“ If you have come to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.”

We may not have physically stolen money or possessions from our disadvantaged brothers and sisters, but we had the privilege of having jobs reserved for us and that is how we gathered together most of our wealth. People of colour never had this privilege and are therefore still suffering from the results of such an offensive practice. And we are still benefiting. As with Zacchaeus who gave his ill-gotten gains away after he met Jesus and was made aware of his sin, we too have the privilege of being able to give money into a Restitution Foundation that has already been set up. We can move into smaller houses, buy smaller cars, give up the planned holiday or spend time passing on skills. We can twin our more affluent suburb churches to ones that are struggling in the townships, make funds available and in this way relieve the pressure on the pastors there. We have to make sure that we do this without a patronising attitude, but must humbly ask whether it would be okay to make restitution to them. The whole point of restitution is righting a wrong and the attitude with which we do it is very important. Angela Kemm, Pastoral Team, Jubilee Community Church

If the white church is to be responsive to the claims of Jesus and as 1 Corinthians 12 states that if one member of the body suffers, so shall the rest suffer with them, then I think it needs to disband and re-emerge within the community of people who have a history of brokenness—to join the black churches. For me, that is the heart of restitution. It's a golden opportunity. Imagine what the world would say if they could see that the white church in South Africa shows that it will NOT tolerate a divided church.

The white church seems misguided in its compassion. Sincere compassion is unwaveringly committed to seeing things change. Misguided compassion goes as far as prayer rallies, intercession and weeks of giving—this is not genuine restitution. Until we can truly say, “I choose to become an answer to your prayer,” there is not going to be restitution in this country. Our children are going to find it difficult to get on if we don't deal with this now.

I am aware that this is a human phenomenon. It boils down to selfish nature. If the tables were turned, the black community would be as selfish as the white church is today. But we cannot be soft on these issues. As long as I am seeing this gaping wound in the township, I cannot change my harsh language. Let's not forget who the victims are, those brothers and sisters living in squalor while their Christian counterparts live in luxury. Xola Skosana, Pastor, Way of Life Church, Khayelitsha

In the past, people did receive opportunities that people of other colours did not have access to. We, as the broader church community, need to lead the process of reconciliation and restitution, and be there for those who are still in poverty. I think it's vital that we all share what we have gained with our broader community. We are not saying, “Sell your house and give the money away and you'll be left with nothing,” but if you have more than enough, give some away. Some of our fellow Christians spend money without a thought for those who have nothing. There are still people with two or three houses, while others have no decent place to live. Why not sell one and share the money, or give our second or third house away? It's not God's heart that some of our brothers and sisters have three houses, while others have none.

I would love to see the leaders of white churches listen to the voices of those who still suffer from the after-affects of apartheid. Churches who want to make a difference must come together and help one another, to hear what God is telling us and how we can go about making genuine restitution. If we don't, how are we going to move forward? Lydia Mhlanga, Senior leader, Khanyisa Community Church