The subject of migrants’ social integration in receiving countries is a growing debate in the 21st
century amongst the international community and the nations of the world. It is a serious concern
for many organizations advocating for social justice. The Church worldwide and the migrant
church in Durban South Africa in particular, is called to be among the defenders and promoters of
migrants’ social integration; integration which will bring forth migrants’ social and economic
contribution to the development of Durban’s social and economic life.
This view of this study is that in the post-apartheid period sufficient attention has not been paid
by the South African government, policy-makers and the church in the welcoming and protection
of migrants who have “flooded” the country. The lack of preparedness has resulted in migrants
being used as scapegoat by some South Africans on the pretext that they lower the country’s
social life, steal national citizens’ jobs and commit crime. This growing social and economic
discomfort in South Africa resulted in xenophobic violence in May 2008.
The dissertation surveys migrants’ challenges in South Africa and Durban in particular. It
explores the response of a migrant Pentecostal church called Faith Ministries Durban (FMD) to
these challenges, as well as its contribution to the promotion of Congolese migrants’ social
integration. The study further explores, among other aspects, the theology of migration. This
exploration is a call to theologians to advocate for migrants’ care and rights so that they may
not endure discrimination, abuse and struggle because of them being outsiders. Migrants have
to benefit equal rights as fellow South Africans. From the life narratives of ten FMD’s
members, the study explores FMD’s role in the lives of its migrant members. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M. Th. (Missiology)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:uir.unisa.ac.za:10500/9923 |
| Date | 11 1900 |
| Creators | Nzwiba, Mubili |
| Contributors | James, Genevieve Lerina, Kritzinger, J. N. J. (Johannes Nicolaas Jacobus), 1950- |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Dissertation |
| Format | 1 online resource (xii, 159 leaves) |
| Rights | University of South Africa |
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