Johane Masowe (1914–1973, born Shoniwa Masedza) was an African preacher and religious leader. The name "Johane Masowe" means "John of the Wilderness", and alludes to John the Baptist.
..In 1932, Masowe suffered a long illness, and was unable to speak or walk. Afterwards, he believed he had been "sent from Heaven to carry out religious work among the natives".[4] He initially had the nickname "Sixpence".[5]
He spent the 1930s as an itinerant preacher throughout southern Africa, and settled in Port Elizabeth in 1947.[6]
Masowe's followers eventually created several different churches. These include the Masowe weChishanu Church (weChishanu referring to observing the Sabbath on Friday), and the Gospel of God Church, which observes Sabbath on Saturdays.[7]
The term Vapostori is used to describe those who follow the teachings of Masowe as well as some closely linked traditions.Apostles of Johane Maranke is an African Initiated Church movement that was started by Johane Maranke (1912–1963) in Southern Rhodesia in 1932. The "Apostolic Church of John Maranke" (as it is officially called) numbers over 300,000 adherents in five African nations. It is one of the largest movements in the Zionist churches of Africa. The Zionists take on some symbols and practices of Judaism as well as emphasizing faith healing and prophecy. The Apostles of Johane Maranke forbid pork, alcohol, tobacco, and both African and Western medicine. The Star of David is on some of their religious garments. The church is pacifist.
At their services, men sit on the east side and women on the west side. Women are believed to have healing powers. All services are performed outside.
Initiation into the church is through water baptism, usually in pools of running water in rivers and streams. In urban environments, the practice has been restricted as many streams and rivers in urban vicinities are polluted by industrial or domestic effluent. On baptism, the convert is given a new name (usually a Hebrew or biblical one) by a prophet which name he will be called by from thence. After a verbal catechism on the dos and don'ts the convert is allowed to be adorned in the church's regalia. For male converts this consists of an ankle-length white robe; a white undercloth; and a long staff, usually with a loop on the upright end. From then all males are required to shave their heads and keep a goatee permanently. For women, it consists of an ankle-length white robe and a long head veil worn backwards and wide enough to be wrapped around the body like a cloak. The veil is marked by a long red stripe that runs its full length in the centre. Although they use the whole Bible for preaching and instruction, most of the church's doctrines are Jewish and Old Testament oriented.