Kwasizabantu

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kwa Sizabantu Mission
Kwa Sizabantu Mission (South Africa)
Kwa Sizabantu Mission
Kwa Sizabantu Mission
Coordinates 29 ° 5 ′  S , 30 ° 58 ′  E Coordinates: 29 ° 5 ′  S , 30 ° 58 ′  E
Basic data
Country South Africa

province

KwaZulu-Natal
District Umzinyathi
ISO 3166-2 ZA-KZN
local community Umvoti
height 975 m
Website www.kwasizabantu.com (English)

Kwasizabantu ( Zulu for "place where people are helped", KSB for short , officially Kwa Sizabantu Mission ) is the name of the settlement area of ​​an evangelical mission community that was founded in what was then Natal , South Africa , in the mid-1960s with the aim of promoting Christian beliefs ( Gospel ). The place was recognized as an official settlement. It is located in Umzinyathi District in Umvoti Municipality and is at an altitude of 975 meters above sea level.

The alleged miracles through which the mission was able to establish itself led to the discussion whether the community should be counted as part of the charismatic movement. The mission leadership itself distances itself from Pentecostal and charismatic influences.

In public, Kwasizabantu is controversial because of sect-like practices that can be traced back to the tradition of the Zulu and the African churches .

Mission Kwasizabantu

The Kwasizabantu Mission sees itself today as a community. The organization's activities extend to missionary work worldwide. Especially in Eastern Europe, Kwasizabantu founded offshoot organizations.

The German number of members is around 300. The sponsors of the German communities are three non-profit associations. The southern German association is based in Lindach in Swabia , a district of Schwäbisch Gmünd . There is also the assembly hall of the largest German congregation and the private Domino Servite School Lindach . It has meanwhile been expanded into a primary and secondary school. The school does not belong to the Evangelisches Schulwerk in Württemberg (umbrella organization of Protestant schools), the student body consists of around 60% children from their own community and around 40% children from other denominations.

The political and cultural work of Kwasizabantu is done in Germany by the association Christians for Truth , whose members are congruent to Kwasizabantu. Christians for the truth propagated u. a. the chastity campaign from the USA, True Love Waiting in Germany and Switzerland.

There are no organized relationships between Kwasizabantu and other Christian communities.

distribution

The company has gained a foothold in various countries around the world. Its most important location is the founding place in South Africa. There are also numerous subsidiary locations there, for example in Cape Town and Pretoria .

In Europe, the Mission is represented in the following countries, among others:

history

The origins of KSB go back to Erlo Stegen , whose German ancestors were sent to Africa as missionaries by the Hermannsburg Mission in the mid-19th century . As their descendant, he has a strictly Lutheran background. First, the Stegen family proselytized among the Zulu in what was then Natal , today KwaZulu-Natal . The name KwaSizabantu means "place of help for people" and existed as a field name even before the mission. He was picked up by the Stegen family.

From 1980 the mission founded independent congregations in Europe, with a focus on Germany and Switzerland. Today (2006) Erlo Stegen heads the South African mission, his older brother Friedel Stegen the churches in Europe.

According to their own statements, the revival , which is said to continue to this day, began in Maphumulo in 1966/67 . In 1970 the community moved to an acquired farm called Kwasizabantu . The mission has been working under this motto ever since.

In Germany the theologian Kurt E. Koch became a pioneer. He reports several times in his books about his experiences in South Africa.

Social engagement in South Africa

The Federal Ministry of Family Affairs has Mission Kwasizabantu southern Germany eV in Schwabisch Gmund in 2002 as a vehicle for the obligations of other service abroad after §14b Civilian Service Act recognized. The community service providers are used by the tax-privileged association in South Africa.

Educational institutions

The following institutions are run at the mission station in South Africa:

  • The Domino Servite School ( Latin for "Serve the Lord"), a primary and secondary school. It was founded in 1986 and is run according to missionary principles. The degree enables access to study in South Africa.
  • The Tabitha Adult School is a school for illiterate adults and primarily addresses the Zulu. The school, which was founded in 1990, also offers English and computer courses.
  • The Cedar College of Education ( English for "Cedar College for Pedagogy") is a private university and affiliated with the Northwest University . The school also trains foreign students, but the qualification is not internationally recognized everywhere. The school was founded in 1997.
  • The Thembalethu Play Center (isiZulu for “Our Hope”) is a kindergarten.

Social engagement in Europe

Educational institutions

  • Germany: Free Evangelical School Lindach, a primary and secondary school
  • Switzerland: Domino Servite School Hof Oberkirch Kaltbrunn

Other domino servite schools exist in France, the Netherlands and Romania, among others.

