Restorative Justice as a missional call in South African intercultural context and beyond

• Published in: Koers (Potchefstroom, South Africa) Vol. 88; no. 1; pp. 1 - 12
• Main Author: Muswubi, Takalani
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Afrikaans; English
• Published: Noordbrug Koers Bureau for Scientific Journals 23-06-2023; Scriber Editorial Systems
• Subjects: Charities; Decision making; Ideology; intercultural context; Law; Missional call; Morality; Procedural justice; Prosperity; Restorative justice; Middle East; Israel
• ISSN: 0023-270X; 2304-8557
• DOI: 10.19108/KOERS.88.1.2562

Restorative justice tends to be a controversial issue. Millions of marginalized people across the planet who are in the vicious cycle of being underprivileged, have already lost any hope and sense of dignity, as they see unfairness in the justice system as well as in the socio-economic and political sphere of life. The concept of equality and equity add confusion as they are often mixed up and confused in their attempt to seek justice. The question is: what is the nature and significance of restorative justice? The misconception about restorative justice is one of the reasons for the lack of fulfilling this missional call. The reflection is done using the reformation framework, namely the framework involving creation, fall, redemption, and future consummation. Before the conclusion and recommendation, this article is set to discuss the nature, significance, scope, and role of the concept of restorative justice.
Contribution: This research deals with restorative justice as a missional call in the South African intercultural context and beyond. Both the lawmakers (and executors), and the underprivileged (and marginalized), need the way forward clarity and solution regarding the nature and the significance, scope, and role of the concept of restorative justice.