Christianity in South Africa

Christianity is the dominant religion in South Africa, with almost 80% of the population in 2001 professing to be Christian. No single denomination predominates, with mainstream Protestant churches, Pentecostal churches, African initiated churches, and the Catholic Church all having significant numbers of adherents. Importantly, there is significant and sustained syncretism with African Traditional Religion among most of the self-professed Christians in South Africa.

Christianity has played an important role in South African history. Some Christian denominations theologically supported inequality, subjugation and racial segregation (Apartheid), while others opposed it.

In a 2017 News24.com poll conducted during Easter weekend, however, only 38% of about 9000 respondents indicated that they considered the religious significance as the most vital aspect of the holiday, pointing to the increasing secularization of the country.

Christianity arrived in South Africa with settlers, starting with Jan van Riebeeck in 1652, when Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie (VOC, Dutch East India Company) authorized him to establish a post to resupply food and fuel to ships traveling between the Netherlands and Southeast and South Asia. With him came three ships of settlers, who began living in Cape Town and for public worship, only the Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk (or Dutch Reformed Church) was granted to exclusive rights and protection by the settlers (or Boers) till 1806.

In July 1737, Georg Schmidt arrived in South Africa as a Christian missionary, founded the first Protestant mission called the Moravian Brethren. He began working with the Khoi-Khoi tribe. Schmidt established himself at Zoetemelksvlei first, but months later moved to what is now known as Genadendal. In 1742, he baptised five Khoi-khoi slaves. This caused an uproar because the Dutch Reformed Church back then held the view that baptised Christians must be free, not slaves. The controversy and hostility of the European settlers forced Schmidt to leave South Africa two years later, in 1744, bringing to complete halt all Christian missionary activity for about 50 years.

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Wikipedia