Alternatiewe tot apartheid? Gespreksgroepe in die Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk (NGK) gedurende die 1980's

Abstract

During the 1980s, the South African government was struggling to keep violence in the country under control  despite  the  many  reforms  that  the  PW  Botha  regime  has  brought  with  it.  The  days  of  “’grand  apartheid”,  associated  in  particular  with  HF  Verwoerd  and  the  controversial  homeland  system,  was  over but certain key apartheid laws were still upheld. The government tried to create the impression that the policy of apartheid was a thing of the past, while on the other hand it was retaining political power. While  the  government  made  important  changes  to  the  apartheid  policy,  the  Dutch  Reformed  Church  also  felt  pressure  from  all  sides  due  to  its  particular  role  in  the  development  and  sustainment  of  the  apartheid regime. Lacking official channels, frustrated theologians and members of the Church resorted to informal discussion groups to initiate a think tank about the future of the Church and the country as a whole.