President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that His Grace Dr Bishop Barnabas Lekganyane, the esteemed leader of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC)
By Thabo Mosia
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that His Grace Dr Bishop Barnabas Lekganyane, the esteemed leader of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC), will serve on the 31‑member Eminent Persons Group tasked with guiding South Africa’s ambitious National Dialogue. The initiative marks a defining moment where the pilgrim pathways of Moria meet the corridors of national planning, as spiritual legacy and civic leadership unite to shape a social compact built for “Vision 2030” and the next phase of the National Development Plan.
🇿🇦 Why a National Dialogue — and Why Now?
President Ramaphosa’s evening address emphasised that this initiative has matured through widespread support since its proposal last year. Key points include:
- The Dialogue is a people-led, society-wide process meant to reflect on the nation’s state and reimagine its future .
- Grounded in historical precedent, dialogue has always been part of South Africa’s DNA—from the anti-apartheid struggle and democratic founding to living our constitutional promises.
- Citizens across every demographic will be included: men and women, young and old, persons with disabilities, LGBTQI people, urban and rural communities .
Ramaphosa didn’t sugar-coat the challenges: poverty, unemployment, inequality, crime, gender-based violence, and corruption stand as deep wounds. The Dialogue aims to build a thriving inclusive economy, safer communities and a better future for children.
Importantly, this is no one-time event. It unfolds in stages:
- Local and sectoral consultations
- Provincial gatherings
- First National Convention on 15 August 2025
- Continued Dialogue culminating in a second National Convention in early 2026, where a final social compact will be ratified .
This compact is designed to define clear responsibilities among government, business, labour, civil society and citizens—a blueprint for advancing Vision 2030.
The Eminent Persons Group: A Mirror of South African Diversity
To drive this process, President Ramaphosa formed a 31-strong Eminent Persons Group, bringing together leaders across all sectors:
• Dr Brigalia Bam – former IEC Chairperson
• Mr Robbie Brozin – entrepreneur
• Judge Edwin Cameron – former Constitutional Court judge
• Mr Manne Dipico – former Northern Cape premier
• Dr Desiree Ellis – Banyana Banyana coach and football legend
• Ms Ela Gandhi – peace activist
• Prof Nomboniso Gasa – researcher and rural activist
• Mr Bobby Godsell – business leader
• Dr John Kani – award-winning actor
• Mr Siya Kolisi – Springbok captain
• Ms Mia le Roux – Miss SA 2024
• His Grace Bishop Barnabas Lekganyane – ZCC leader
• His Grace Bishop Engenas Lekganyane – St Engenas ZCC leader
• The Most Rev. Thabo Makgoba – Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town
• Prof Tinyiko Maluleke – National Planning Commission chair
• Dr Barbara Masekela – poet, educator
• Ms Lindiwe Mazibuko – former MP
• Mr Roelf Meyer – former minister
• Ms Gcina Mhlope – storyteller
• Ms Nompendulo Mkhatshwa – student activist
• Ms Kgothatso Montjane – Grand Slam tennis champion
• Prof Harry Ranwedzi Nengwekhulu – former activist
• Mr Bheki Ntshalintshali – former COSATU secretary
• Hosi Phylia Nwamitwa – traditional leader
• Kgosi Thabo Seatlholo – Khoi‑San leaders’ chair
• Dr Gloria Serobe – business leader
• Dr Imtiaz Sooliman – Gift of the Givers founder
• Prof Derrick Swartz – academic
• Ms Lorato Trok – early literacy expert
• Mr Sibusiso Vilane – mountaineer
• Mr Siyabulela Xuza – rocket scientist
UBaba uShembe uNyazi LweZulu has also been invited but is yet to confirm .
This group will be backed by an Inter‑Ministerial Committee chaired by Deputy President Paul Mashatile, a Sectoral Steering Committee, and a Secretariat housed at NEDLAC .
Moria: From Pilgrims to Policy
The Story of Moria
Moria is no ordinary church site—it’s a pilgrimage centre and a global spiritual home for ZCC members. Founded by Engenas Lekganyane in 1924 atop Mt Thabakgone near Polokwane, the site was transformed by his son Edward into “Zion City Moria.” It remains the spiritual home of the ZCC and a symbol of African-initiated Christian faith .
ZCC’s Footprint
- Recognised as one of Africa’s largest African-initiated churches. By the 1996 census, it had ~3.87 million members; by 2001, nearly 5 million .
- The church exists in multiple Southern African countries—Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini, Zambia and Zimbabwe—with estimated membership up to 7 million .
