Bonsai Shongwe - Christianity, Colonialism And Race - Conversations With Gabriel
Gabriel Makin
-1hIn this episode Gabriel Makin is joined again by producer, pastor, and YouTuber, Bonsai Shongwe. The conversation starts on the question of the influence of the African National Congress (ANC) in South African churches. Bonsai explained that while the ANC used to hold huge sway over the politics of South Africa's churches, that influence has waned dramatically. Following this, the conversation turns to Gabriel and Bonsai’s frustrations surrounding the superficiality of modern South African political discussion. They lament that the country would be far better served people were better informed about the history of South Africa's Christian values. The conversation then broaches a more controversial topic as Gabriel and Bonsai discuss the relationship between South Africa's colonial past and its Christian tradition. They agree that one of the more destructive influences of the anti-colonial/de-colonial debate has been to rob black South Africans from recognising that they are a part of the moral tradition that ended slavery, birthed parliamentary democracy, and the idea of human rights. Gabriel even boldly suggests that the greatest legacy of South Africa's British colonial history is the spread of Christianity across the country. The conversation ends on the relationship between music and worship particularly in African Christian tradition. Bonsai explains how music is central to African Christian worship as African culture dramatises truth and music and therefore serves as the perfect medium for the transmission of truth.




