr Trevor Manuel at
the Carnegie 3 conference. It then explores the possibility of if and how the church can
act as a non-governmental organisation in the fight against poverty. A historical overview
of the actions of Rev. E.P. Groenewald, during the drought of 1933–1934 in the Dutch
Reformed Church Bethulie, serves as a case study of how the church can make a difference.
It, however, also illustrates the many pitfalls on this challenging road. The article comes to
the conclusion that the main challenge of the church in the fight against poverty is to act as
a non-governmental organisation, which transforms values and assists society with good
organisation and administration.
Description:
This article was initially a
presentation to the Poverty
Symposium 2013, directed
by Prof. Dr Johann-Albrecht
Meylahn, Department of
Practical Theology, Faculty
of Theology, University of
Pretoria, Pretoria,
South Africa.
