Trajectories of mutual zombification in the praxis of post-colonial faith in South Africa. The need for African decoloniality theology

Abstract

In this theoretical article, I tap into Mbembe's (1992) concept of mutual zombification to start a debate on the need for African decoloniality theology (ADT) for a contemporary praxis of Christian faith. Observing the praxis of faith in post-colonial states among the "new" religious movements, I argue that there is a need for theologians to rethink theology in the context of religious mafiarisation, extortion, abuse, constitutional delinquency, political oppression and coloniality of God. I use decoloniality theory to articulate and suggest the need for ADT. I answer the question: What are the trajectories of mutual zombification and how will ADT involve? I submit that ADT can provide meaning to faith in post-colonial states that are devoid of coloniality, oppression, extortion, and constitutional delinquency, a Christian faith where people tap into both modernity and postmodernity, as opposed to mutual zombification that favours abusive religious leaders.

Doctrine as security? A systematic theological critique of the operational theological framework of the controversial South African neo-Pentecostal prophets

“…The focus of this research article is the operational theological framework that prompts South African neo-Pentecostal prophets (NPPs) to carry out the questionable practices that are widely reported in the media. Previous studies have critiqued these NPPs from various theoretical and theological perspectives, such as the religious nature of their controversial practices (Resane 2017), the view of prophecy (Kgatle 2019), cultism (Kgatle 2021), coloniality (Dube 2019), their view of the church (Banda 2020c; Kgatle 2020a), salvation (Banda 2020b) and the Holy Spirit (Banda 2019a). This article contributes to the growing body of studies on NPPs in South Africa by examining their operational theological framework from a systematic theological perspective, which allows them to carry out the reported controversial practices.…”

Unsafe spaces? An ecclesiological evaluation and response to recent controversial practices in some South African neo-Pentecostal churches

“…Scholars such as Resane (2017) and Kgatle (2017Kgatle ( , 2019 have analysed critically the underlying theological frameworks behind these controversial activities and made various recommendations of how to curb them. Dube (2019aDube ( , 2019b used decolonial theory to argue that the controversial SANP practices grossly violate the human rights of the congregants and has called for the regulation of religion. Mokhoathi and Rembe (2017) argued that the controversial practices violate the various aspects of the South African national constitution.…”