Abstract

VAN SCHALKWYK, Annalet. Living in the land. An oiko-theological response to the amadiba crisis committee of xolobeni's struggle for ubuntu, land and ecology. Missionalia (Online) [online]. 2019, vol.47, n.1, pp.31-57. ISSN 2312-878X.  http://dx.doi.org/10.7832/47-1-299.

The central thesis of this article is that the network of living relationships between community, ecology and land as understood by the Amadiba people of Xolobeni may be recognised as an integral part of the wider context in which public and ecumenical oiko-theology needs to be practised, during a challenging time in South African society. It is dealing with serious challenges regarding mining, land, economic development and communities' struggle to control their own livelihoods and destinies. As part of this article, the story of the Amadiba Crisis Committee's struggle to resist brutal mining and road development is told. This leads to a search for some pointers to guide public oiko- theologians to participate in the struggle for human rights and self-determination for communities threatened by mining. These are: i) a contextual analysis of government's engagement with ecology and economy from the perspective of the oikonomia tou Theou (the economy of God); ii) ecumenical cooperation with the groundswell of community organisations and NGOs who are working for justice for mining-affected communities, and; iii) possible ways of deepening democracy and keeping government accountable.

Keywords : Amadiba Crisis Committee; ecology; indigenous knowledge systems; land; mining; Mpondoland; oikos; sustainable economy; Right to say NO"; ubuntu.

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