This study seeks to investigate the origin of land injustices in South Africa. The root cause of land injustices, as will be shown in the introduction, is located in human shortcomings of greed, which theologically is termed sin. All the contributory systems mentioned such as Colonisation and Apartheid are a direct result of sin. No human being is immune from sin, whatever name one may use to describe that shortcoming. The approach adopted throughout the dissertation is an inductive one which first presents the reality as it is and secondly make an analysis of the situation. In this regard chapter two focuses on the dire needs of land by Africans both in Cradock and the country as a whole. Chapter three examines the concept of ubulungisa - justice as an appropriate method for Christians (in South Africa) to address the issue of land injustice. Chapter four acknowledges that the problem of land injustice is global in scope. It is suggested that the experiences of other countries that have gone through similar experiences have much to offer South Africa: It is also emphasised that the lessons learnt must be adapted to our situation. Chapter five examines the land policies of three of the dominant South African political parties that are involved in the present Government. These are; the African National Congress, the National Party and the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania. At the same time, a brief critique of their land policies is conducted. This chapter closes by suggesting that an approach that allows all citizens of the country to make a contribution be adopted. Chapter six presents a challenge to the Church to accept its role and responsibility. The author submits that the Church has a pastoral and prophetic role to play. The church is challenged to show its commitment to ministry on land injustices by setting an example in the use of its own land, whilst at the same time it challenges the State. This is so because the church has a task to be the conscience of the nation by 'being the voice of the voiceless.' Chapter seven, summarises the findings of the dissertation and concludes by suggesting six fundamental ethical principles regarding justice in the land that are worth considering. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1998.

This thesis is about the Lutheran Churches' response to the forced removals which took place between 1968 and 1984 in Western Transvaal. Bills aimed at expropriating land from African people were passed through parliament from 1913 to 1984. These apartheid laws culminated in the fonnation of Bantustans where people of different nationalities among blacks were moved to. Among the Tswanas four villages in the Western Transvaal viz. Matlwang, Ga-Maloka, Botshabelo and Mogopa were moved between 1968 and 1984. The Lutheran Churches which were working in the four villages did not do much to help their members in time great need and distress. The villagers interviewed unanymously agreed that the Lutheran churches were silent during the time of the forced removals. The Lutheran churches in the world have a history of silence with regard to governments' unjust policies towards the people. Theologians and church leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (ELCSA) and its supporting mission society, the Rermannsburg Mission Society (HMS), the Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (LCSA) and its supporting mission society, the Lutheran Church Mission, agree that the doctrine of the Two Kingdoms was not responsible for the silence of the Lutheran Churches in South Africa. The Lutheran Churches have an opportunity to make up for their past mistakes by initiating and joining existing projects aimed at helping the marginalised communities of South Africa. Among other pressing needs in South Africa besides the preaching of the gospel one can count landlessness, unemployment, homelessness, poverty, hunger, diseases like HIV/AIDS, and counselling of the abused individuals in both in the urban and the rural areas to which those who were forcefully removed are returning. This work is presented to churches in general and to the Lutheran Churches in particular so that they can preach the gospel of Jesus Christ in a wholistic rather than a narrow way. Jesus was concerned about the poor, the captives, the blind, the sinners, the rulers and the oppressed. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1999.