The church and society in South Africa celebrating first ten years of democracy (1994-2004)

Abstract

In this article, colonialism, slavery, racism and apartheid are singled out as scourges that have afflicted South Africans for over three-and-half centuries in respect of the first four scourge, and for four-and-half decades in respect of apartheid.  Against this backdrop, the struggles of the people of South Africa against these scourges are portrayed and analysed.  With the attainment of freedom and democracy in 1994, the  ANC led government enacted pieces of legislation whose aim was to deepen and broaden democracy, thereby transforming the society beyond recognition of how it was before 1994. Celebrating the first ten years of freedom and democracy, the people of South Africa are taking stock of what has been achieved and not achieved and bracing themselves for the challenges that are facing them into the second decade.