Re-imagining development in underdeveloped Africa and South Africa : perspectives from the lenses of liberation theologies and the call for decolonisation

Abstract

This research is concerned with the human subject and therefore, engages the notion through the liberation paradigm with the benefit that Black Liberation theology emerges from the concrete historical realities of black people in the Third World being subject to colonialism, imperialism, exploitation, racism and slavery. The interest of this research is to affirm the humanity of black people through the principles of Imago Dei and from there engage white anthropology as a theory which lacks praxis. The research explores how the lives of black people have been commodified to capitalism as a mode of maximizing profits. The Black Consciousness as a philosophy which affirms, values and defends the lives of black people becomes an employable discipline in arguing the flaws of white anthropology, institutionalized racism, assumed truths, imperialism, materialism and exploitation. The Black Consciousness philosophy is incorporated as a discipline which allows black people to be subjects of their own history. It interprets the Bible in a way that reaffirms the humanity, likeness and value of black people through the principles of Imago Dei. This research explores how the democratic government has failed dismally to develop, transform and better the living conditions which black people have been subjected to. As a means of seeking solutions the study discovers the human problem to be the fundamental issue regarding the dehumanization of black people, whereby leaders (politicians, clergy, employers, etc.) assume leadership through greed, self-enrichment and spiritual poverty.