Bishops and Prophets in a Black City (pdf of the book)

African Independent Churches in Soweto, Johannesburg

African independent churches have proliferated dramatically in southern Africa. There are 3 000 of these, of which 900 are in Soweto, the enormous African urban, area adjoining Johannesburg. One quarter of the total African population belongs to an independent church.
This is the first book on urban African independent churches in South Africa, and is the fruit of two years of intensive research in Soweto.
It shows the blending of African and Western beliefs and traditions, the importance of healing practices, the opportunities for leadership, and the network of co-operation between the independent churches, which appear to play a particularly important part in helping their members to adjust to urban life.
This book will be of interest not only to specialists in social anthropology, African studies and religion, but also to a wider public unaware of the significance, vitality and col-ourfulness of the independent church movement.
Professor Monica Wilson has written the Foreword.
The many dramatic photographs of ordination, healing practices, and baptism by total immersion were taken by the author.

Martin West

Martin West

David Philip Cape Town, Rex Collings London

1975

Martin West

Book

Soweto, South Africa

White City Jabavu, Soweto

African Independent Churches in Soweto

Soweto scene. White City Jabavu.

West, Martin

University of Cape Town libraries

Centre for Curating the Archive, University of Cape Town

1969-1971

all rights reserved Martin West

image/jpeg

colour

martin_West_345

View from Orlando West, Soweto

African Independent Churches in Soweto

Soweto scene. View from Orlando West.

West, Martin

University of Cape Town libraries

Centre for Curating the Archive, University of Cape Town

1969-1971

all rights reserved Martin West

image/jpeg

colour

martin_West_344

View from Orlando West, Soweto

African Independent Churches in Soweto

Soweto scene. View from Orlando West.

West, Martin

University of Cape Town libraries

Centre for Curating the Archive, University of Cape Town

1969-1971

all rights reserved Martin West

image/jpeg

colour

martin_West_343

Leader of association of AI churches Archbishop Abel with CI Reverend Brown officiating at ordination service, Soweto

African Independent Churches in Soweto

Archbishop J H Abel, leader of an association of Apostolic independent churches on the West Rand, officiating at an ordination service in Soweto. With him is the Revd Brian Brown of the Christian Institute.

West, Martin

University of Cape Town libraries

Centre for Curating the Archive, University of Cape Town

1969-1971

all rights reserved Martin West

image/jpeg

colour

martin_West_342

Leader of association of AI churches Archbishop Abel with CI Reverend Brown officiating at ordination service, Soweto

African Independent Churches in Soweto

Archbishop J H Abel, leader of an association of Apostolic independent churches on the West Rand, officiating at an ordination service in Soweto. With him is the Revd Brian Brown, adviser to the independent churches for the Christian Institute. Archbishop Abel was about to retire & had asked me to replace him! I declined, but as the association was seeking someone to assist them, I suggested Brian Brown might be able to help. We attended a service in Soweto, where Brian also declined the appointment but offered help. As an ordained Minister he was unexpectedly roped into the service.

West, Martin

University of Cape Town libraries

Centre for Curating the Archive, University of Cape Town

1969-1971

all rights reserved Martin West

image/jpeg

colour

martin_West_341

AICA President Maqina addressing service

African Independent Churches in Soweto

AICA conference, Soweto. Service being addressed by the new AICA President, President E V M Maqina.

West, Martin

University of Cape Town libraries

Centre for Curating the Archive, University of Cape Town

1969-1971

all rights reserved Martin West

image/jpeg

colour

martin_West_340

AICA President Maqina addressing service

African Independent Churches in Soweto

AICA conference, Soweto. Service being addressed by the new AICA President, President E V M Maqina.

West, Martin

University of Cape Town libraries

Centre for Curating the Archive, University of Cape Town

1969-1971

all rights reserved Martin West

image/jpeg

colour

martin_West_339

AICA conference communion service held for members

African Independent Churches in Soweto

AICA conference, Soweto. A communion service held for members.

West, Martin

University of Cape Town libraries

Centre for Curating the Archive, University of Cape Town

1969-1971

all rights reserved Martin West

image/jpeg

colour

martin_West_338

AICA conference communion service held for members

African Independent Churches in Soweto

AICA conference, Soweto. A communion service held for members.

West, Martin

University of Cape Town libraries

Centre for Curating the Archive, University of Cape Town

1969-1971

all rights reserved Martin West

image/jpeg

colour

martin_West_337

AICA conference communion service held for members

African Independent Churches in Soweto

AICA conference, Soweto. A communion service held for members. The format is that used by the Apostolic Full Gospel Mission of South Africa (2), in turn based on the official Methodist liturgy.

West, Martin

University of Cape Town libraries

Centre for Curating the Archive, University of Cape Town

1969-1971

all rights reserved Martin West

image/jpeg

colour

martin_West_336

WAAIC President presents gift to executive member at AICA conference

African Independent Churches in Soweto

AICA. Scenes from s the conference. The President of WAAIC presents a gift to an executive member.

West, Martin

University of Cape Town libraries

Centre for Curating the Archive, University of Cape Town

1969-1971

all rights reserved Martin West

image/jpeg

colour

martin_West_335

AICA conference service held at Methodist Church

African Independent Churches in Soweto

AICA conference. Service held at a nearby Methodist church.

