Black Theology of Liberation: Faith and socio-economic justice in South Africa’s struggles

The connection between faith and socio-economic justice in post-apartheid South Africa remains a critical area of discourse, requiring focused theological analysis. This article specifically examines how Black Theology of Liberation must evolve beyond its traditional role in resisting racial oppression to actively confront contemporary economic injustices. It addresses the challenges of poverty, systemic inequality and intra-black economic divisions in black townships and villages, emphasising their impact on health, education, social cohesion and economic mobility. Using the framework of Black Theology of Liberation, this study critically engages neoliberal capitalism, corporate exploitation and the failure of post-apartheid economic policies to deliver justice for marginalised black communities. It argues that a renewed Black Theology must move beyond historical racial struggles to actively challenge economic exclusion and demand redistributive justice, land reform and poverty alleviation. By narrowing its