Photo Gallery – Soweto at a Glance
Posted on May 7, 2010
The people of Soweto have hope in overcoming the fears of crime and ancestor worship
Soweto, now the most populous black urban residential area in South Africa, is part of Johannesburg and dates back to the days of apartheid.
Soweto township (underdeveloped urban area) is a predominantly poor area, where neighborhoods range from sturdy brick houses to corrugated metal shacks.
Originally, the Soweto townships were little more than slums meant to exist only as dormitory towns for black Africans who worked in white houses, factories and industries.
Soweto is home to three of South Africa’s most famous professional soccer clubs. “Here in South Africa,” says resident Philane Mjijwa, “we have a lot of talent when it comes to soccer, and it is hard to succeed.”
With a population of 2 to 4 million people, Soweto is a melting pot of South African cultures and languages. Streets are filled with people walking, visiting neighbors and greeting one another in passing.
Resident Philane Mjijwa says that Soweto is synonymous with poverty and crime. “Because of that hunger, you tend to do things that are evil,” says Mjijwa.
Soweto is overcrowded and bears a high unemployment rate – which often leads to criminal pursuits. “It’s like survival of the fittest,” says Philane Mjijwa. “Someone will kill someone and be arrested for three days and come out [of jail].”
Sowetan Sibongile Mlotshwa’s poverty and hunger forced her into prostitution. “I would go around asking for money or look for more boyfriends to give me money. Then I would go and buy food for myself.”
Many of the Sowetan residents are addicted to drugs and alcohol. “People must pray for our country,” says resident Mumsy Phori. “Children are suffering. Their mothers have no time for them. They only have time for [marijuana].”
As a child, Philane Mjijwa’s feelings of failure made him turn to drugs, alcohol and crime. “Without God you won’t survive [in Soweto],” says Mjijwa. “There [are] evil spirits around the place.”
IMB missionary Alan Locke is emphatic that the people of Soweto are friendly. “It’s easy to talk to them,” said Locke. “If you visit with someone at their gate, it’s not uncommon to be invited into their house to share with them and to pray with them.”
“Almost everyone is interested in God in some way,” said Alan Locke of Soweto’s residents, “but most of the churches they go to do not preach the Gospel. They mix [their] traditional beliefs with Christianity.”
Most Sowetans believe their dead ancestors can intercede to God on their behalf. The ritualistic items used for the ancestor worship can be bought in a local market where the stench of blood, rotting animals and various herbs permeate the air.
“Syncretism is probably the biggest barrier to the Gospel that we have here, the mixing of traditional beliefs and culture with the Bible,” says Alan Locke. Sowetans may go to church and claim to believe in Jesus, but they will not readily give up ancestor worship.
Alan Locke challenges Christians to pray for Sowetans to recognize the false teachings and false prophets around them, quickly reject them and put their belief in Christ alone.
Alan Locke and his team started a Baptist church in an area called Snake Park about a year and a half ago. This small gathering has been meeting inside a modest, two-room shack when it’s cold and rainy or outside under a tree when the weather cooperates.
Sowetans are thrilled with the coming of the 2010 FIFA World Cup(tm), a soccer tournament that is, arguably, the most-anticipated sporting event on earth. Alan Locke and his team plan to do Bible clubs for kids, street evangelism and sports evangelism during the event.
Alan Locke and his team have started various ministries to build relationships and community with Sowetans. They coach boys’ soccer teams, teach girls’ clubs and lead abstinence and Christian living trainings.
Alan Locke’s desire is that his team’s mass evangelism effort will result in the multiplication of churches throughout the area and ultimately lives being changed for the glory of God.
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