LAVUMISA – Members of the Nazareth Baptist Church, popularly known as the Shembe Church, lined the streets as the leader of the church, His Holiness Unyazi Lwezulu, entered the country.
Members of the church and the public initially gathered at Lavumisa Border Gate, seizing the opportunity to witness the arrival of the leader, who is renowned for healing and blessing.
As is customary, upon arriving at the border gate, the members knelt and shouted ‘Amen, uyingcwele’ while awaiting blessings and healing.
Some attendees brought along water, petroleum jelly and soap. Notably, these commodities are commonly used as conduits for blessings, as the leader blesses with spoken words. The members received the blessings with joy, as Unyazi Lwezulu blessed them verbally.
From Lavumisa, the leader proceeded to the church’s headquarters at Esabelweni, Mahlanya. Those who were aware of his visit positioned themselves along the road solely to see the convoy passing by.
This was common at busy locations such as shopping complexes. Interviewed members of the church mentioned that blessings manifested in different ways, including simply seeing the convoy, as long as one had faith.
The atmosphere was filled with excitement, singing and ululations as hundreds of followers gathered along the route, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the convoy carrying the church leader.
Young and old believers waved, cheered and praised him as the vehicles passed through various areas.
Some church members were seen kneeling beside the road, while others raised their hands in reverence, shouting ‘Oyingcwele’ and ‘Amen Ongcwele’ as signs of honour and spiritual devotion to their leader.
Upon arrival at Esabelweni semaSwati, the church’s sacred site at Mahlanya, the excitement intensified as congregants welcomed Unyazi Lwezulu with traditional hymns and sacred dances.
Women dressed in white church garments and men in their customary attire filled the worship grounds, singing praises with palm tree branches in their hands.
The arrival resembled a major spiritual gathering, with believers pushing forward to catch a glimpse of their leader. Police officers and church marshals were deployed to manage the large crowds assembled for the event. Many congregants described the visit as more than a religious gathering; some regarded it as a moment of spiritual renewal and unity among believers.
One elderly church member from Shiselweni, Mamkhokheli, expressed that seeing Unyazi Lwezulu brought joy and hope to worshippers.
“We are happy whenever he visits Eswatini because we receive blessings and spiritual guidance. This is a special moment for us as believers,” she said.
According to church elders, Unyazi Lwezulu is not considered an ordinary human being, as he possesses the Holy Spirit that descended from Heaven and was first embodied in Isaiah Shembe. Isaiah Shembe was the Zulu prophet who founded the church in 1910. It remains history of the church that before his death, the founder of the church declared when he dies, the spirit in him will not die, but finds a place in another person’s flesh and will be passed from generations to generations.
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Amakhosazana celebrate purity, faith
ESABELWENI – Dressed in colourful traditional attire, the Amakhosazana of the Nazareth Baptist Church proudly celebrated their commitment to purity during a church gathering held at Esabelweni semaSwati at Mahlanya yesterday.
The young women, commonly referred to as virgins within the church, gathered alongside hundreds of congregants upon the arrival of church leader Unyazi Lwezulu.
Throughout the day, songs of worship and sacred dances echoed across the holy grounds as the young women expressed pride in preserving their virginity, which they regard as a symbol of purity before God.
Interviewed women explained that the teachings of the Nazareth Baptist Church regard the body as the temple of God, which should be respected and protected.
They stated that they are encouraged to abstain from sexual activity until marriage and to live disciplined spiritual lives.
The church, founded by Prophet Isaiah Shembe, strongly promotes morals, modesty and self-discipline among its followers.
The young women expressed that remaining pure is an important aspect of their faith and religious identity. “We are proud to preserve ourselves because we believe our bodies belong to God.
“We follow the teachings of the church and respect ourselves,” one church member said.
Another young woman mentioned that the confirmation ceremony conducted by church leaders earlier in the morning strengthened her commitment to her faith.
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