Original Research

Morality in Africa: Yesterday and today The reasons for the contemporary crisis

B.J. van der Walt
In die Skriflig/In Luce Verbi | Vol 37, No 1 | a458 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/ids.v37i1.458 | © 2003 B.J. van der Walt | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 01 August 2003 | Published: 01 August 2003

About the author(s)

B.J. van der Walt, School of Social and Government Studies (Philosophy), Potchefstroom University for CHE, South Africa

Full Text:

PDF (101KB)

Abstract

We are experiencing the results of moral decline in South Africa and on the continent at large daily. Academics are also worried by this “moral vacuum”. It seems as if something important has disappeared and nothing good has replaced it. This article will, by way of introduction, mention some of the moral virtues of traditional Africa. They reveal a stark contrast with contemporary “morality”. The main emphasis will be on the possible reasons for the present moral decline, because knowledge about the causes may assist us in our search for solutions. By quoting extensively from African authors on the topic the article provides an in-depth look at the following reasons for the moral crisis: (1) some general characteristics of traditional morality, (2) inherent weaknesses in traditional morality and (3) different external influences. The article concludes with a few ideas of how the challenge of the moral crisis can be met from a Christian perspective.

Keywords

Africa Contemporary Crisis; Africa Traditional Characteristics; Ethics; Morality

Metrics

Total abstract views: 5819
Total article views: 46944

 

Crossref Citations

1. Young children’s conceptions of morality in a South African context
Melanie Y. Martin, Nithi Muthukrishna, Gugulethu M. Hlatshwayo
Journal of Psychology in Africa  vol: 31  issue: 1  first page: 69  year: 2021  
doi: 10.1080/14330237.2021.1876995

2. Becoming good in Africa: A critical appraisal of Stanley Hauerwas’ ecclesial ethic in the sub-Saharan context
Charles K. Bafinamene
Verbum et Ecclesia  vol: 38  issue: 1  year: 2017  
doi: 10.4102/ve.v38i1.1716

3. Guilt and Shame in Western and African Ethics: A Comparative Analysis
Philemon Ayibo
Philosophia Africana  vol: 20  issue: 1  first page: 19  year: 2021  
doi: 10.5325/philafri.20.1.0019

4. Creative uses of language to invoke sex-related taboos in Churchill Raw comedy shows
Simon Wanjala Nganga
The European Journal of Humour Research  vol: 11  issue: 2  first page: 88  year: 2023  
doi: 10.7592/EJHR.2023.11.2.821

5. Teaching Ethics in the Face of Africa’s Moral Crisis: Reflections from a Guest
Dr Benno van den Toren
Transformation: An International Journal of Holistic Mission Studies  vol: 30  issue: 1  first page: 1  year: 2013  
doi: 10.1177/0265378812468405

6. Shrines and Social Order in Ghana: A Study of Ŋuveh Shrine in Peki, Volta Region, Ghana
Michael Kwadwo Ntiamoah, Elysium Orison Ameyibor
E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences  first page: 128  year: 2023  
doi: 10.38159/ehass.2023423

7. Traditional healing and counselling services partnership in multicultural South Africa: A multiple case study
Petro van der Merwe
Journal of Psychology in Africa  vol: 29  issue: 6  first page: 638  year: 2019  
doi: 10.1080/14330237.2019.1695077

8. Moral Education in Tanzania: Analysis of Indigenous and Formal Education Systems
Amina Jumanne Seleman, Nkanileka Loti Mgonda
International Journal of Educational Reform  year: 2024  
doi: 10.1177/10567879241267978

9. AfricanUbuntu,the See-Reflect-Act Model, and Christian Social Practice: Reading Luke 10:38–42 in Light of African Hospitality
Elia Shabani Mligo
Diaconia  vol: 12  issue: 1  first page: 5  year: 2021  
doi: 10.13109/diac.2021.12.1.5

10. African and Western approaches to the moral formation of Christian leaders: The role of spiritual disciplines in counteracting moral deficiencies
Louise Kretzschmar
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies  vol: 76  issue: 2  year: 2020  
doi: 10.4102/hts.v76i2.5913