Negotiating the boundary

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Until 1994, the year South Africa experienced her first democratic elections, the country was notorious for its ruthless apartheid policy and its violent political climate. By then, the antagonism between the recently unbanned black political parties had reached its pathetic peak. Among those who had to bear the impact of intimidation, violence and murder were the Zulu Zionists. Being part of the African Independent Churches, Zulu Zionists have always been apolitical and against any form of violence. Yet, how were they able to uphold their religious principals and ideals in a time where being impartial meant to sympathise with the political adversary? During 22 months of fieldwork, the author observed how Zulu Zionists in the township of Kwa Mashu, Durban, "walked the tightrope" in order to maintain their identity as apolitical and peace loving christians. This thesis is an excellent account based upon able, meticulous and very difficult field research and upon deep scholarly knowledge.