Kwasizabantu

Kwasizabantu Mission
AbbreviationKSB
Formation1970
FounderErlo Hartwig Stegen
TypeNon-denominational Christian mission
PurposeReligious, educational, charitable
HeadquartersKwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Region served
International
Websiteksb.org.za

Kwasizabantu (also KwaSizabantu, Kwa Sizabantu), meaning "where people are helped", is a non-denominational church mission originating in South Africa, which has grown to include centres in several countries.[1]

This mission station is situated on a farm of 550 hectares between Greytown and KwaDukuza (also known as Stanger) in KwaZulu-Natal, and is currently one of the largest and most successful mission stations in Africa.[2][3] The Mission has a few non-profit initiatives, as well as some successful commercial enterprises which fund its activities.

Current Structure and Operations

Today, Kwasizabantu operates as a largely self-sustaining organization with a diverse portfolio of activities in multiple countries.

Nonprofit Initiatives

Radio Khwezi

Established in 1995,[4] this community radio station broadcasts religious content and community programs. It is available on FM 90.5 and 107.7 in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands region and online worldwide. Radio Khwezi broadcasts a variety of programs aimed at informing and edifying the community. The Sunday services of Kwasizabantu Mission are broadcast live from 11h00 South African time.

Emseni Care Centre

Opened in August 2006, it provides free care and counselling to HIV and AIDS patients. Some reports claim that patients have fully recovered and are HIV-free today, though such claims remain disputed."Articles by or about Kwasizabantu Mission". KwaSizabantu Mission. 20 March 2014.

Commercial Enterprises

aQuellé Water

One of the mission's most successful commercial ventures, aQuellé produces and markets bottled water locally and internationally."aQuellé".

Saverite supermarket

A supermarket on the premises with its own bakery and deli where produce from other mission run enterprises can be purchased.

Agricultural Projects

The mission operates 8.5 hectares of greenhouses for hydroponic[5] sweet peppers and extensive avocado farms. Produce is packaged on-site for major retailers such as Woolworths, Checkers, and Spar."Kwasizabantu - the place where people are helped". 23 July 2014. Some of the produce is exported, and dairy products are marketed through the Bonlé brand."Bonlé". bonle.co.za.

Educational Institutions

[6] The mission is affiliated with a primary and secondary school, Domino Service School, and a teacher-training college, Cedar International Academy.[7]

Domino Servite School

Founded in 1986,[8] is a private co-educational academic Christian school that caters to both day scholars and boarders in pre-primary, primary and high school.

Cedar International Academy

Founded in 1994,[9] as Cedar Training College and later Cedar College of Education is a teacher training college. between 2002 and 2015 it operated as a satellite campus of first Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education and later North West University. currently the college operates as Cedar International Academy and is an independent Private Higher Education Institution providing a HEQC accredited Bachelor of Education (BEd) program in Foundation Phase Teaching[10]

History

Kwasizabantu Mission was founded in 1970 by Erlo Hartwig Stegen (1935–2023).[11] Stegen had been a travelling evangelist among the Zulu population of Natal since the 1950s up to 1970. In 1966–67, Stegen's efforts culminated in a revival, accompanied by mass conversions and miraculous healings . In 1970, its base was established at a place called KwaSizabantu (Zulu for "the place of help for people," or "the place where people are helped"). This became the ministry's eponym. Academic research indicates that the revival among the Zulus is close to other Protestant revivals.[12]

The founder of the KwaSizabantu Mission in Kranskop, the Reverend Erlo Hartwig Stegen, was named co-recipient of a major international award — the Robert W. Pierce Award for Christian Service — by World Vision International on 9 December 2007.[13] In 2013 Rev EH Stegen was awarded the Chancellor's Medal by the North-West University (NWU) for his humanitarian work among poor rural communities.

Allegations of abuse

On 19 September 2020, News24 released the results of a seven-month investigation into allegations of wrongdoing at Kwasizabantu Mission.[14] The alleged abuses included rape and sexual assault (also against children), exploitation of workers, and money laundering.[15] (DW) A key figure in the reporting was survivor Erika Bornman who would later publish an account of her experiences titled Mission of Malice.[16] Kwasizabantu replied, denying the allegations as a "smear campaign."[17]

As a reaction, the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL Rights Commission), the KwaZulu-Natal local authorities,[18] and the South African Human Rights Commission announced investigations.[19] Moreover, multiple brands, organisations, and events terminate or suspend their commercial partnerships with Kwasizabantu. Woolworths halted buying fruit and vegetable from Ensemi Farming (Source),[20] with Spar, Massmart and Food Lover's Market following suit.[21] Next to agricultural products, the boycott centred around the recall of aQuellé bottled water. On 25 September 2020, the Absa Cape Epic bike race dropped aQuellé as a sponsor.[22]

