Religious freedom and religious pluralism in Africa

The struggle for freedom of religion has also often been linked to the fight for other rights and freedoms. In other words, how freedom of religion is respected in a country is often an indicator how other rights are respected. The reasons for denying freedom of religion are often the same reasons that are used to deny other freedoms and rights, such as violation of human dignity in terms of denying the equal status and value of every human being. On the basis of the family metaphor, one could ask the following questions: Is freedom of religion really a distinct member with a secure footing in the family of rights? Is the right to freedom of religion benefical for the human rights family? Hans-Ingvar Roth, Professor of Human Rights, Institute for Turkish Studies (SUITS), Stockholm University While the new atheism dominates public discourse in some sections of western societies, Africa shows a different social pattern of an increasing public role of religion, particularly in the political and economic spheres. There is a marked increase in the insertion and assertiveness of religion in public life in many African postcolonial states. A new class of religious elites has emerged, straddling the social and political domain and liaising with the political class in the provision of services that some social actors consider important in navigating the affairs of state. The activities of this class of political prophets point to the shaky foundations upon which the postcolonial state in Africa was founded and exists. The relationship between the state and religion in Africa is complex. Asonzeh Ukah, Senior Lecturer, Department of Religious Studies, University of Cape Town While the government of Zimbabwe has taken keen interest in eliminating child marriages, it appears that the most effective barrier to achieving this noble outcome is the existing legislation that, in fact, condones or passively promotes child marriages ... It is a delicate balance, because government of Zimbabwe is aware of the practice of child marriage as a traditional, cultural or religious practice. It is aware of the religious groupings that practice child marriages. Freedom of religion is constitutionally protected ... In all of this, the government of Zimbabwe, like any other government where child marriage is practised, is caught between a rock and a hard surface - namely, to balance the need to observe freedom of religion and its inherent practices and the need to protect children from harmful practices. Tarisai Mutangi, Associate Researcher, Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria Though liberation from apartheid has the best achievement in the struggle of the black people of South Africa to reach holistic liberation, this is still an uphill journey. The realisation of the liberation of the previously oppressed in South Africa is still a process, and many layers that have caused deep wounds in South African society are still not yet removed ... Forgiveness can be permanent if the road travelled by both former oppressor and oppressed has been honest, open and is not based on racial, gender, class and geographical divides. Forgiveness can be practical and honest, if there is recognition of common humanity and of unity in diversity. Nokuzola Mndende, Director, Icamagu Institute, South Africa