West, Martin

University of Cape Town libraries

Centre for Curating the Archive, University of Cape Town

1969-1971

all rights reserved Martin West

image/jpeg

colour

martin_West_334

Methodist Minister welcoming AICA delegates at Soweto conference

African Independent Churches in Soweto

AICA conference, Soweto. The meeting was held at a Methodist church. In a show of co-operation the Methodist Minister welcomes AICA delegates.

West, Martin

University of Cape Town libraries

Centre for Curating the Archive, University of Cape Town

1969-1971

all rights reserved Martin West

image/jpeg

colour

martin_West_333

AICA conference Sunday church service

African Independent Churches in Soweto

AICA. Scenes from a Sunday church service at the conference.

West, Martin

University of Cape Town libraries

Centre for Curating the Archive, University of Cape Town

1969-1971

all rights reserved Martin West

image/jpeg

colour

martin_West_332

AICA conference Sunday church service

African Independent Churches in Soweto

AICA. Scenes from a Sunday church service at the conference.

West, Martin

University of Cape Town libraries

Centre for Curating the Archive, University of Cape Town

1969-1971

all rights reserved Martin West

image/jpeg

colour

martin_West_331

AICA conference Sunday church service

African Independent Churches in Soweto

AICA. Scenes from a Sunday church service at the conference.

West, Martin

University of Cape Town libraries

Centre for Curating the Archive, University of Cape Town

1969-1971

all rights reserved Martin West

image/jpeg

colour

martin_West_330

AICA conference Sunday church service

African Independent Churches in Soweto

AICA. Scenes from a Sunday church service at the conference.

West, Martin

University of Cape Town libraries

Centre for Curating the Archive, University of Cape Town

1969-1971

all rights reserved Martin West

image/jpeg

colour

martin_West_329

AICA conference Sunday church service

African Independent Churches in Soweto

AICA. Scenes from a Sunday church service at the conference. Those attending included members of several churches, and representatives of foreign donors.

West, Martin

University of Cape Town libraries

Centre for Curating the Archive, University of Cape Town

1969-1971

all rights reserved Martin West

image/jpeg

colour

martin_West_328

BBCAC Archbishop Radebe at AICA conference Sunday chruch service

African Independent Churches in Soweto

AICA. Scenes from a Sunday church service at the conference. Archbishop M P Radebe of the Bantu Bethlehem Christian Apostolic Church of SA (1) preaching at an outdoor service.

West, Martin

University of Cape Town libraries

Centre for Curating the Archive, University of Cape Town

1969-1971

all rights reserved Martin West

image/jpeg

colour

martin_West_327

BBCAC Archbishop Radebe at AICA conference Sunday chruch service

African Independent Churches in Soweto

AICA. Scenes from a Sunday church service at the conference. Archbishop M P Radebe of the Bantu Bethlehem Christian Apostolic Church of SA (1) preaching at an outdoor service.

West, Martin

University of Cape Town libraries

Centre for Curating the Archive, University of Cape Town

1969-1971

all rights reserved Martin West

image/jpeg

colour

martin_West_326

AICA conference, Soweto

African Independent Churches in Soweto

AICA conference, Soweto.

West, Martin

University of Cape Town libraries

Centre for Curating the Archive, University of Cape Town

1969-1971

all rights reserved Martin West

image/jpeg

colour

martin_West_325

AICA conference, Soweto

African Independent Churches in Soweto

AICA conference, Soweto.

West, Martin

University of Cape Town libraries

Centre for Curating the Archive, University of Cape Town

1969-1971

all rights reserved Martin West

image/jpeg

colour

martin_West_324

AICA conference, Soweto

African Independent Churches in Soweto

AICA conference, Soweto.

West, Martin

University of Cape Town libraries

Centre for Curating the Archive, University of Cape Town

1969-1971

all rights reserved Martin West

image/jpeg

colour

martin_West_323

AICA conference, Soweto

African Independent Churches in Soweto

AICA conference, Soweto.

West, Martin

University of Cape Town libraries

Centre for Curating the Archive, University of Cape Town

1969-1971

all rights reserved Martin West

image/jpeg

colour

martin_West_322

AICA conference, Soweto

African Independent Churches in Soweto

AICA conference, Soweto.

West, Martin

University of Cape Town libraries

Centre for Curating the Archive, University of Cape Town

1969-1971

all rights reserved Martin West

image/jpeg

colour

martin_West_321

AICA conference, Soweto

African Independent Churches in Soweto

AICA conference, Soweto.

West, Martin

University of Cape Town libraries

Centre for Curating the Archive, University of Cape Town

1969-1971

all rights reserved Martin West

image/jpeg

colour

martin_West_320

AICA conference, Soweto

African Independent Churches in Soweto

AICA conference, Soweto.

West, Martin

University of Cape Town libraries

Centre for Curating the Archive, University of Cape Town

1969-1971

all rights reserved Martin West

image/jpeg

colour

martin_West_319

AICA conference, Soweto

African Independent Churches in Soweto

AICA conference, Soweto.

West, Martin

University of Cape Town libraries

Centre for Curating the Archive, University of Cape Town

1969-1971

all rights reserved Martin West

image/jpeg

colour

martin_West_318

AICA conference, Soweto

African Independent Churches in Soweto

AICA conference, Soweto.

West, Martin

University of Cape Town libraries

Centre for Curating the Archive, University of Cape Town

1969-1971

all rights reserved Martin West

image/jpeg

colour

martin_West_317