Rachel C Schneider revisits an essay she wrote in 2014, examining the entanglement of religion and politics in South Africa ahead of the national election. Today, the political landscape has shifted, yet many struggles persist. Thirty years after apartheid, the utopian vision of a New South Africa—one that is inclusive, democratic, and racially just—remains just as elusive as ever. In 2024, 36.9 percent of South Africa’s Black African population is unemployed, and 45.5 percent of those aged 15-24 are jobless. Far too many Black South Africans continue to endure deplorable living conditions, a legacy of apartheid and colonialism.
Revisited: Jesus, religion, and revolution in the South African elections
