Abstract
From the unapologetic and sustained sounds of worship to brick-and-mortar prominence, and processions on the streets, African Initiated Churches , Mainline Protestants and Catholics, and Pentecostals have all developed different ways to claim a place in Alexandra Township, South Africa. The political economy of space frames the distinct features that permeate across religious communities: physical and relational spaces of refuge and opportunity are built on a shared identity that necessitates division: the level of engagement and tactics used to navigate bureaucracy vary widely by economic capacity amid intense competition ; and the exercise of power or claims of authority and legitimacy are constantly re-negotiated by local, regional and transnational networks. These aspects are best conveyed through thick descriptions of diverse religious communities’ sights and sounds, the physical and the ephemeral, and the experienced and the eternal as they vie for space in the one square mile Johannesburg Township of Alexandra.
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Notes
- 1.
- 2.
The RCA is disparagingly known as Beirut, a nickname referencing its violent past, which displaced many residents (Sinwell and Podi 2010).
- 3.
Competition over specific places beyond religious sites includes residency of state provided, or Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP), houses, ownership of spaza shops and influence within the hostels where tension has turned to violence, to name a few examples. Each of these places carries significance as: a symbol of sponsored opportunity for historically disadvantaged groups, economic opportunity and a legacy of ‘divide-and-conquer’ apartheid governance. The scarcity of space references the general shortage of quality housing and sheer density of the area.
- 4.
Pastor, interview, December 12, 2010.
- 5.
When interviewed, the Anglican pastor made the same observation about several of his parishioners. None of the Apostolic Zionist pastors or members mentioned this, although they had members form Soweto and other nearby townships. That some members were economically able to leave Alexandra and chose to return for worship emerged as a marker of success for a few pastors.
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Elder Mark Makane Interview, November 18, 2010.
- 7.
CCT. Constitutional Court of South Africa Case CCT 24/07 Occupiers Of 51 Olivia Road, Berea Township, and 197 Main Street, Johannesburg versus City of Johannesburg Rand Properties (PTY) LTD Minister of Trade and Industry President of the Republic of South Africa (2008). Retrieved from http://www.saflii.org/za/cases/ZACC/2008/1.pdf
- 8.
While we only interviewed leaders (not members) of most of the survey churches, and therefore have no anecdotal reflection on such assumptions, many of Izinyosi ’s members clearly articulated their own identity in contrast to what they perceived Pentecostal and mainline churches to be about.
- 9.
The interviewee lives in Soweto. Nearly one-third of regular members worshipping at Izinyosi in Alexandra live in Soweto; without fail they said that they chose not to live in Alexandra because it is dirty, crowded and unsafe. This interviewee said plans were afoot to start a sister church in Soweto.
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Key Informants
Freddie Chauke, Pastor, Shilo Bible Church
Ephram, Pastor and Manager, Izinyosi Apostolic Church of Zion
Bhengu Fakalieoshwa, Pastor, Izinyosi Apostolic Church of Zion
Om Gomad, Pastor, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa
Mark Makane, Elder, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa
Michael Shezi, Pastor and President, Izinyosi Apostolic Church of Zion
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Hartman-Pickerill, B. (2016). Eyes to See and Ears to Hear: Negotiating Religion in Alexandra Township. In: Wilhelm-Solomon, M., Núñez, L., Kankonde Bukasa, P., Malcomess, B. (eds) Routes and Rites to the City. Global Diversities. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-58890-6_8
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