Phenomenal growth of 'fast-food religion' in SA

23 December 2012 - 02:01 By ISAAC MAHLANGU
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ROCK STAR: Simon Mokoena presides over one of SA's fastest-growing churches with a membership of more than a million congregants
ROCK STAR: Simon Mokoena presides over one of SA's fastest-growing churches with a membership of more than a million congregants

THERE'S often talk about Apostle Simon Mokoena's impressive collection of shoes and cuff-links. But when he sits down for an interview with the Sunday Times in Sandton, he quickly lays down the law.

"I hope your article is not about the bag I'm carrying or where I am living. I hope it's about the church."

Mokoena, 50, is the founder of the country's fastest-growing church, the Tyrannus Apostolic Church, which boasts a million members across 1000 branches.

Started as a humble gathering in Qwaqwa, in the Free State 12 years ago, the church saw 3000 new members join its ranks each week and today it is a substantial entity.

The church has a factory which produces various wares it sells. In addition it also re-brands a range of products - from washing powder, fabric softener, bottled water to toilet paper - all branded "Apostle" .

Mokoena, who trained as a pastor at the Rhema Bible Church under Ray McCauley, graduated in 1986.

His following has by far outstripped that of Rhema, whose membership is at 45000. Mokoena uses a helicopter to travel to church branches, including some in neighbouring countries.

Yet, despite his huge following, Mokoena said he was struggling to get better time slots for his TV ministry.

"I'm paying millions [of rands] supporting the SABC - buying a slot there, shooting my episodes at the SABC studios - but my show is at 5.30am," he complained.

As a result, he has decided to discontinue his television ministry.

The church has hosted, among others, Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini and President Jacob Zuma. Mokoena said his church had to be relevant to the community he served.

"I was perturbed and disturbed in my spirit and asked myself what was the relevance of my church to black communities," Mokoena said.

"I asked myself if what I was doing was really what God wanted me to do or I was just copying what I saw at Rhema, where I was trained, and overseas at churches I visited."

Mokoena is among a breed of clergymen behind the explosion of churches in SA over the last 20 years.

Whether this growth is driven by the quest for spirituality or is simply a case of "fast-food religion", these churches have changed the way South Africans worship. Professor Sarojini Nadar of the University of KwaZulu-Natal's College of Humanities said there was a "search for a higher form of something" from more South Africans.

"I'm just not sure we can call it spirituality. It is a search for instant gratification and these types of churches provide for it," she said.

Nadar said churches were giving their members the same benefit they would get from being at a rock concert. "I am concerned that these new churches are all part of a quick-fix scheme. They are almost like fast-food religions," Nadar said.

Other than traditional mainstream churches, the big players are the Zion Christian Church (with an estimated 10 million adherents) and the Shembe Church (Amanazaretha) with more than five million members.

Other churches are growing fast.

The Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, which was established in 1977 by evangelist Pastor Edir Macedo in Brazil, is now among the biggest churches in SA, especially in rural areas. After the first mission was started in Bezuidenhout Valley in Johannesburg in 1992, Universal Church now has the Cenacle of the Holy Spirit in Soweto, with seating of around 7500.

The International Pentecostal Church, with an estimated membership of more than three million, was started in Meadowlands, Soweto, in 1962 by Frederick Modise. It has branches in neighbouring countries.

On Joburg's West Rand is the Little Falls Christian Centre, founded by Pastor Harold Weitsz. For first-time visitors, it may seem more like a hi-tech theatre with its sophisticated CCTV camera system, lighting and a R1-million sound system. When the Sunday Times visited recently, Weitsz encouraged the congregation to "give", reminding them that "24 new churches have been built across the world" with their donations.

The Oasis of Life Family Church in Daveyton, east of Benoni, regularly draws prominent people to its services. Founded by Isaac Sithole in 1987, the 3500-capacity building is air conditioned and also boasts a sophisticated CCTV system and an adjoining guesthouse for visitors.

Church spokesman Sir Montle said their members "take pride in the church building because they built it from their own pockets" . One of the fundraising tools was the church's "Buy-a-Brick" campaign.

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