South Africa
Population 48,600,000 | Ethno-religious 14% |
AIDS Among Adults 14% | Evangelical 21% |
Overview
South Africa is the most diverse nation in Africa, encompassing a vast array of cultures and languages. Along with South Africa's population from black African ancestry (80 percent), the country hosts Africa's largest communities of people from European, Asian, and multiethnic descent. Its constitution recognizes eleven official languages: two from European origins (English and Afrikaans, a derivative of Dutch) and nine from indigenous Bantu origins. South Africa's landscape is just as diverse, containing everything from dry deserts, to high mountains, to lush coastlands, with typical African wildlife populating this dramatic scenery. The diversity is also seen in the gulf between its classes. Although South Africa has the largest economy and the fifth highest per capita income in Africa, almost 25 percent of its population lives in abject poverty, surviving on less than $1.25 per day. Multiplying the complexity of the nation, South Africa's democratic government is housed in three separate capital cities: Pretoria (executive), Bloemfontein (judicial), and Cape Town (legislative).
The South African government permits freedom of religion, and in recent years, the country's emphasis on diversity has taken on pluralistic overtones in elevating non-Christian faiths such as Islam, Hinduism, and ethnic African religions. In spite of these relatively new developments, plus older issues like the lingering effects of apartheid, the church in South Africa has a rich history of mission endeavors throughout all of Africa and even the world. Biblical Christianity remains vital and strong in some places and continues to be an influential force in South Africa. Doctrinal, racial, and spiritual unity are needed, though, for a Church with the great mission challenges that come with living in a post-Christian society.
Sources: Wikipedia, Joshua Project, and Operation World
HeartCry Missionaries
Mario Maneville
Pastor – Bellville, Cape Town, South Africa
Mario has been serving as an elder at Reformed Faith Mission Community Church in Cape Town, South Africa, since 2013. RFMCC was initially planted by Mario's ... read more
Quinton Maneville
Pastor – Bellville, Cape Town, South Africa
Quinton started Reformed Faith Mission Community Church in 2010 in the neighborhood where he grew up. His brother, Mario, came to help him in 2013 ... read more
Tsholofelo Kukuni
Pastor – Bloemfontein, South Africa
Tsholofelo serves as pastor of Hope Bible Church in Bloemfontein, South Africa. He is a graduate of Christ Seminary in Polokwane. Tsholo has a strong desire... read more
Chris Mnguni
Church Planter – Daveyton, South Africa
Chris is a graduate of Christ Seminary in Polokwane and is Zulu in ethnic heritage. He and his wife, Happy, are planting Grace Baptist Church in Daveyton, a township in... read more
Bheki Bembe
Pastor – Olieven, Centurion, South Africa
Bheki Bembe is the pastor of Sovereign Grace Bible Church in Olieven, a township of Centurion on the northern side of Johannesburg. For years, Bheki has sacrificially ... read more
Sizwe Maseti
Church Planter – Khayelitsha, Cape Town, South Africa
Sizwe is a graduate of Bible Institute of South Africa in the Cape area, and is Xhosa by heritage. He and his wife, Sethu, are planting Makhaza Reformed Baptist Church... read more
Karabo Msiza
Pastor – Rustenburg, South Africa
After completing his studies at Christ Seminary in Polokwane, Karabo was called to pastor Central Baptist Church in Rustenburg. Rustenburg is a major mining town... read more
Sandi Sonteya
Church Planter – Blue Downs, Cape Town, South Africa
Sandi and his wife, Zimbini, are planting Northside Baptist Church in the eastern area of Cape Town known as Blue Downs and Kuilsriver. This area is multi-ethnic...read more
Sammy Leballo
Pastor – Soweto, South Africa
In 2014, Midrand Chapel sent Sammy to pastor Moletsane Baptist Church in Soweto. Soweto is the largest township in Johannesburg...read more