- Known for its African-Pentecostal faith mix, prophecy, faith healing, pilgrimages and community discipline .
The Annual Pilgrim Wave
Each year at Easter, more than one million ZCC members and worshippers journey to Moria in khaki uniforms (men) or yellow-green regalia (women). They come to pray, witness, receive blessings—and to see Bishop Barnabas. Another major pilgrimage takes place over the ZCC New Year .
Bishop Barnabas Lekganyane: Legacy, Leadership and Influence
A Voice of Continuity
- Born to carry on ZCC’s mission, Bishop Barnabas became bishop in 1975, continuing the legacy built by his grandfather Engenas and father Edward .
- A respected spiritual and social leader, he has upheld Moria’s role as a place of peace and healing.
A Trusted Mediator
Bishop Barnabas has historically maintained Moria as a non-partisan, peace-focused site:
- In 1985, he welcomed P.W. Botha—not for politics, but prayer for peace .
- In early 1994 Nelson Mandela, F.W. de Klerk and Mangosuthu Buthelezi came to Moria to pray before South Africa’s first democratic election .
- Post-apartheid presidents, including Ramaphosa, have visited Moria to seek spiritual grounding during national challenges .
Bishop Barnabas’s leadership in shepherding spiritual leaders and citizens through times of national tension has earned him moral standing and trust.
A Moral Voice
Under Bishop Barnabas, the ZCC has continued delivering sermons addressing unemployment, poverty, and gender-based violence—issues central to the National Dialogue .
Moreover, the church’s peaceful greeting, “kgotso” (“peace be unto you”), reflects a wider ethos of harmony, unity, and community healing .
National Dialogue Roadmap: From Agenda to Agreement
1. First National Convention – 15 August 2025
Set to be the official launch, this convention seeks to define:
- Themes and process structure
- Consultation methods for local, sectoral, provincial engagement
2. Nationwide Consultations – Aug to Dec 2025
Dialogue will take place in:
- Workplaces
- Faith settings
- Rural communities
- Schools and universities
- Labour unions and civil society groups
3. Provincial Dialogues
Each province will host gatherings to channel region-specific issues into summit discussions.
4. Second National Convention – Early 2026
All input will be considered and streamlined into a social compact outlining stakeholder roles.
5. Implementation Phase – 2026–2027
Outcomes will feed into Vision 2030 and the next phase of the National Development Plan.
Challenges and Opportunities
Balancing Faith and Politics
Bishop Barnabas must leverage his moral authority without overt political partisanship.
Inclusivity Across Faiths
ZCC inclusion is a positive step, but there must be balanced representation of other faiths and secular perspectives.
Moria’s Influence vs Urban Dynamics
The challenge lies in translating the spiritual unity at Moria into urban and policy contexts.
Sustained Civic Engagement
Building a culture of participatory dialogue across all demographic groups is essential for lasting impact.
Why It Matters: Potential Impact
- Legitimacy and Trust
Bishop Barnabas’s history of non-partisan spiritual leadership adds moral credibility. - Community Reach
ZCC’s vast membership base—across urban and rural areas—strengthens community participation. - Spiritual Foundation for Healing
Invoking Moria’s spiritual legacy can foster unity in divided contexts. - Symbol of Inclusive Nationhood
A faith leader at the Dialogue table signals that every community’s voice matters.
Historical Context: ZCC over the Decades
- Founded in 1924 by Engenas Lekganyane via a prophetic experience on Mt Thabakgone .
- Evolved through Edward Lekganyane’s expansion—rapid membership growth, institutionalisation of pilgrimage, and international outreach .
- The ZCC remains deeply embedded in African spiritual culture, traditional values, prophecy, and healing while growing organisational strength .
A National Compact: Building on Dialogue
The objective is clear: craft a social compact that:
- Defines stakeholder roles—citizens, government, business, labour, civil society
- Aligns with Vision 2030 and next phases of the National Development Plan
- Tackles unemployment, inequality, crime, gender-based violence and corruption
- Frames national citizenship as “shared values” and “common purpose”
What Comes Next
- Preparations now: Structures being established—Inter‑Ministerial Committee, Steering Committee, Secretariat at NEDLAC.
- August 15, 2025: Launch of the first National Convention.
- Mid‑2025 onwards: Consultations in communities, schools and civil society.
- Early 2026: Final Convention and adoption of social compact.
- 2026–2027: Embedding the compact through the NDP and Vision 2030.
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