Die Arbeit der Evangelische Kommission für das südliche Afrika (EKSA) und der Dialog- und Studiengruppe (DSG) als Beispiele eines transnationalen theologischen und politischen Netzwerks (=The Work of the Evangelical Commission for Southern Africa (EKSA) and the Southern Africa Dialogue and Study Group (DSG) as Examples of Transnational Theological and Political Networks)

Gräper Moritz

Abstract

This chapter tries to present t he „E vangelische Kommission für das S üdliche Afrika" (EKSA) and the "Dialogue and Study Group" (DSG) as two different but connected transnational, political and theological networks. First it draws an outline of the circumstances of the foundation of both groups and sketches their respective function. In a second step three examples of the work of the EKSA (support of court costs during the trial against Be yers Naudé and other Christian Institute's associates; the object of uniting all Lutheran churches in Southern Africa with no regard to color of skin; the ongoing discussions between EKD and German companies producing in South Africa) are used to highlight the potential and the limits of EKSA's involvement in the opinion- and policy-making process of the EKD. In conclusion this paper argues that a) due to the historically grown relationships to German-speaking white churches and b) the big gap between EKSA 's opinion on Southern African issues and reality as well as attitudes in the white Lutheran churches in Namibia and South Africa the effects of the work at EKSA have not been very visible compared to grassroot initiatives such as the "Früchteboykott". EKSA's most valuable contribution as an official committee of the EKD and other church organisations to the South Africa-work in Germany was gathering and communicating high quality and authentic information to its member organizations. In comparison it was easier for the DSG as an inofficial forum for dialogue to communicate strong opinions and to endure different perspectives among its members because the group did not have an official status.