Cult Profile: An apocalyptic cult known for rejecting medicine and the discovery of dead bodies at their site.
Years Active: 1990s – 2003
Founder: Nokulunga Fiphaza (via Journeyman Pictures)
Overview
Silinde u-Yesu (Awaiting Christ Church) was a South African cult centered around the belief in the imminent second coming of Jesus Christ. Members were expected to live a life of extreme purity and devotion to prepare for Christ’s return. This involved strict lifestyle choices, including dietary restrictions, communal living, and a rejection of technology considered distracting to spiritual devotion. The cult’s leader, Nokulunga Fiphaza, claimed direct divine insight and advocated for a departure from modern societal norms. The group dissolved in 2003 after the arrest of twelve members for concealing deaths.
Key Information
- Religion: Christianity
- Denomination: Evangelical
- Founder: Nokulunga Fiphaza
- Founded: 1990s (estimated)
- Ended: 2003
- Location: Umtata, South Africa
- Size: Over 100 members
- Offshoot of: Apostolic Faith Church
Beliefs and Practices
Core Beliefs
- Imminent Second Coming: The central tenet was the belief in the imminent return of Jesus Christ.
- Purity and Devotion: Members were required to live lives of extreme purity and devotion to prepare for the apocalypse.
- Rejection of Modernity: The cult rejected many aspects of modern society, including technology, certain foods, and conventional education.
- Failed Prophecies: The cult made several incorrect predictions about the date of the apocalypse, including:
- When prophecies failed, it was said that the members were not ready. (source)
Lifestyle and Practices
- Communal Living: Members lived together in a compound. (source, source)
- Dietary Restrictions: The cult had strict dietary guidelines, excluding certain foods.
- Extended Fasts: Members practiced extended fasts, lasting up to two weeks, and leaders fasted for up to thirty days. (source)
- Rejection of Medicine: The cult discouraged seeing doctors and believed sick people should not be treated. (source, source, source)
- Isolation: Members were told to avoid contact with anyone outside the cult. (source) They had no contact with non-member family. (source, source)
- Rejection of Education: Children were not sent to school, as schools were considered “satanic” and “teaching fornication.” (source, source, source)
- Financial Practices:
- Members donated their possessions or “gave up everything.” (source, source)
- Employed members donated all earnings. (source)
- Members sold assets in anticipation of the apocalypse. (source)
- Those in the compound gave up all possessions. (source)
- Members were told to withdraw all money and bring it to the church. (source)
- All who joined either quit their jobs or donated their salaries. (source)
- Members were told to give money to the church for cleansing. (source)
- Marriage and Family:
- All marriages after 1990 were considered void. (source)
- Sexual activity was banned, even for married couples. (source)
- Married couples were not allowed to live together. (source)
- Families were split, with members living in separate quarters. (source)
- Worship and Paranoia:
- Members reportedly spent all their time worshipping. (source)
- Members would beg for food from outsiders. (source)
- Natural phenomena were greeted with paranoia and prayer rituals. (source)
- In August 2000, Nokwali stated long-term planning was futile due to the world’s imminent end. (source)
Leadership and Prophecies
- Nokulunga Fiphaza: Claimed to be a God-ordained prophet named Noah and Abraham. (source)
- Fiphaza and Sisize Nokwali: Both claimed to receive visions from God. (source)
- Sisize Nokwali: Believed animal motifs on South African currency were a sign of the beast from Revelation. (source)
- Nokwali: Claimed to have predicted Nelson Mandela’s rise to power. (source)
- A leader stated that those who left were deemed “wrong” by God. (source)
Controversies and Dissolution
- Isolation and Control: The cult was criticized for isolating members and creating a closed society.
- Rejection of Medical Care: The cult’s rejection of medical treatment led to accusations of murder. (source)
- Concealment of Deaths: The cult believed that no one could get sick or die. (source, source) It’s believed they hid bodies to conceal this contradiction. (source)
- Discovery of Bodies: In 2003, eight bodies, including at least one child, were found in shallow graves at the compound. (source, source)
- Arrests: Twelve members were arrested for concealing deaths. (source, source)
- Flight of the Leader: Nokulunga Fiphaza went on the run after the discovery of the bodies. (source, source)
- Families were not notified of deaths. (source)
- Mourning the dead was considered a sin. (source)
- Dissolution: The cult is believed to have dissolved shortly after the arrests.
- Secrecy: Members refused to talk to the media. (source)
- Lack of Identity: Most members did not have identity documents. (source)
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