SOUTH AFRICA: Thousands of Shembe religious sect followers trek barefoot to sacred mountain on annual pilgrimage

Thousands of Shembe religious sect followers turned up for their annual pilgrim to the sacred Nhlangakazi mountain, where they believe their prophet, Isaiah Shembe first made convenant with God in 1913. "When we go to the mountain, we are commemorating that event, that 1913 event, where God made a covenant with Shembe that he is now amongst the African people," said Mthembeni Mpanza, a Shembe preacher. Draped in white and barefooted and carrying traditional sticks, the Shembe faithful, brave the morning cold and afternoon heat as they snake through the bushes. The journey to the top of the sacred Nhlangakazi mountains takes over three days, with the followers stopping for a few minutes to say prayers. During the pilgrimage, the Shembe take part in hypnotic, trance-like dance, with the men leading the way and women and children following. Members of the sect believe that, by being faithful to this tradition, their prayers and wishes will always be granted. "Every time when I come here asking for something, when I walk I pray, I talk to my ancestors, I talk to my God, and really it does happen, every day and every time to all the people," said Zama Zuma, a Shembe pilgrim. There are over 4.5 million Shembe followers. South Africans are the majority while the rest come from the neighbouring countries of Swaziland, Botswana and Zimbabwe. The church is currently led by Phrophet Isaac's fourth successor who is believed to be a miracle performer. The sect preaches Christian values mixed with African traditions, insisting that western Christianity is only good for western traditional values. At the end of the long trek up the mountain, the Shembe faithful get an opportunity to meet their prophet and to be healed and blessed by him. The pilgrimage attracts an increasing number of followers each year.

ITN Source | January 11, 2007

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