Faith In Photography

Sabelo Mlangeni’s study of the South African Zionist Church is fascinating Johannesburg audiences.

- Sabelo Mlangeni

Umlindelo wamaKholwa is the work of multiple prize-winning and internationally exhibited Johannesburg-based photographer Sabelo Mlangeni. The mostly black-and-white photographs by the Market Photo Workshop graduate focus on two South African Zionist church communities.

Zionism is the country’s single largest popular religious movement, with some 15 million members. The title of the exhibition refers to the all-night prayer vigils – imilindelo – that characterise Zionist churches, and during which believers of the community gather together to pray, worship and sing.