This is the first biography of Engenas Lekganyane (c. 1885–1948), the legendary founder of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC). Lekganyane founded the ZCC in 1925 and by the time of his death had built up an organization of some 50,000. Today, under the direction of his family, the ZCC has some 6 million+ members and is Africa's biggest church.

During his lifetime, Lekganyane was never mentioned in any newspaper or publication. Nor did he or his followers leave behind any writing.

Dr Morton has located numerous previously unknown sources related to the life of Engenas Lekganyane, and brings his whole career to life for the first time. Starting from his birth on a mission station in the eastern Transvaal, the narrative moves to his formative experiences in a number of different Pentecostal and Zionist churches.

The early history and theology of the church are then laid out, along with detailed accounts of its growth in neighboring countries. Finally, surprising new facts are revealed relating to the ZCC split following Engenas's death in 1948.

Barry Morton

Books