Discover
The identity of the nation
South Africa is today the most Christian nation in Southern Africa (the southern region of the African continent), with nearly 9 in 10 South Africans identifying as Christian. But behind that number lies a complex history, marked by European colonization, the struggle against apartheid (the legal system of racial segregation that lasted from 1948 to 1994), and a society now known as the “rainbow nation” for bringing together peoples of African, European, Indian, and mixed origin under a single flag.
Christianity arrived with Dutch colonizers in the 17th century, but only gained strength among the Black population starting in the 19th century, when the Bible began to be translated into languages such as Zulu and Xhosa. Strikingly, the same faith that some used to theologically justify racial segregation also shaped the leaders who fought hardest against it. Today the country has one of the most diverse Christian landscapes in the world: from the large African Independent Churches (the Zion movement, created by Black leaders in the early 20th century) to rapidly growing Pentecostalism, alongside Anglicans, Catholics, and Reformed Christians of Dutch origin.
But South African Christian faith faces serious challenges. The country has one of the continent’s largest markets for “false prophets”: religious leaders who promise miracles and wealth in exchange for donations, even asking believers to eat grass or drink dangerous substances in the name of healing. At the same time, belief in witchcraft and muti (traditional potions and charms prepared by healers) still shapes the spiritual life of many families, sometimes within churches that call themselves Christian. Criminal violence, among the highest in the world, and the still-open wounds of apartheid complete the picture of a country in need of deep healing.
Alongside the Christian majority, there are communities still little reached by the gospel: descendants of Indians who arrived as workers and traders in the 19th century, today divided between Hinduism and Islam; the Somali community, Muslim, which arrived fleeing civil war in their home country; and a small Jewish community. Together, these groups are a reminder that, even in a majority Christian nation, there are still pockets of peoples with almost no contact with the gospel.
Despite the challenges, the South African church is today one of the most vibrant on the continent. Its churches send workers to other African countries, its worship and music influence Christians worldwide, and its story of racial reconciliation, still incomplete, remains a testimony that the gospel can bridge even the deepest divisions.
- The San (Bushmen) and Khoikhoi peoples are the region's oldest inhabitants, living by hunting and herding for millennia
- 4th-15th centuries Bantu-speaking peoples migrate to the south of the continent, giving rise to ethnic groups such as the Zulu, Xhosa, and Sotho
- 1652 Dutch traders establish a supply post at the Cape, marking the start of European colonization
- 1795-1806 The British Empire takes control of the Cape Colony, previously Dutch
- 1836 Settlers of Dutch origin migrate into the interior in the Great Trek and found their own republics
- 1867 The discovery of diamonds in Kimberley sparks a mineral rush
- 1886 The discovery of gold in the Witwatersrand gives rise to the city of Johannesburg
- 1899-1902 War between the Boers (settlers of Dutch origin) and the British for control of the region
- 1910 Formation of the Union of South Africa, under British rule
- 1948 The start of apartheid, a legal system of racial segregation
- 1960 The Sharpeville massacre, a landmark in the repression of Black protesters
- 1976 Student uprising in Soweto against mandatory teaching in Afrikaans
- 1990-1994 The end of apartheid, with the release of political prisoners and the first elections with participation of the entire population
- 1996 Promulgation of a new Constitution, one of the most advanced in the world on human rights
- Today A multiracial democracy that still faces inequality, but with a strong and growing church
-
Englishthe official language of law, government, and business, spoken as a second language by most of the population
-
Zulu (isiZulu)the country's most widely spoken native language, about 24% of the population
-
Xhosa (isiXhosa)the second most widely spoken native language, about 16% of the population
-
Afrikaansderived from the Dutch brought by settlers, spoken by about 11% of the population
-
Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Tsonga, Swati, Venda, and Ndebeleseven other official languages, each associated with a people of Bantu origin
-
South African Sign Languagerecognized as the 12th official language in 2023, used by the deaf community
South Africa lies at the southern tip of the African continent, bordered by two oceans: the Atlantic to the west and the Indian to the east. It borders Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Eswatini, and entirely surrounds the small country of Lesotho. The territory is a geographic mosaic: the interior plateau, of savanna and semidesert, contrasts with the Cape mountain ranges, the fertile vineyards of the southwest, and the tropical coast of KwaZulu-Natal. It is also the only country in the world to hold entirely within its borders one of the planet's six floral kingdoms, the fynbos (vegetation typical of the Cape region, rich in unique species found nowhere else).
