Description
In contemporary global discussions about debt and justice, the voices and struggles of African activists and grassroots movements often remain marginalized. This paper seeks to address this gap by drawing on experiences of the Church Land Programme in South Africa. It thus challenges dominant Western narratives around debt and social justice by highlighting the entanglements of colonialism and empire in shaping contemporary worlds. By engaging with the work of the Church Land Programme, this paper explores the critical intersection of debt, land and social justice in the context of South Africa.Drawing on both activist knowledge and academic research, the paper aims to expand the conversation on justice by emphasizing the importance of African and Afro-descendant experiences and knowledges in the discourse on debt and reparations. By bringing grassroots movements into the center of the debate, the presentation argues for a broader, more inclusive understanding of justice that not only addresses economic disparities but also acknowledges the deep spiritual and cultural importance of land to marginalized communities. In doing so, it offers critical insights into how resistance to empire can forge new pathways toward social, economic, and spiritual justice.
