By Karen Breytenbach
A Tulbagh art dealer beseeched by churchgoers not to invite the wrath of God in the form an earthquake by staging a nude exhibition, is moving his collection to Cape Town for safekeeping.
Anthony Silberberg says he will take no chances with his valuable pieces, from Delacroix to ancient Chinese porcelain and contemporary South African masterpieces, after a prophecy spread like wildfire through the town. The pieces were on display in the historic Monbijou building.
A truck will today pick up 14 rooms full of art, Silberberg said.
"Churchgoers have harassed me with anonymous phone calls at 2am. They said I would be to blame if God visited an earthquake on the town. I can't take any chances," he said.
He claims about five members of the local Ned Geref Kerk had called him, telling him an exhibition of nude paintings would be "stupid".
The parishioners said they had been warned by the local dominee that if the town did not turn to God and repent their sins, "the back of the dragon would open up" and an earthquake would happen on the 37th anniversary of the previous one, be it in physical or figurative form.
Dominee Chris Eksteen said he felt it his duty to inform his congregation of visions by various members of the church, independently and in prayer meetings.
"Some churches in Cape Town received similar messages from God, who asked of them, must I do this before you turn back to me?"
Eksteen, however, stressed that the intention was not to spread fear, as this was not what Christianity was about.
"Ours is not a religion of fear. It is about having a relationship with God. We told our members, do not take the church's word for it, pray about it," he said.
If the residents of Tulbagh turned to God they would have nothing to be afraid of, he reassured.
He denied telling his congregation that the possible upcoming earthquake would happen next Friday.