King Goodwill Zwelithini has hailed a television station dedicated to the Shembe (the eBuhleni Church) as a way to teach young people what is true and good.
This, he said, was important because young people were the future of the nation. He said the channel had come at the right time, when young people needed to be taught not to deviate from the values instilled in them by their parents.
The king said the channel would highlight matters “as they are” and from the point of view of the church, regardless of negative perceptions reflected in other media.
He was speaking at the launch of the Shembe’s uNyazi TV at the eBuhleni temple in Inanda yesterday.
Thousands of Shembe followers attended the launch of the 24-hour television channel dedicated to their religion under the leadership of iNkosi Mduduzi Shembe.
Known as uNyazilwezulu (or uNyazi), Shembe said he was thankful for the work done to establish the channel, which would increase the visibility of the church and show it was growing and developing.
Speaking from a pulpit behind a glass wall, uNyazi’s words blasted out from speakers set up around the vast field cordoned off with whitewashed rocks.
Maidens
Congregants sat in clusters under the shade of sparse trees on grass mats with men, women and maidens separated. They chanted “Bayede” for the king or “amen, you are holy”, for their leader, when each man spoke.
The congregants had earlier made their way up the incline from eBuhleni village, where many were camped for the holy month of July, to the place of worship.
They wore white clothing and were barefoot. They knelt with their hands up in praise as the uNyazi motorcade passed them before the launch.
Executives from the free-to-air television service provider, OpenView HD, addressed the crowds, explaining the channel’s offerings. OpenView HD vendors were on hand for those who wanted to sign up for the decoder and satellite, for a one-off fee. This would allow them to view the channel (plus 18 more) without monthly subscription fees.
KZN Premier Senzo Mchunu said the province was proud that the church had been founded within its borders.
He thanked uNyazi for his spiritual leadership and for the unity encouraged by the Nazareth Baptist Church, with its branches throughout southern Africa.
The channel will go live on Sunday from 5pm on OpenView HD channel 254.
Daily News