Supervisors: Cobus Bothma; Abrie Vermeulen
Research field: Building Technology
Keywords: Temporality, Permanence, Pilgrimage, Ritual, African-Initiated Church
Abstract
Edlulayo explores architecture as a dynamic, responsive act rather than a static monument, drawing from African spatial traditions that prioritise temporality, ritual, and collective presence over Western ideals of permanence and enclosure.
Located in the rural heartland of KwaZulu-Natal, the project engages a landscape embedded in the cultural heritage of the Zulu nation, where tradition, ritual, and place remain closely intertwined. In response to the dominance of Westernised religion, African-Initiated Churches emerged to reclaim spiritual and cultural agency, becoming the largest religious group in South Africa.
The Nazareth Baptist Church, or Shembe, is one such group. Rooted in indigenous belief systems, Shembe blends Zulu tradition with Christian influence. Each year, thousands of followers undertake a barefoot pilgrimage to Nhlangakazi Holy Mountain, commemorating the church’s founding. There, they form a temporary settlement, spending three weeks in worship and ritual. After the pilgrimage, the mountain is vacated and returns to stillness. A small local community resides nearby year-round, yet faces ongoing challenges due to limited access to essential services and infrastructure.
Globally, architecture must reconsider how it allows for spatial fluctuation and change. Locally, however, communities like the Shembe remain underrepresented. Engagement with Shembe members revealed a desire to improve the pilgrimage experience, while surrounding residents expressed urgent needs for essential services. The Spatial Development Framework identifies rising interest in developing the mountain for tourism, and initial design discussions were previously undertaken but halted due to a division between factions. However, development discussions remain on the table. It is therefore essential to open a dialogue around what appropriate development might look like in this sacred context. This project aims to contribute to that conversation by visualising a culturally grounded and community-informed proposal for development that honours both the sacred landscape and the people who inhabit it.
By harnessing the mountain’s tourism potential, the creation of a Shembe Interpretation Centre would not only provide a platform for cultural representation but also enable the establishment of essential services and infrastructure. The centre aims to enhance the pilgrimage experience while addressing the needs of the surrounding community, offering a space that acknowledges and accommodates temporary devotion, provides for local residents, and welcomes visitors.
