The besieged ZCC :: Mmegi Online

The merging of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) branches in Botswana, which the church’s spiritual leader, the Right Reverend Bishop Barnabas Edward Lekganyane said will help him prepare for the installation of the church minister in the country, has elicited so much row that the warring factions have been incessantly battling it out in the courts of law. At worst, a Botswana ZCC branch was on September 3 sent packing from Moria back to Botswana for defying the merging process. Mmegi Staff Writer RYDER GABATHUSE and Correspondent HOSIA TSHWARELO follow the story

Three key events matter in the life of the Zion Christian Church. These are the Easter holidays, the opening of a new year in September and the Christmas festival.

It is the wish and aspiration of every Zionist, rich or poor to make it to Moria at least once a lifetime. Only affluent members are able to visit the church headquarters with monotonous regularity but many cannot afford this. A pilgrimage to Moria means everything to the ZCC members just as the Vatican City is to the Roman Catholic Church. The about 15 million-people strong church, located 40 km outside Polokwane, South Africa attracts pilgrims within and from neighboring countries like Botswana.

Already have an active account? Log in here.

Or Sign up and get unlimited access to premium articles.