Microsoft Word - PhD Thesis Final.pdf - University of Limpopo ...

forms by different groups. As much as man is naturally religious, there are
religious affiliations he subscribes to, while others are being exposed and
imposed to him. Today in the Makgabeng area, people are affiliated to
different religions. Because of the freedom of religion which is enshrined in
the new South Africa’s constitution, people freely express their religious
identities. Those who believe in African ancestral worship are beginning to
gain confidence which had been suppressed for an extensive period of time
by western influences. The revival of Black values under the Black-led
government at macro-level resulted in Blacks regaining confidence in their
ways of lives, including the expression of their religious beliefs.
The advent of missionary teachings of the Gospel had disrupted much of
the African religious beliefs. The imposition of Christian teachings in Black
schools also created the impression that Christianity was the only religion
on earth. In the Makgabeng area, just like in the whole of South Africa,
people are today free and proud to express their African ancestral religious
identity. Holding traditional religious ceremonies publicly is no longer
frowned at and it has become a common sight in the Makgabeng area.
People can proudly express themselves as ancestral worshippers without
fear of public scorn.
In addition to African ancestral worshipping, Christianity is another dominant
religious identity in the Makgabeng area. Christianity has its roots in the
arrival of missionaries, not only in Makgabeng, but also in the whole of
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