The schools are mainly attended by the children of the supporters and by communities close to them.

Leisure time

Every year the mission organizes a one-week European meeting in summer, in which the leaders Erlo and Friedel Stegen take part as main speakers. The previously two-week meeting (one week each for youth and family leisure time) was shortened to four days, as more regional leisure time is now taking place at the European locations.

The one to three thousand participants are encouraged to attend a lecture two to three times a day and are also fed on the premises. The camps that were initially organized in Alsace are now taking place in Bilten (Switzerland), where a company belonging to the mission, Hof Oberkirch AG (Managing Director Jürg Läderach), was able to acquire an old industrial site.

Economic activities

In order to be able to finance the location in South Africa and the schools, the Stegen family has founded various companies in South Africa with the following fields of activity:

aQuellé

The Ekhamanzi Springs water bottling factory - better known under the brand name aQuellé - has now become the most important and largest company on the mission . After several unsuccessful drillings, a water vein was found on the site in 1996. Probably the water comes from the Drakensberg . The water quality was tested by the SABS ( South African Bureau of Standards ) and declared as extraordinary by an expert. The managing directors of the corporation are Erlo, Friedel and Arno Stegen as well as Fano Sibisi (deceased 2011), who also own all shares. The company itself was founded in 1998 and is now one of the largest manufacturers of bottled drinking water in South Africa. The company's marketing strategy includes sponsoring various sporting events in the region, of which the Spar aQuellé Tournament (soccer tournament) and the Mudman (triathletic sporting event) are the best known.

Vegetable growing

Mainly paprika and spinach are grown in large plastic tunnels and two glass greenhouses . The plants are supplied with the necessary nutrients via a hydroponic system and an irrigation system from Israel. The seedlings are grown by yourself. Some of the greenhouses are located on the neighboring Silverstream Farm, which is also part of the mission. At the moment a 2 hectare glass roof is being built to expand the business, including kiwi and artichokes. The company itself is also a private company of the Stegen family.

Bonlé Dairy

In order to meet their own milk needs, a dairy was built on the mission site and later a modern milking system was installed. Various yoghurts are made according to German recipes, which are popular in South Africa. The yogurts are advertised as being low in fat and particularly healthy because they are gelatin-free and do not contain any starch. The natural yoghurt does not contain any preservatives or sugar. In addition, pro - and prebiotics added. In addition to milk and yoghurts, sour and fresh cream are made. There is also a selection of fruit juices and nectars and Amazi , a type of curdled milk. The cattle are kept on a Mission-owned farm in Mooi River . The company is also a stock corporation, whose share capital is held by the Stegens.

Avocados

Some of the avocados grown at the mission station are also exported to Great Britain. In the modern packaging and sorting facility, contract orders from surrounding farmers are also taken over.

Other companies based on the mission:

  • Noodle factory
  • beekeeping
  • pottery
  • Carpentry
  • Auto repair shop
  • Supermarket branch
  • Bakery (some are baked according to German recipes)
  • weaving
  • Cultivation of Artemisia (wormwood tea) against malaria

Associated organizations

Organizations that officially exist under the auspices of KSB or are linked to it:

  • Christians for Truth eV (CFT :) Organization for the preservation of Christian values ​​in society
  • Eurochor eV: The youth choir consists of young people from Europe who either belong to the mission or are close friends of KSB and therefore also represent the same values.
  • True Love Waits (sub-organization of CFT): Organization of young people who commit themselves to a signed self-commitment to sexual abstinence before marriage. Since January 2011 the movement has been called preciousyouth in Switzerland . She is active in many European countries, but is still personally and ideologically connected to the Kwa Sizabantu Mission. It has been called Young and Precious since summer 2012 .
  • Affected hospital: Lebensrechtgruppe (Switzerland)
  • Action Schiphra and Pua: Right to Live Group (Germany)
  • Bible and Scripture Mission Kurt Koch: among other things, publication of the mission’s own scriptures
  • Missionary organization “Help the Next”: Althütte - Erlo Stegen is also the director of the organization
  • Rugul Aprins Association: Swiss association for the transport of goods to Romania (charitable)
  • JIREH Development South Africa: Association to support AIDS orphanage (on the board of cft Vice President Juerg Läderach and his son-in-law E. Duvell)

Allegations and criticism

KSB came under public criticism in 2000 through an article in the Protestant publication ideaSpektrum . It reported flogging at the mission school; Likewise, allegations were made that KSB was entangled with the South African secret service. The background to this was a meeting of senior pastors from the largest churches in South Africa in 2000, at which 20 former members of the mission had their say in a hearing. A detailed document was drawn up on this; Since then, criticism of Kwasizabantu has been considered well-founded and necessary in church circles.

