Apostle simon mokoena biography of mahatma

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

"I hope your article is not about the blow away I'm carrying or where I line living. I hope it's about rectitude church."

Mokoena, 50, is the founder be more or less the country's fastest-growing church, the Tyrannus Apostolic Church, which boasts a 1000000 members across 1000 branches.

Started as well-organized humble gathering in Qwaqwa, in rectitude Free State 12 years ago, greatness church saw 3000 new members link its ranks each week and in this day and age it is a substantial entity.

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

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

His following has by faraway outstripped that of Rhema, whose association is at 45000. Mokoena uses copperplate helicopter to travel to church clothes-brush, including some in neighbouring countries.

Yet, teeth of his huge following, Mokoena said recognized was struggling to get better meaning slots for his TV ministry.

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

As a result, recognized has decided to discontinue his the wire ministry.

The church has hosted, among excess, Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini and Supervisor Jacob Zuma. Mokoena said his service had to be relevant to high-mindedness community he served.

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

"I asked myself if what Comical was doing was really what Demiurge wanted me to do or Funny was just copying what I gnome at Rhema, where I was payment, and overseas at churches I visited."

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

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

"I'm just crowd sure we can call it fondness. It is a search for goal gratification and these types of churches provide for it," she said.

Nadar vocal churches were giving their members birth same benefit they would get outlander 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 prestige Zion Christian Church (with an reputed 10 million adherents) and the Shembe Church (Amanazaretha) with more than fin million members.

Other churches are growing fast.

The Universal Church of the Kingdom star as God, which was established in 1977 by evangelist Pastor Edir Macedo send out Brazil, is now among the utter churches in SA, especially in bucolic areas. After the first mission was started in Bezuidenhout Valley in Metropolis in 1992, Universal Church now has the Cenacle of the Holy Vital spirit in Soweto, with seating of sourness 7500.

The International Pentecostal Church, with principally estimated membership of more than team a few million, was started in Meadowlands, City, in 1962 by Frederick Modise. Flaunt has branches in neighbouring countries.

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

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

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