Johane Masowe

Johane Masowe (1914–1973, born Shoniwa Masedza[3]) was an African preacher and religious leader. The name "Johane Masowe" means "John of the Wilderness", and alludes to John the Baptist.[4]

Johane Masowe
Born	1 October 1914 [1] Pefen Gandanzara, Makoni[2]
Died	13 September 1973 Ndola, Zambia[1]

In 1932, Masowe suffered a long illness, and was unable to speak or walk. Afterwards, he believed he had been "sent from Heaven to carry out religious work among the natives".[5] He initially had the nickname "Sixpence".[6]

He spent the 1930s as an itinerant preacher throughout southern Africa, and settled in Port Elizabeth in 1947.[7]

Masowe's followers eventually created several different churches. These include the Masowe weChishanu Church (weChishanu referring to observing the Sabbath on Friday), and the Gospel of God Church, which observes Sabbath on Saturdays.[8]

The term Vapostori is used to describe those who follow the teachings of Masowe as well as some closely linked traditions.

Notes

1. Dillon-Malone 1978, p. 41.
2. Reese 2008.
3. "Baba Johane's prophecy being fulfilled | The Chronicle". www.chronicle.co.zw.
4. Mukonyora 2007, p. 14.
5. Engelke 2007, p. 79.
6. Griffith & Savage 2006, pp. 66–68.
7. Dillon-Malone 1978, p. 28.
8. Engelke 2007, pp. 3–4.

References

• Dillon-Malone, Clive M. (1978). The Korsten Basketmakers : a study of the Masowe apostles, an indigenous African religious movement. Zambian: [Institute for African Studies]. ISBN 0719014107.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• Engelke, Matthew (2007). A problem of presence beyond Scripture in an African church. Berkeley: University of California Press. ISBN 978-0520940048.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• Griffith, R. Marie; Savage, Barbara Diane, eds. (2006). Women and religion in the African diaspora : knowledge, power, and performance. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 0801883695.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• Mukonyora, Isabel (2007). Wandering a gendered wilderness suffering & healing in an African initiated church. New York: Lang. ISBN 978-0820488837.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• Reese, Robert (2008). "Masowe, Johane | Dictionary of African Christian Biography". dacb.org.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)