Who was Engenas Lekganyane? Founder of the Zion Christian Church
Engenas Lekganyane’s founding of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) in 1924 gave him a platform to impact lives. This legacy still resonates long after his death. His ability to bridge Christian teachings with ancestral wisdom and African identity still amazes many today.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Engenas Lekganyane was born around 1885 in the Haenertsburg area of the Transvaal (now Limpopo Province).
- He founded the Zion Christian Church after a vision in 1924.
- The late pastor was believed to possess spiritual powers, including faith healing and protection from evil.
- At the time of his passing in 1948, his church had over 50,000 members.
Profile summary
| Full name | Engenas Ignatius Lekganyane |
| Gender | Male |
| Date of birth | Circa 1885 |
| Age at death | 63 years old (estimated) |
| Year of death | 1948 |
| Place of birth | Haenertsburg, Transvaal Colony (now Limpopo Province, South Africa) |
| Nationality | South African |
| Ethnicity | Mamabolo (a Northern Sotho ethnic group) |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Sexuality | Heterosexual |
| Hair colour | Black |
| Mother | Sefora Raphela |
| Father | Barnabas Lekganyane |
| Relationship status | Polygamist |
| Wife | Salfina Rabodiba (senior) |
| Children | At least 5 sons, including Edward and Joseph |
| School | Anglican and Presbyterian mission schools |
| Profession | Religious leader, faith healer, founder |
Who was Engenas Lekganyane?
Engenas was the founder of Zion Christian Church. As Oxford Reference published, he was born around 1885 in Haenertsburg, then part of the Transvaal Colony in South Africa.
His parents were Barnabas Lekganyane and Sefora Raphela, and he belonged to the Mamabolo ethnic group. His mother’s family were among the first Mamabolo people to convert to Christianity, granting the opportunity to contribute towards establishing a Lutheran mission in 1879.
Source: Original
Exploring Engenas Lekganyane's educational history
As Academia published, he reportedly attended an Anglican mission school for three years after his family returned during the South African War. He also went to the Presbyterian primary school in the Mamabolo Reserve.
Exploring Lekganyane's family tree
Engenas Lekganyane was a polygamist, and the senior among his wives was Salfina Rabodiba. The couple had at least five sons, who became integral to the ZCC leadership structure.
Who founded the Zion Christian Church?
Engenas Lekganyane founded the church after he reportedly had a vision directing him to travel to Lesotho following a severe eye condition. Before his alleged vision, Langham Literature revealed that he joined the Apostolic Faith Mission, a Pentecostal movement.
He joined the Apostolic Faith Mission, where he was later baptised by triple immersion in Lesotho. This baptismal practice was common in Zionist churches and reportedly healed his eyesight.
In 1924, after a fallout with leaders of other Zionist movements, Lekganyane reportedly had another vision on Mount Thabakgone. He then left and formed the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) in the Limpopo Province of South Africa.
Source: Getty Images
What does the Zion Christian Church believe in?
The church focused on healing, spiritual power, and moral living. In the church's early days, Lekganyane allowed others to conduct healing sessions until 1930, when he solely performed spiritual healing as the church expanded.
He blessed water, paper, and clothing, which were believed to carry healing power. Some followers also believed he could protect them from witchcraft, crime, and illness, making him a central and powerful figure in religious and traditional life.
Why did the ZCC split?
The church split because the founder did not formally document instructions about who would take over after he passed. As GotQuestions published, two of his sons, Edward and Joseph, led factions after his passing in 1948.
Edward was elected to lead the church in 1949, and urban migrant members massively supported him. Rural followers supported Joseph because they believed Engenas Lekganyane chose him before he passed on.
Zion Christian Church is run by the founder's grandson, Bishop Barnabas Lekganyane, and St. Engenas Zion Christian Church is run by Bishop Engenas Joseph Lekganyane. What is more interesting is that both branches still have their headquarters in Moria, just a few kilometres apart.
Source: Getty Images
Frequently asked questions
- What powers did Engenas Lekganyane have? Many followers believed he had the power to heal the sick, protect against evil, and bring rain.
- How many children did Engenas Lekganyane have? There are at least five sons of Lekganyane, including Edward and Joseph.
- Who is the father of Engenas Lekganyane? His father was Barnabas Lekganyane, and his mother was Sefora Raphela.
- What are the rules of the ZCC church? Members are discouraged from drinking alcohol, smoking, eating pork, and using drugs.
- What does ZCC stand for? ZCC stands for Zion Christian Church and is among the most famous religious organisations in southern Africa.
Engenas Lekganyane remains an influential religious figure in South Africa’s history. The church he founded in 1924 has become one of the largest religious movements in Africa. Despite its later division, the church thrives, drawing millions of faithful followers across Africa.
READ ALSO: A-Z list of churches in South Africa
As Briefly.co.za published, Christians form a major spiritual group in South Africa, leading to more churches. They promote Christian values and provide spiritual support to their communities.
How many churches are in the country today, with the increase in those who profess to follow biblical doctrines? Discover a list of churches in the country, including those in Johannesburg and Pretoria.
Source: Briefly News
