The Power of Power!
Summary:
It seems like a simple enough word, apartheid: apartness; but the story of Apartheid is one of unbelievable pain and one of unbridled abuse of power. It is a story of a people who became the target of an insidious and legal effort to pretend that they did not exist by enacting draconian segregation laws that for over 40 years precipitated one of the greatest abuses of power in contemporary history. Though it has come to an end in the legal sense, it may take generations to realize a level of reconciliation. It is the story of the power of power to lead either to Apartheid or reconciliation.
I did a quick Amazon search to find the number of books with the topic: South African Apartheid. Amazon list 3880 results. A broader internet search shows thousands more. I was surprised by the number of books available, papers written, and analysis given. As an aside, I was even more surprised that through my years of theological education— most of it in Europe—the subject was rarely addressed.
In this context, David Welsh is a voice in a choir of voices telling a story, each from their different perspective and all adding another part to the story. Welsh approaches the story in a historically linear manner by highlighting three distinct periods of time with overlapping themes. His approach clearly delineates the overlapping and heightened tension from period to period until the point of critical mass where Apartheid could no longer stand up under the terrible weight of its injustice.
The first period begins in 1948 and ends in 1959. It was at this time that the National Party (all-white government) regained power and began a concerted effort toward more strict segregation of the nonwhite African population—who were, in fact, the majority. For example, in an effort to control, the law forbade interracial marriages between whites and people of other races. It was during this period that the legal foundations for Apartheid were being laid.
The second period ranges from 1959 to 1966. The stronger efforts toward segregation that began in the prior period appeared to find their expression in the development of geographical borders that further segregated the African population from the all-white population. It was during this time that the system of Dompas (dumb pass) was enacted to prevent Africans from moving from their designated homeland into the urban centers and towns. All Africans who were outside of their designated geographical border were required to carry a Dompas. This was a time when, “torture, solitary confinement, detention without trial, and deaths in detention became commonplace.” 1
The third period ranges from 1966-1994. While the efforts of Apartheid continue and even strengthen within the government, the anti-apartheid movement began to gain strength. Very seldom in history is the battle for power peaceful. Regrettably, the fight for equality and democracy in South Africa was no exception. Millions were persecuted, prosecuted, imprisoned, tortured and killed. The hundreds of deaths caused by police brutality at Soweto uprising in 1976 was one of the sparks that flamed the eventual decline of apartheid.2 The release of Nelson Mandela from prison by President De Klerk placed both Mandela and De Klerk in a position to lead and negotiate the way that would eventually lead to the end of Apartheid and the start of a democratic government in South Africa.
Application:
The vastness and complexity of the story of Apartheid cannot be summed up in a few hundred words or even millions of words. The story of Apartheid is not just a story of a group of people who were wrongfully and collectively victimized. It is not just a story of the few visible leaders—as important as their story is. It is a story of the millions of individuals who have been directly and indirectly impacted by Apartheid. 3
In the context of Christian leadership, one thing that can be learned is that history again attests to the fact that power is still power and its abuses, no matter the legality or the cause, leads to pain and destruction. As Christian leaders we are not immune to power’s siren song, nor are we immune from abusing power. Sadly, history also attests to this fact.
Henri Nouwen makes an interesting observation about power and the church. He says, “one of the greatest ironies of the history of Christianity is that it’s leaders constantly give in to the temptation of power—political power, military power, economic power, or moral and spiritual power…” If that is the case, then as Christian leaders we should always be on guard. Power is a dangerous and addictive drug. If you don’t believe that, just try to take it away from someone and see what happens! For Christian leaders, it may be that the greatest and most fundamental use of power should be toward reconciliation and not control.
The story of Apartheid is painful and sad. In the midst of all of the facts and complexity of the story, I sense the story that Welsh is trying to tell is one of the wrongful use of power leading to Apartheid, justiposed by the just use of power leading to reconciliation. That is the power of power. It is in the latter that Christian leaders should excel.
- David Welsh. The Rise and Fall of Apartheid (Reconsiderations in Southern African History). University of Virginia Press, 2010, 73.
- Ibid., 101.
- Erica Bouris. Complex Political Victims. Kumarian Press, 2007, 131.
- Henri J. M. Nouwen. In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership. The Crossroad Publishing Company, 1992, 76.
About the Author
Jim Sabella
8 responses to “The Power of Power!”
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As I read through your post on the temptations (and consequences) of power, specifically within the church, I was reminded of how the church used scripture and twisted theology to justify the separateness of “the races.” Welsh: “theologians assisted in the task by promoting the belief that the natural, God-given condition of humankind was its division into ‘nations’ with differing cultures, which should be kept apart” (15).
To use the scriptures as a tool for division instead of reconciliation is a despicable practice. It is an absolute abuse of the scriptures by power-hungry individuals who use the name of God for their own purposes.
Beautiful, heart-felt, post, Jim. You had me on your opening sentence: “…but the story of Apartheid is one of unbelievable pain and one of unbridled abuse of power.” So true and so very tragic. I found myself counting the victims mentioned and unmentioned throughout the historical account of the South Africa apartheid.
It was painful just recounting the rise of the apartheid. I found myself cheering for the “underdogs” to organize and assert themselves. Fortunately, I was rewarded with a good ending with the fall of the oppressive system. I wish other countries could be so fortunate.
Yes, I did catch that theme of the wrongful use of power as well as the anxiety in creating this oppressive fear-ridden system, so lacking in love, peace, and grace.
Thank you Jennifer. I agree: the good ending is rare and welcome.
Thanks Jim. I referenced Henri Nouwen’s book in reponse to another post and thought of the temptation to abuse power – which Jesus resisted and also calls us to resist. There are many salient warnings in this book – and your post – that bear witness to this fact.
Jim, thank you for bringing us back to the main point, “For Christian leaders, it may be that the greatest and most fundamental use of power should be toward reconciliation and not control.” I agree with your excellent assessment of the book and especially your insights on power. We are in a study called “leadership and global perspectives” after all.
PS – So many quotes from Henri Nouwen from you and others. Thanks for the reference for the book. Think I’ll get it!!
For Christian leaders, it may be that the greatest and most fundamental use of power should be toward reconciliation and not control.
Jim my sentiments exactly. I wish this was the motto or theme in our political arenas. Our politicians who use the term Christian, are faced daily with making the right choice. Sometimes they succeed and sometimes they failed.
We must pray together for their success in following the commandments and order of Jesus.
“Power is a dangerous and addictive drug. If you don’t believe that, just try to take it away from someone and see what happens!”
I think this is one thing that makes me respect De Klerk and Mandela even more. Both had the power to call on violence and anger to further their own authority, but recognized it would be at the expense of the country and its people. They didn’t handle it perfectly, but they chose to use their power and authority to lead toward reconciliation.
I think some Christian leaders in the US have become addicted to power and notoriety, as have many of their followers. What can De Klerk and Mandela teach us about that?