Born Free? Born Free for What? Exploring the Lived Experiences of Christian Young Adults in South Africa Regarding Inequality and Social Justice

South Africa is one of the world’s most unequal nations. The legacy of Apartheid remains dire, as the sharp divide between the rich whites and poor Blacks remains. This chapter examines inequality in South Africa. By focusing on the experiences of religious youth in Stellebosch, a town in the Western Cape, the chapter lays bare the impact of religion on inequality. It highlights the extent to which young adults feel alienated by current political processes and draws attention to the need for churches to be actively involved in developing theologies that will be liberating for young people. The chapter expresses the hope that churches might play an important role in addressing inequality in South Africa. However, they will need to be more deliberate and creative if they are to achieve this goal.

South Africa is currently ranked as the most unequal nation in the world by the World Bank, with high rates of racially skewed poverty and inequality still largely a legacy of the past (Baker 2019: 1–11). For many young South Africans born either just before or after the demise of apartheid, termed ‘Born Frees’, the
ongoing realities of poverty and inequality bring to light the question of whether they are truly ‘free’ in a post-apartheid era (Mattes 2012: 133; Malila 2013: 4–7; cf. Nwadeyi 2019). Their lived experiences of inequality, views on issues such as reconciliation and restitution, as well as their own understanding of their role in societal change are, therefore, important to understand against this backdrop. Furthermore, how do Christian ‘Born Frees’ understand and interpret these issues in light of scripture and their lived experiences within community and church?...