Dealing with members

Former members speak of very hurtful experiences, dubious and disreputable practices, disregard for human dignity and an autocratic leadership style.

The bond with a personal pastor plays an important role in everyday life. Sometimes pastors and "elders" are also addressed as "uncle" in European communities. The social structure of the communities is paternalistic and has authoritarian traits. KSB justifies this by stating that the “high standard” of biblical morality must be maintained.

Strict rules of conduct and dress apply within the community, summarized in the “standard”. Classical, conservative clothing is therefore mandatory, jewelry, fashion hairstyles and make-up are prohibited. Fiancés are not allowed to have contact before the wedding, and there are strict rules about the wedding. Failure to observe the standard leads to exclusion from the community, even if its rules cannot be derived directly from the Bible.

At the "Domino Servite" schools, corporal punishment is said to be a means of education and - at least in KSB Africa - the virginity of the pupils is said to have been checked after the school holidays. Parents are also encouraged to physically punish their children. The suspicion that marriages are arranged by pastors is rejected by KSB and is also difficult to prove in practice. The Stegens are also accused of spiritual abuse and manipulation of the members of their mission. Above all, the strong emphasis on sin and the resulting fear of one's own faultiness and the expected judgment are used. In this context, Erlo Stegen in particular must be accused of being a power man.

Miraculous healings

The miraculous healings of Erlo Stegen, during which he lays hands on people who are occultly burdened , are also to be viewed critically ; then locusts, needles and frogs should leave the body. In Zulu culture, this is a sign of a white wizard. Furthermore, there are repeated reports of AIDS cures on KSB, which, however, cannot be proven medically.

Economic ties

The economic ties between the companies and the Stegen family as well as the handling of donations should also be critically examined. The events surrounding a diamond mine in Stegens in the 80s and 90s raise many questions. Friedel Stegen is said to have collected between 15 and 50 million D-Marks for investments in the mine. The mine then went bankrupt and most investors lost all of their invested money. Some investors were able to get some of their money back through comparisons .

In the search for water on the mission site, a dowser is said to have been used, which then found the spring, which is now very rich.

Publications (selection)

  • God among the Zulus , Kurt E. Koch , Bible and Scripture Mission Dr. Kurt E. Koch eV, Schwäbisch Gmünd , 1995 (The history of the mission)
  • Awakening among the Zulus , Erlo Stegen, Bible and Scriptures Mission Dr. Kurt E. Koch eV, Schwäbisch Gmünd, 1993, 4th edition (Spiritual principles and experiences) ( here in English as PDF)
  • Where is a god like you are , Bärbel Koch, Bibel and Scripture Mission Dr. Kurt E. Koch eV, Schwäbisch Gmünd, Volume 1 (3rd edition 2002) to 4, (reports on Kwasizabantu)

literature

  • Joachim Rosenthal: Kwasizabantu - Erlo Stegen and the awakening among the Zulus. Christian Literature Distribution eV, Bielefeld, 2000
  • Albert Pilon: Is this a Genuine Revival? A Missiological Investigation about the Revival among the Zulus. Optima Grafische Communicatie, Rotterdam, 2016

