Despite an ongoing succession battle, there were scenes of excitement yesterday as 20,000 people descended at the International Pentecost Holiness Church's (IPHC) 60th anniversary celebrations in Zuurbekom on the West Rand.
Men dressed in the church’s regalia of blue and white suits and women clad in white skirts with red tops and hats were singing and in a jubilant mood around the vicinity decorated in with red, white and gold balloons.
The celebrations were also attended by high-profile dignitaries such as ANC deputy president candidate and minister of human settlements Mmamoloko Kubayi, traditional leaders from the North West and Northern Cape, the High Commissioner of Botswana in SA and business people, among others.
Secretary-general of the IPHC, priest Mpho Makwana, said congregants were excited about the event.
‘’We feel it is a good milestone. This is a journey that we treasure. We see it really as a culmination in terms of promises [that] God gives. God’s promises are never in vain. This for us is assurance that we have endured and enjoyed 60 years of consistency of fulfilment of His promises,’’ said Makwana.
The church has also been embroiled in controversy with a succession battle that has led to a shooting last year, since the death of its leader Glayton Modise in 2016. Three factions are now claiming the right to the leadership – the Jerusalema faction led by Michael Sandlana, the Leonard Modise faction that has its headquarters in Zuurbekom and the faction of Glayton's eldest son Tshepiso.
On July 11 2020, five men were shot and burned in a car at the IPHC headquarters in Zuurbekom. Police recovered 68 firearms, which included 17 rifles, 24 shotguns and 27 pistols.
Commenting on the succession battles within the church, Makwana said the dispute will be solved ‘’spiritually’’ before a trial gets underway in court.
"Every spiritual anointment always comes with counter-forces. This is not the first time in the history of the IPHC that we had people who try to challenge succession. The only difference is that this time it has been the most vicious.
"In the first seven years [of IPHC], someone challenged the founder. The challenge fell to nothing. In 1998, the founder’s only son ascended to throne. Another challenger close to the family challenged him and the challenge came to nought.
‘’Now in 2016, it appears a little aggravated because it is in the public arena. We live in the day and age of social media. We are not surprised. God always fixes them [battles] spiritually. They have attempted some people on the 11th of July 2020 to invade.
"They came out of here running, with all sorts of firearms against people [who were] not armed. Our assertion is that this thing is not going to be resolved by a court of law. It is going to be resolved by the power of God. Already we are seeing an average of a thousand people returning home from all those so-called factions. People will use propaganda to try and show that they are quite strong. The church was packed yesterday [Saturday]. We are quite confident that God will solve this,’’ said Makwana.
Dikaco Makgetla, 78, who has been a member for 36 years, said this is a proud moment in her life.
‘’I am very proud and impressed of this church. When I joined this church, the people here were welcoming and full of love. I have never had any problem with sickness since I came here,’’ said Makgetla.
The IPHC was founded in 1962 by the late Frederick Samuel Modise, who was succeeded by his son Glayton Modise in 1998. The dispute over who should succeed him after his death is before the courts.
kokam@sowetan.co.za
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