Synagogue trip costs arm and leg

A two-week trip to televangelist TB Joshua's Synagogue Church of All Nations in Nigeria cost a Durban pastor R13000.

But that was in 2006 and he expects that cost to have risen dramatically since then.

Pastor Vusi Khumalo, of the VK Healing and Evangelistic Ministries, in Umlazi, Durban, said agents in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and Western Cape coordinate the trips organising visas, flights, accommodation and meals.

He said the church's guest house provided dormitory- style accommodation with 10 people sharing a room.

Voxismart Travel, in Polokwane, Limpopo, guarantees those travelling to the synagogue "an amazing experience" at R8000 a person sharing accommodation.

According to several reports, South Africans - such as EFF leader Julius Malema, ANC stalwart Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and former Springboks Jaco van der Westhuizen and Ruben Kruger - made trips to the church.

Kruger died of brain cancer 10 years after Joshua claimed to have cured him.

Nigeria's The Faith Tabernacle is believed to be Africa's biggest church with a seating capacity of 50000.

Preachers and purses

God is big business in Nigeria. Here is a list of the wealthiest Nigerian "superpastors" as compiled by Forbes.com in 2011.

• Bishop David Oyedepo, Living Faith World Outreach Ministry. Net worth: $150-million;
• Chris Oyakhilome, Believers Loveworld Ministries. Net worth: $30-million to $50-million;
• Temitope "TB" Joshua, The Synagogue Church of All Nations. Net worth: $10-million to $15-million;
• Matthew Ashimolowo, Kingsway International Christian Centre. Net worth: $6-million to $10 -million.