07/12/2025
FOREIGNERS AND ADVENTISM IN SOUTH AFRICA
Between 2007 and 2008, there was what I call "The Second Great Exodus " as Zimbabweans and other nationals left their native countries flocking into South Africa. What seemed to be a curse became a blessing especially for Adventism in the Rainbow nation.
In the Transvaal Conference [TC] (now Northern Conference of South Africa)[NCSA] between 2008 and 2014, number of churches increased from 86 to 125 (increase of 39 churches). Its membership went from 10,935 to 17,812 [6,877 member increase].
Trans-Orange Conference [TOC): number of churches went from 241 to 287 (increase of 46 churches), its membership went from 25,292 to 39,405 (14,113 member increase)
Source: God's Grace to our African Race Vol.1 : A brief history and heritage of Black Adventism in ghe United States and Southern Africa (2nd Ed. 2021) p.122,123.
*NB please note that these statistics are only for two conferences located in Johannesburg, Gauteng Province of South Africa.
Paul Sibanda Paulie Sibbs