Churches and NGO’s in partnership with government against corruption : a Pastoral study in the South African context

Abstract

According to research conducted in South Africa, corruption has become the worst enemy that is undermining the rights of South Africans, especially the rights of the poor. The researcher realised that it is of vital importance that this type of problem within South Africa needs urgent attention. The intention of this study is to find effective ways for the churches and NGOs in partnership with the government to work together in their fight against corruption in South Africa. After realising the seriousness of the matter, the researcher deemed it to be a need for the country to find not only ways, but rather more effective measures that can help in the fight against corruption. If this matter of corruption is not treated as a matter of urgency, it will destroy a well-fought democracy, and it will lead to the downfall of the South African economy. South Africa has enough resources to support all citizens; unfortunately, corruption is taking most resources that were meant for the development of the country and these are used for personal or private gain. Chapter 1 serves as an introduction and provides a clear definition of corruption. It provides the background as to whether corruption exists or not. Osmer (2008) was used in order to achieve the main aim of finding ways on how best corruption can be rooted out. Chapter 2 is the descriptive empirical task, which consisted of priestly listening, where people were informally interviewed and the information gathered was analyzed. The strategy of enquiry will be life history or narrative research, and case study research. Narrative research focuses on gathering and telling the stories of individuals. Data is gathered through conversations during which people share stories of events in their lives (Osmer, 2008).The method of research will be through interviews, i.e. gathering of verbal data by asking questions. Chapter 3 deals with the interpretive task, and a selective literature study of the human sciences was conducted on criminology and sociology. Chapter 4 consists of the following principles: firstly, God is revealed as a God who provides for His creation. He also wants men to be stewards - servants who serve the people. He gave the government power to rule the country and use the available resources not for private gain, but to help all citizens for the betterment of all South Africans. He also wants His people to work and not to steal. He prohibits all people from stealing or taking one's properties. Secondly, the church must not keep quiet when corruption is taking place in the workplace, both in the private and public sectors. They must speak out in order to curb corruption. Church leaders must teach and preach against corruption practices, and they have to blow the whistle whenever they come across any act of corruption. The government's role in this regard is to punish all who are involved in the corrupt activities. Chapter 5 is the pragmatic task, which is concerned with servant leadership. Chapter 6 provides a summary and conclusion