The International Pentecost Holiness Church (or IPHC) is one of the largest African initiated churches in Southern Africa. The church was founded in Meadowlands, Soweto, in 1962 by Frederick S Modise. The church's headquarters is at Silo in the town of Zuurbekom; visitors were encouraged to make a monthly pilgrimage to Silo and Modise.  In July 2020, South Africans woke up to reports of gangs and devotees caught with bombs and guns in a foiled bid to take over the IPHC headquarters in Zuurbekom. The episode left five people dead – four shot and burnt in a car, and a security guard shot in another car. Six others were injured. The attack was part of a protracted contest for pastoral power over the pulpits of one of the largest African-initiated churches. The feud, which has split the IPHC’s nearly four million tithe-paying membership into three factions, began with the death of the church’s sole and supreme leader in 2016. It is complicated by the rule of primogeniture – an unwritten tradition that is still the custom in many African households, where the first-born son inherits the father’s powers, position and possessions. In this conversation, we talk about the history and placing of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church in society and succession battle in the church.

<p>The International Pentecost Holiness Church (or IPHC) is one of the largest African initiated churches in Southern Africa. The church was founded in Meadowlands, Soweto, in 1962 by Frederick S Modise. The church's headquarters is at Silo in the town of Zuurbekom; visitors were encouraged to make a monthly pilgrimage to Silo and Modise.  In July 2020, South Africans woke up to reports of gangs and devotees caught with bombs and guns in a foiled bid to take over the IPHC headquarters in Zuurbekom. The episode left five people dead – four shot and burnt in a car, and a security guard shot in another car. Six others were injured. The attack was part of a protracted contest for pastoral power over the pulpits of one of the largest African-initiated churches. The feud, which has split the IPHC’s nearly four million tithe-paying membership into three factions, began with the death of the church’s sole and supreme leader in 2016. It is complicated by the rule of primogeniture – an unwritten tradition that is still the custom in many African households, where the first-born son inherits the father’s powers, position and possessions. In this conversation, we talk about the history and placing of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church in society and succession battle in the church.</p>

POWER Talk is a mid-morning talk show programme, hosted by Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi. The show delves deeper into the news of the day along with larger societal themes, inviting listeners to help unpack issues on the day’s current affairs agenda and topics close to their hearts. Ndlozi also interviews the biggest newsmakers and experts in South Africa, helping listeners make sense of their world.

<p>POWER Talk is a mid-morning talk show programme, hosted by Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi. The show delves deeper into the news of the day along with larger societal themes, inviting listeners to help unpack issues on the day&rsquo;s current affairs agenda and topics close to their hearts. Ndlozi also interviews the biggest newsmakers and experts in South Africa, helping listeners make sense of their world.</p>

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