Abstract:
Jesus’ option for the poor should be reclaimed in a clear theological and ecclesial option for
the dumping sites of our cities and towns. That is the basic proposal of this article. Reflecting
upon three different dumping sites – different in size, age and history – this article will explore
the central thread of material and human waste, often dealt with almost as synonymous,
concentrated and overlapping in these marginal spaces. It will additionally explore the
theological and ecclesial challenges, but also possible opportunities, visions and gifts
presented by them. The paradoxical (and sometimes toxic) interconnectedness between waste
management and sanitised cities will be considered, as well as its relation to mediating or
denying human dignity. The stories of Smokey Mountain in Manila, the Zabbaleen community
in Mokattam Village, Cairo, and the Hulene Dump in Maputo, will be presented as part of this
reflection. They will be read as mirrors to the proliferation of similar dumping sites on the
fringes of South African cities. An outline is offered for a theological-ecclesial praxis emerging
from the dumping sites, as well as a retrieval of possible contributions from these sites to the
broader urban public theological reflection.
Description:
This article was first read as a
paper at the annual meeting
of the Practical Theological
Society in Pretoria, South
Africa, held from 22−24
January 2014. The theme of
the meeting was ‘Practical
theology in Africa and human
waste’.
