Johane Masowe is a name attributed to fellowship and the white garment African church. Its founding can be traced back in 1932, in the Norton, Marimba park, Mashonaland West province, in Zimbabwe. It was founded by Shoniwa Masedza (born 1914– died 1973), an African preacher and religious leader.
The name "Johane Masowe" means "John of the Wilderness", and alludes to
John the Baptist
John the Baptist ( – ) was a Jewish preacher active in the area of the Jordan River in the early first century AD. He is also known as Saint John the Forerunner in Eastern Orthodoxy and Oriental Orthodoxy, John the Immerser in some Baptist ...
.
In 1932, Masowe suffered a long illness, and was unable to speak or walk. Afterwards, he believed he had been "sent from Heaven to carry out religious work among the natives". He initially had the nickname "Sixpence".
He proclaimed that the holy spirit Johane (John the baptist) was upon him to proclaim the Gospel to the Black Africans so that when they die, their spirits will be able to go to God Almighty in heaven. This was opposed to the African beliefs especially in Zimbabwe where the majority worshipped ancestors and followed the spirit mediums.
He spent the 1930s as an itinerant preacher throughout southern Africa, and settled in
Port Elizabeth
Gqeberha ( , ), formerly named Port Elizabeth, and colloquially referred to as P.E., is a major seaport and the most populous city in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It is the seat of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipal ...
in 1947.
Masowe's followers eventually created several different churches. These include the Masowe weChishanu Church (weChishanu referring to observing the
Sabbath
In Abrahamic religions, the Sabbath () or Shabbat (from Hebrew ) is a day set aside for rest and worship. According to the Book of Exodus, the Sabbath is a day of rest on the seventh day, Ten Commandments, commanded by God to be kept as a Holid ...
on Friday), and the Gospel of God Church, which observes Sabbath on Saturdays.
The term
Vapostori is used to describe those who follow the teachings of Masowe as well as some closely linked traditions.
Notes
References
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1914 births
1973 deaths
Religious leaders in Africa
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