Abstract:
This contribution in the field of public theology explores two questions: (1) Could South Africa
be regarded as a traumatised society, presenting with acute symptoms of post-traumatic
disorder and (2) what would be an appropriate theological response to a traumatised society?
These questions became even more acute with the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic during
2020. Historical events and current statistical data relevant to the first question are presented,
which could indicate that South Africa might indeed be regarded as a highly traumatised
society. The second question is discussed from the perspective of reformed theology. This
limits the research focus, based on the assumption that all theology and all churches respond
in a particular way to traumatic events and the effects of individual and collective trauma.