Power and Democracy in Post-Conflict Namibia: A Case Study of the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia

During the War of Liberation era, many black and progressive churches in Namibia were proponents of liberation theology. Bound together by suffering, oppression, and persecution, liberationists affirmed the God-given value and dignity of black identity and black people. These institutions spoke out against injustice on behalf of the voiceless and initiated relief projects for the poor. In the post-independence era (1990-present), I argue that, with the exception of the black Lutheran Church's BIG project, it is the women of the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia who are now doing liberation theology by the ways in which they lift up and organize around the God-given dignity of poor and indigenous people. To do this, they are combining womanist, women-centered organizing with elements of black consciousness in order to reduce poverty and transform themselves into the most powerful poor people's organization in Namibia. This book is written for poor people, community organizers, practical theologians, sociologists, social workers, faith communities, and others who strive to reduce poverty and do justice with the poor.