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Bike Route Toaster . Archived from the original on September 18, 2009. Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved May 19, 2010. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.bikeroutetoaster.com
  2. ↑ a b c d e f g Marcus Mockler: The controversial KSB mission is camouflaged behind a network of Christian initiatives . In: idea spectrum . No. 31 , 2000 ( online [accessed May 19, 2010]). online ( Memento of the original from October 11, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link has been inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.ksb-alert.com
  3. ↑ a b c d Georg Otto Schmid: Missionswerk Kwasizabantu . Evangelical Information Center: Churches - Sects - Religions of the Evangelical Reformed Church of the Canton of Zurich. 2000. Retrieved May 19, 2010.
  4. ↑ a b Evangelical Community Service for Württemberg (ed.): Handbook for parish councilors . Gesangbuch-Verlag Stuttgart GmbH, Stuttgart 2007, ISBN 978-3-931895-36-5 , p. 305 f . ( PDF; 1.75 MB [accessed on May 19, 2010]). PDF; 1.75 MB ( memento of the original from October 6, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Parish Council Handbook 2007  ( page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (PDF file, 1.8 MB) from www.gemeindedienst.de PDF; 1.75 MB ( memento of the original from October 6, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.gemeindedienst.de @1@ 2Template: Toter Link / www.gemeindedienst.de   @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.gemeindedienst.de
  5. ↑ Albert Pilon: Is this a Genuine Revival? A Missiological Investigation about the Revival among the Zulus . Optima Grafische Communicatie, Rotterdam 2016, ISBN 978-94-6169-837-7 , p. 90–97 (English, ksb-alert.com [PDF; accessed on May 7, 2019] Dutch: Is dit werkelijk een Opwekking? Een Missiologischer Onderzoek naar de Opwekking onder de Zoeloes . Translated by Dr. David E. Orton).
  6. ↑ - ( Memento of the original from August 2, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.weltanschauungsbeauftragte.elk-wue.de
  7. ↑ Information sheet “Other services abroad” (PDF; 191 kB) Federal Office for Civilian Service. S. July 19, 2009. Retrieved May 19, 2010.
  8. ↑ Educational Projects ( English ) Kwasizabantu Mission . Archived from the original on June 21, 2009. Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved May 19, 2010. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.kwasizabantu.com
  9. ↑ Self-help projects ( English ) Kwasizabantu Mission . Archived from the original on June 11, 2010. Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved May 19, 2010. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.kwasizabantu.com
  10. ↑ An article in the Sunday newspaperGermanVersion (PDF) Retrieved in?; File no longer accessible.  ( Page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.@1@ 2Template: Dead Link / www.ksb-alert.nl  
  11. ^ Water Analysis . aQuellé . Retrieved in?; Page no longer accessible.
  12. ↑ Unknown . Retrieved in?; Page no longer accessible.  ( Page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.@1@ 2Template: Dead Link / www.developtechnology.com  
  13. ↑ aQuellé Mudman Series ( English ) aQuellé . Archived from the original on September 3, 2010. Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved May 19, 2010. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.aquelle.co.za
  14. ↑ Unknown . Retrieved in?; Page no longer accessible.  ( Page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.@1@ 2Template: Dead Link / www.developtechnology.co.za  
  15. ↑ Why Bonlé? . Retrieved in?; Page no longer accessible.  ( Page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.@1@ 2Template: Dead Link / www.bonle.co.za  
  16. ↑ Unknown . Retrieved in?; Page no longer accessible.
  17. ↑ Jens Nissen: What is behind “True Love Waits” . Archived from the original on February 4, 2010. Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved May 19, 2010. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.ksb-alert.com
  18. ^ Precious Youth Switzerland. (No longer available online.) Precious Youth Switzerland, archived from the original on November 3, 2011 ; Retrieved February 8, 2011 .
  19. ^ Young and Precious. Young and Precious, accessed July 16, 2012 .
  20. ↑ club Rugul Aprins, Oberrohrdorf . Retrieved May 19, 2010.
  21. ↑ JIREH TRUST ( English ) Archived from the original on August 29, 2005. Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved May 19, 2010. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.jireh.org.za
  22. ↑ Activities of Kwasizabantu Mission ( English ) Kwasizabantu Mission . Archived from the original on December 15, 2009. Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved May 19, 2010. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.kwasizabantu.com
  23. ↑ a b priest Moss Nthla: Report on the Kwa Sizabantu Mission (South Africa) . June 23, 2000. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved May 19, 2010. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.ksb-alert.com
  24. ↑ KSB Alert. Retrieved September 11, 2011 .
  25. ↑ We have left the high standard! (No longer available online.) KSB Alert, archived from the original on August 15, 2009 ; Retrieved September 11, 2011 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.ksb-alert.com
  26. ^ Joachim Rosenthal: Kwasizabantu . Erlo Stegen and the awakening among the Zulus. CLV , Bielefeld 2000, ISBN 3-89397-456-3 , p. 15 ( PDF; 245 kB [accessed on May 19, 2010]).
  27. ↑ Bärbel Koch: circular . No. 139 , 2005.
  28. ↑ Dr. Gabriele Lademann-Priemer: PhD thesis . North Elbian Church , 1988.
  29. ↑ Jens Nissen: Erlo bars and miraculous healings that never existed . Archived from the original on February 8, 2008. Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved May 19, 2010. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.ksb-alert.com
  30. ↑ Heike and Klaus Schmoll: Why we left… . August 2007. Archived from the original on September 15, 2008. Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved May 19, 2010. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.ksb-alert.com
  31. ↑ Mr. Stegen pays without recognizing any legal obligation ... (No longer available online.) KSB Alert, archived from the original on September 28, 2013 ; Retrieved September 11, 2011 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.ksb-alert.com
  32. ↑ Erlo Stegen: Tour 1996 Bern on cassette.