Major cities
- Johannesburgthe country's largest city, a financial hub born from the gold rush, in the interior
- Cape Townlegislative capital, famous for Table Mountain and its beaches
- Pretoriaadministrative capital, seat of the federal government, also called Tshwane
- DurbanAfrica's largest port, on the Indian Ocean coast, with a strong Indian-origin community
- Bloemfonteinjudicial capital, seat of the country's main appellate court
- Sowetoa large township (a working-class area designated for the Black population during apartheid) on the outskirts of Johannesburg, a symbol of the struggle against segregation
- Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth)a port city in the south of the country, known for its mild climate and beaches
Climate and temperature
Bunny chow
a hollowed-out loaf of bread filled with curry, created by Durban's Indian community
Bobotie
spiced minced meat baked with an egg-and-milk topping, considered the national dish
Biltong
dried, seasoned meat, one of the country's most popular snacks
Potjiekos
a stew slow cooked outdoors in a three-legged cast-iron pot (the potjie), a tradition created by the first settlers who migrated into the interior
Boerewors
grilled sausage seasoned with spices, a staple of the braai (traditional barbecue)
Malva pudding
a sweet, moist sponge dessert, served warm with syrup and cream
Pap
a maize porridge, a staple food in many South African households, served with meat or sauce
Understand
Culture and spirituality
2a · The culture
Ubuntu
African philosophy of shared humanity, summed up in the phrase "I am because we are"
Rainbow Nation
expression used to describe the country's ethnic and cultural diversity after the end of apartheid
Braai
traditional outdoor barbecue, one of the country's biggest social gatherings
Gumboot dance
rubber boot dance, created by Black miners as a form of communication during work
Gospel and choral music
a strong musical tradition in churches, blending Western hymns with African rhythms
San rock art
stone paintings made by the San (Bushmen) peoples, among the planet's oldest inhabitants
- Comments about race still a very sensitive topic because of the legacy of apartheid (racial segregation that ended in 1994); avoid jokes or comparisons
- Photographing people without asking permission especially in townships, can be seen as disrespectful
- Talking about "Africa" as if it were a single place the country has 12 official languages and very different cultures
- Displaying phones, jewelry, or money in public robbery rates are high in several major cities
- Trusting miracle-working "prophets" without discernment many religious leaders financially exploit their followers
- Ignoring the differences between the provinces each has its own history, predominant language, and identity
2b · The field
Areas of spiritual battle and cultural captivity to cover in prayer. Tap each point to understand:
The country's mineral wealth has created a culture of greed and extreme inequality between rich and poor
False prophets promise miracles and wealth in exchange for money, exploiting the most vulnerable
Belief in traditional healers and potions blends spiritual fear with the search for healing and protection
The tradition of consulting and honoring the spirits of ancestors still shapes decisions and rituals in many families
The trauma of apartheid still generates division, resentment, and distrust among ethnic groups
One of the countries with the highest rates of violent crime in the world, generating constant fear
Many call themselves Christians out of tradition or culture, without a personal, transforming faith
Historical rivalries between different peoples still generate social and political tension
Excessive drinking is a deep social problem, linked to poverty and domestic violence
An unemployment rate above 30% fuels discouragement, especially among young people
South Africa guarantees religious freedom by law and does not face state persecution of Christians. The greatest challenge to the church today comes from within itself: the growth of false prophets and churches that exploit believers desperate for miracles and prosperity, even asking members to eat grass, drink dangerous substances, or hand over large sums of money in exchange for promised blessings.
Violent crime, one of the country’s biggest problems, also affects churches: robberies during services, kidnappings of religious leaders, and thefts from places of worship are frequently reported, especially in large cities. Christian communities in poorer neighborhoods often live under the same fear of violence that affects all of South African society.
In rural areas, deep-rooted belief in witchcraft still claims victims: people, especially elderly women, are sometimes accused of sorcery and suffer violence from neighbors who believe they caused misfortunes through spells. The church has an important role in proclaiming freedom in Christ in the face of this fear, which is still so present.
The persecution score runs from 0 to 100: the higher it is, the greater the pressure on Christians.
South Africa is today a majority Christian nation, but it is still home to 9 unreached people groups among the country's 63 ethnic groups, most of them immigrant communities or descendants of immigrants from Asia and the Middle East, such as Hindi and Gujarati speaking Indians, Somalis, Urdu speaking Pakistanis, and a small Lithuanian Jewish community. Together, these peoples number just over 1.2 million people, about 2% of the country's population. The vast majority of the South African population, on the other hand, has already been significantly reached by the gospel, with churches established for generations.
- 1.3M Unreached 2%
- 550K Minimally reached 0,9%
- 59K Superficially reached 0,1%
- 3M Partially reached 4,6%
- 59.6M Significantly reached 92,5%
- 9 Unreached 14,3%
- 6 Minimally reached 9,5%
- 4 Superficially reached 6,3%
- 14 Partially reached 22,2%
- 30 Significantly reached 47,6%
Source of people group data: Joshua Project (joshuaproject.net). Estimates, may vary.
Árabe Egípcio Muçulmano
Bhojpuri Bihari
Gujarati Frontier
Malaio Cape
Litvish Jews Frontier
Arab Lebanese Muslim
Urdu Frontier
Source: Joshua Project. Estimates, may vary.
Pray
Intercede for this nation
Every nation carries a redemptive purpose. Marks that seem woven into the identity God desires to restore:
Go
Practical details for those who want to go
Local time
Cost of living
daily special for one person (Numbeo)
Cost by city
Reference values (source: Numbeo). Confirm before traveling.
Practical points for those who go
- Power outages: scheduled power cuts (known as "load shedding") are common; keep a flashlight and a portable charger on hand at all times.
- Safety: avoid displaying valuables in public and prefer walking in groups, especially at night.
- Variable climate: pack clothes for the cold (winters can be cold at night on the plateau, from June to August) and for summer heat.
- Transport: in large cities, prefer ride-hailing apps over unfamiliar street taxis.
- Water: tap water is considered safe to drink in most major cities.
- Languages: learning a simple greeting in Zulu or Xhosa is very well received as a sign of respect.
Send and sustain
Not everyone goes, everyone takes part
Not everyone goes. Everyone takes part.
Behind every worker among these peoples stands a network of people who pray without ceasing, care for the family left behind, and faithfully sustain the work. Sending is mission too.
Start with your church: introduce this nation, adopt it in ongoing prayer, and walk alongside those God is raising up to go.