PIETERMARITZBURG, South Africa (Mennonite Mission Network) – An emerging friendship between Mzwandile Nkutha, a black Zulu pastor, and Cobus van Wyngaard, a white Afrikaans pastor, through the Anabaptist Network in South Africa (ANiSA), demonstrates in a small way the hopeful possibility of overcoming deeply rooted racial prejudices in South Africa.
“ANiSA opened up a space where we could talk, share about our backgrounds in an honest and open way, [more] than perhaps we could elsewhere,” Nkutha said. “It was these spaces that made this friendship possible.”
A divided history
To fully appreciate the ramifications of Nkutha and van Wyngaard’s friendship, one must first understand the history of South Africa, where overcoming racial separation is an ongoing struggle. Racial segregation, introduced by colonialism in the 17th century, became codified from 1948 to 1994 into the official, all-encompassing political system of apartheid.
During apartheid, all aspects of South African life and activity were governed by racial categories: black, Indian, coloured (mixed race), and white. The Afrikaners, descendants of early Dutch settlers, stated that the separation of races was not only good, but the desire of God. Although they believed they were called to bring God to other races, they viewed those other races as inferior, and felt that mixing races would dilute the purity of God’s “chosen” people.
White people had privileged lives and they benefited from the best that the country had to offer. For other racial groups, especially black people, life was unjust and oppressive. Seized land and homes, limited movement, unfair employment practices, and disproportionate salaries were the norm. Only white people were permitted to live in towns or cities. Other racial groups were forced to live in racially-defined townships, far enough away from white areas to limit inter-racial encounters, but close enough for white people to draw upon a cheap labor force.
During his formative years, Nkutha grew up just outside of Johannesburg in Soweto, the largest black township in South Africa, while van Wyngaard grew up in Swaziland and South Africa.
Although van Wyngaard’s family explicitly challenged the notions and beliefs of apartheid, as white people they benefited from their place of privilege.
Friendship grows from a painful past
Today, official restrictions no longer require segregated living, and excellent work has begun the process of reconciliation. However, post-apartheid South Africa continues to wrestle with the residue of its historical mindset.
On December 16, 1838, combat between the Zulus and the Voortrekkers, the ancestors of the Afrikaners, left the river near the battlefields running red with blood. The Battle of Blood River is commemorated yearly by Afrikaners because of “God’s deliverance,” but the Zulu people remember the battle as a massacre that claimed thousands of lives.
Both Nkutha and van Wyngaard were formed by faith. Nkutha grew up in a black Baptist church, and is now a pastor of a Vineyard church. Van Wyngaard is a dominie (pastor or minister) in the Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk (Dutch Reformed Church) that wrestles with its historic affiliation with the apartheid government and its policies – thus, in historical conflict with the black evangelical church.
Given South Africa’s history and its ongoing reality of inter-racial relationships, there are several hurdles in the way of reconciliation, let alone friendship, between Nkutha and van Wyngaard, and others like them.
The two pastors met at the first ANiSA Dialogue held April 30, 2011. Sharing and listening to one another’s stories sparked openness between them. They wanted to connect further to learn about each other’s lives, their mutual passion for living as disciples of Jesus, and to determine what all of that means within the South African context.
“As we got to know one another, we found ourselves living out a similar story,” Nkutha said. “In our own contexts, we have been exploring what it might look like to have the church demonstrate something different within our society. In this way we both have been walking the same journey.”
Nkutha and van Wyngaard find themselves moving outside their theological traditions, discovering common ground within the Anabaptist story, witness and theology.
Nkutha describes the Anabaptist story as one that “takes seriously the life and teachings of Jesus. It is this lifestyle that seeks to embody the gospel that seeks peace and right relationships with one another. This is the gospel that is needed within South Africa and a world that too often embraces violence in its search for power and control.”
According to Nkutha, the South African church finds itself in a compromised position given its historic and ongoing relationship with the state.
A third way
“The Anabaptist story helps in giving an alternative model as to what it means to live as kingdom political people instead of tying itself with the political agenda of a particular party or state,” Nkutha said.
Initially, van Wyngaard was drawn to Anabaptism because of its strong emphasis on nonviolence. Yet, as he continues his journey, he has come to recognize that Anabaptism has provided an alternative way for people to think and believe, and alternative ways for the church to relate to the state. These ways do not allow the status quo of injustice and oppression to continue.
“In the new South Africa, we are all supposed to like each other. However, we are not supposed to interact with each other,” van Wyngaard said. “ANiSA provides a space that connects people. Mere desegregation does not bring about new relationships, a fact that we have been made painfully aware of in South Africa.”
Since their first meeting, Nkatha and van Wyngaard have found ways of connecting and continuing the conversations that have been started. Both have sought ways of participating more in ANiSA and are now part of the ANiSA Planning Team for the Johannesburg area.
“The work of ANiSA is a slow process because it seeks true reconciliation and transformation,” Nkatha said.
ANiSA, an initiative of Mennonite Church Canada, is supported by a partnership that includes Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission and Mennonite Mission Network. Mennonite Church Canada workers, Andrew and Karen Suderman, help to support and grow communities of peace, justice and reconciliation within the country. One aspect of their work includes ANiSA Dialogues, which provide opportunities for people to connect with one another in a safe space.
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Mennonite Mission Network, the mission agency of Mennonite Church USA, leads, mobilizes and equips the church to participate in holistic witness to Jesus Christ in a broken world. Media may contact news@mennonitemission.net.
