Edward Lekganyane

Edward Lekganyane, popularly known as "Kgoshi Edward" (1922-21 October 1967), was the leader of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) from Easter Sunday, April 17, 1949, until his death eighteen years later. During this time he used his charisma and organizational abilities to expand the ZCC from about 50,000 to 600,000[1] members, while also reshaping numerous facets of the church. During his tenure as bishop, the ZCC emerged as South Africa's largest independent church, while Lekganyane became arguably the wealthiest and most powerful African in apartheid-era South Africa.

Early Life and Career

Edward was the second-born son of Engenas Lekganyane and his senior wife, Salfina Rabodiba, and was born in Thabakgone in the Mamabolo Reserve east of Polokwane. Although his exact birth date is unknown, he is known to have been born during a smallpox epidemic that led his father to quarantine his household for some time.[2] At this time, Engenas Lekganyane was the Transvaal leader of the Zion Apostolic Faith Mission church, led by Edward Lion, who he named his son after. Edward was then educated by his father at private schools in the area, eventually obtaining Standard 5.[3] As one of five legitimate sons of Engenas Lekganyane, he was one of two brothers seen as a potential successor by his father (the other being his youngest brother, Joseph, b. 1931).

Assuming Control of the ZCC

Following the death of Engenas Lekganyane in June 1948, members of the Zion Christian Church were split regarding the appointment of his heir. Engenas himself had never been clear about the succession.

Edward, on the death of his father, returned to the ZCC headquarters of Zion City Moriah and began to lobby for his appointment as the new bishop. By this time he was viewed as the natural successor of Engenas Lekganyane by most of the ZCC's membership on the Witwatersrand. During his years as a driver, Edward had had the ability to interact continuously with the leadership and membership of the ZCC's urban ranks—which outnumbered its rural base.

On 1 June 1949 thousands of ZCC members assembled at the church's headquarters in Moria to vote for their leader of choice between Edward and his uncle, Paulus. The election of the leader or bishop was overseen by " sergeant Kotzee" of the then South African police and multiracial constables. Edward received the most votes since most of the ZCC members were from the Witwatersrand where he had the most support and was the preferred successor of Engenas there. Less than two weeks after the election, Edward Lekganyane was declared the winner and was installed as the bishop of the ZCC church.

Edward's urban supporters, who chanted "Eddy ke morena ka sebele" and who performed the stomping "mokhukhu" dance,[7] further supported Edward's installation as Bishop east at the Zion Christian Church Easter ceremonies in 1949. At this event, Edward's uncle, Reuben, who had been estranged from Engenas, installed Edward on behalf of the authority of the church and the Lekganyane family.[8]

Early Leadership of the ZCC

Edward became an active evangelist for the ZCC, ending a period in which such activities had been reduced following his father's ill-health in the mid-1940s. On most weekends, Edward travelled to the townships in the Witwatersrand, driving in a fleet of fancy cars, where he was met by large crowds of church members and his brass band. They then marched through townships, dancing and singing in their regalia, before finally preaching to the assembled masses. In this way, ZCC membership grew quite dramatically in urban areas. Typically, Edward preached against the use of both witchcraft and modern medicine, alcohol and drugs, and urged people to live godly, Christian lives.[8]

Edward instituted several crucial changes in ZCC practices. First, he created the "Mokhukhu" organization within the church, to which all men were expected to belong. This group met twice-weekly at prescribed times in its military-style uniforms, and danced for hours in the "mokhukhu" stomping style. According to one interpretation, the function of the mokhukhu was to make rural-urban migrants more disciplined and hireable by employers, thus gaining them an advantage in the competitive job market.[10]

A second change, instituted in late 1952, was to make the ZCC's preaching far more politically conservative. Prior to this time, the Lekganyanes had clashed with rural chiefs and had done everything they could to escape involvement with the government and white authorities. Edward, meanwhile, had often spoken bitterly of racism. But after 1952, with the National Party in power and apartheid entrenched, Edward decided to make peace with the government. He told his followers not to join the African National Congress or any anti-government party. Additionally, he demanded that his followers contract marriages formally through the paying of bridewealth for the first time, a move that buttressed the control of rural chiefs over their followers.[11]

Later Life and Career

During his tenure as leader the Zion Christian Church built up its international membership. Large congregations developed in Lesotho, Swaziland, and Botswana. The biggest international section, based in Zimbabwe, which had been part of the church since its founding in 1925, ultimately split from Edward's control in 1962 over a number of issues.

In 1963 Edward was able to enroll at the Stofberg Theological School, run by the Dutch Reformed Church, where he graduated from after three years of training.[15] Although he subsequently aimed to reform the ZCC's theology, his death came too soon for him to make substantive changes.

After Edward died of a heart attack suddenly in late 1967, he was succeeded by his son Barnabas.

He is still loved and respected by his followers in death.

reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Lekganyane