Thousands of Africans from more than 10 nations
converged in South Africa to celebrate the birthday of controversial
Nigerian Pastor T.B. Joshua on Friday.
The event, which was held at the
Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, South Africa, was dubbed ‘A
Celebration Of Love’, a reference to Joshua’s popular slogan ‘let love
lead’.
It comes just months after heated tensions between South
Africa and several African countries over a spate of xenophobic
violence against foreigners in the country.
Gospel artists VaShawn Mitchell, Loyiso Bala and opera singer Kimmy Skota entertained guests who
were also treated to a buffet-style meal.
Relatives of the 84 South Africans who lost their lives in the infamous
collapse of a guesthouse at Joshua’s church last year were among the
organisers of the event, coupled with survivors of the tragic incident.
“We
know what happened to the building,” insisted Thembelihle Mamafa
speaking on behalf of family members of the ‘martyrs of faith’ before
cutting a huge cake in honour of the ‘prophet’.
They
tried to bring him down but TB Joshua – you with God are the majority.
The more the attack, the greater your strength,” she stated, to the
applause of the crowd.
Among those who paid tribute to
Joshua was Chief Victor Mditshwa, a Director at the Department of
International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).
“Yesterday,
we were talking about xenophobia but today, we are talking about
happiness. That can only happen when there are men of God in this world
like TB Joshua.”
He also made reference to an alleged
prophecy given by Joshua about the end of the violence.“Tomorrow, they
will never talk about xenophobia in South Africa – it is gone because
the man of God prophesied and spoke.”
Popular South African
‘Bishop’ Stephen Zondo from the ‘Rivers Of Living Waters Ministries’
also spoke of the unity the event had fostered within Africa.
“Tonight,
your birthday, has just united all of us,” he stated. “We had some
tragedies and problems a few weeks ago but your birthday has done
another miracle that the government and churches failed to do. Your
birthday has brought us together!”
from the nations of Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi,
Tanzania, Kenya, Swaziland, Lesotho, Mozambique and the Democratic
Republic of Congo stood up to give birthday greetings to Joshua.
US Gospel artist VaShawn Mitchell, amidst his performance, thanked God for the Nigerian cleric’s life.
“I
was able to go to Mexico City to the crusade,” he told the crowd,
referring to Joshua’s crusade last month at the Aztec Stadium which had
an estimated 150,000 in attendance. My life was changed through the
ministry of Prophet Joshua. I saw healing, deliverance – people set free
right before my very eyes.”
Several government officials,
traditional leaders and media celebrities were present at the occasion. A
biographical video clip of Joshua’s early life and ministry was shown.
The celebration was broadcast live on Christian television network
Emmanuel TV, followed by a similar event in Mexico where Colombian
Gospel artist David Angel performed.