In July 2023, the CRL Rights Commission released the findings of its investigation. It concluded that the teachings, principles and rules of the community were within the scope of the freedom of religion. Moreover, the Commission emphasised that criminal allegations (such as rape or money laundering fell beyond its competence and should be made to the police.[23] However, the Commission did confirm that a member of the mission was serving jail time for rape that he had committed at Kwasizabantu; that corporal punishment had been practised but had ceased; and that virginity testing had been conducted with the permission of parents but now had ceased.[24] Kwasizabantuwas ordered to apologise to the survivors.[25]

Following the release of the CRL Rights Commission’s report, some individuals who had lodged complaints against Kwasizabantu leaders appealed the findings of the Commission.[26] On 15 December 2025, the Commission and the applicants issued a joint press statement which announced the withdrawal of the 2023 published report, the withdrawal of the applicant's appeal, the waiver of any claim for damages arising from the review proceedings, and their agreement to pursue a renewed, survivor-centred engagement framework.[27]

References

  1. ↑ "Erlo Hartwig Stegen: Pioneer, missionary and revival preacher in an apartheid South Africa". scholar.google.com. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  2. ↑ Fleischmann, Elfrieda Marie-Louise; Ferreira, Ignatius W.; Gouws, Claudia; Muller, Francois (30 December 2021). "Erlo Hartwig Stegen: Pioneer, missionary and revival preacher in an apartheid South Africa". Missionalia: Southern African Journal of Missiology. 49: 197–213. doi:10.7832/49-0-422. ISSN 2312-878X.
  3. ↑ "Kwasizabantu – JOY!".
  4. ↑ "Radio Khwezi".
  5. ↑ "Increased crop production all year round in perfect climate conditions - Munters". munters.com.
  6. ↑ "KwaSizabantu Mission". KwaSizabantu Mission.
  7. ↑ "Hermannsburg happenings". News24. 18 April 2018. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  8. ↑ "Domino Servite School - About".
  9. ↑ "Cedar International Academy - About".
  10. ↑ "Cedar International Academy - Programmes".
  11. ↑ "KwaSizabantu founder Erlo Stegen has died". news24. 26 September 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  12. ↑ Fleischmann, Elfrieda; Ferreira, Ignatius W; Muller, Francois (1 October 2021). "Protestant Revivals (Awakenings) and Transformational Impact: A Comparative Evaluation Framework Applied on the Revival among the Zulus (South Africa)". Transformation. 38 (4): 296–315. doi:10.1177/02653788211027269. ISSN 0265-3788.
  13. ↑ "Witness". News24. Archived from the original on 14 April 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  14. ↑ Petersen, Tammy; Karrim, Azarrah; Kohlstock, Aljoscha; Manyathi, Nokuthula (19 September 2020). "EXCLUSIVE | Exodus: Uncovering sexual crimes and missing millions at a KZN 'cult'". News24. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  15. ↑ Nebe, Cai (5 October 2020). "Kwasizabantu Mission scandal rocks South Africa". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  16. ↑ Bornman, Erika (1 August 2021). Mission of Malice: My exodus from KwaSizabantu. Penguin Random House South Africa. ISBN 978-1-77609-624-4.
  17. ↑ Petersen, Tammy (19 September 2020). "Exodus | 'A smear campaign' - KwaSizabantu's response to raft of allegations". News24. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  18. ↑ Mkhize, Nothando (22 September 2020). "KZN authorities confirm probe into KwaSizabantu Mission". East Coast Radio. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  19. ↑ "DEVELOPING | KwaSizabantu to appoint review panel after claims of human rights abuses". News24. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  20. ↑ Ramalepe, Phumi (22 September 2020). "KwaSizabantu 'cult': Woolworths halts buying from supplier, offers to help authorities". Business Insider SA. Archived from the original on 29 October 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  21. ↑ Ramalepe, Phumi; Wasserman, Helena (22 September 2020). "aQuellé pulled from shelves at Makro, Game - as Food Lover's also cuts ties with 'cult' companies". Business Insider SA. Archived from the original on 23 September 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  22. ↑ Karrim, Azarrah (25 September 2020). "Absa Cape Epic drops aQuellé as sponsor, Orlando Pirates monitors probe". News24. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  23. ↑ Petersen, Tammy. "WATCH | Say sorry, KwaSizabantu told by religious communities' watchdog as it finally releases report". News24. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  24. ↑ Comins, Lyse (22 July 2023). "KwaSizabantu Mission cleared of 'cult' claims but rape, human rights abuse survivors fight on in court". Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  25. ↑ "KwaSizabantu must apologise for various alleged crimes: CRL report". SABC News. 13 July 2023. Archived from the original on 14 February 2025. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  26. ↑ Kalloor, Abraham (13 February 2025). "KwaSizabantu Mission under the spotlight for a second time". The Witness. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  27. ↑ "Joint Press Statement by the CRL Rights Commission and the Applicants in the Kwa Sizabantu Matter" (PDF). 15 December 2025. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
This page is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.