Outcry over 'racist' sermon in Joburg church

Rivers Church Pastor Andrew Olivier allegedly called black people lazy, saying they wanted to fleece hard-working white people.

Rivers Church Pastor Andrew Olivier allegedly called black people lazy, saying they wanted to fleece hard-working white people.

Published Jun 28, 2016

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Johannesburg - One of Johannesburg’s largest charismatic churches became embroiled in a racism storm on Monday after its senior pastor allegedly called black people lazy, saying they wanted to fleece hard-working white people.

Pastor Andrew Olivier is alleged to have made the comments during services at his Morningside, Sandton, church on Sunday, creating a Twitter storm that led to #RiversChurch trending for hours.

A man who attended the service said on Monday that Olivier told the congregants: “White people aren’t bad, it’s the black people that are lazy”.

“The pastor was talking about entitlement, saying he doesn’t believe white people are privileged.

“He then remarked on calls for white people to share their wealth, saying: ‘I would not share my wealth; I worked hard for it. You black people should go out and work for yourself. I’ve worked for it (wealth) and I’m entitled’,” the man said.

He said the remarks left him shocked.

A caller to Xolani Gwala’s show on 702 said Olivier had also said it upset him “when black people say we steal their land”.

“The pastor said: ‘Can I tell you why white people have land? Because God favoured them’. Then he went on to say God sent white people to help black people.

“He mentioned that everybody has to work hard for what they had. He said what he had wasn’t stolen from any black person; he worked hard for it.

“I was so upset. I was saddened to hear him say that,” said the woman who called the radio station.

In his defence, Olivier denied all the claims, saying “sensitive hearts have taken this out of context”.

“I never said that (blacks are lazy). It wasn’t a racist comment but a nation-building comment.

“I said God uses people and sends them into our lives. I then said 'Black people, God will send white people to you and white people, God will send black people to you.'

“I said to white people: ‘Be open when God sends black people into your lives,” according to Olivier.

He said his church “fed black children every week”.

On Twitter and Instagram, his wife Wilma said: “Those who know us will know that the enemy has taken this and is trying to form a weapon against us”.

But Twitter users were not kind, with the City of Joburg tweeting: “We rebuke the spirit of racism #Riverschurch^TK”, and @chiefntshingila saying “this is supposed to be a MAN OF GOD!!! Any black person who defends this is an idiot.”

One of the people who attended the service, ‏@naledi-khumalo tweeted: “I was at that service, it was tense and uncomfortable but he did not say black people are lazy.”

Also disputing the racism allegations was @Tarryn-Anne, who said: “ Somma amazing how this spiritual attack comes when you opening 2 churches! Don’t stop building into this nation Ps Andre.”

Top Billing presenter Lorna Maseko also took to Twitter saying: “Ps @AndreGOlivier & @wilmaeolivier have been so supportive to me. They are great leaders who love God, love people and love life.”

When contacted for comment on Monday, a woman who answered the church landline requested an e-mail, which had not been responded to at the time of publication.

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