‘Train churches’ boom
Fisani Moabelo, itinerant preacher with a difference
Church leaders have grabbed headlines with their controversial rituals‚ from feeding worshippers grass to administering prayers to cure erectile dysfunction.
But some preachers are offering their services in a less glamorous setting.
Among the hundreds of train commuters who board the 6am train from Naledi to Johannesburg is Fisani Moabelo‚ one of the itinerant train preachers.
The mother of two from Protea‚ Soweto‚ conducts her session every weekday as she heads to work.
“This is a calling. I know some people are against having a female preacher the same way others say women are not supposed to be in leadership positions. But we are all created the same. My responsibility is to share the knowledge and motivate others through prayer‚” said Moabelo.
The packed train Moabelo travels in is alive with soul-soothing African hymns.
“Ukholo lami ngizonyuka nalo‚” com- muters cheerfully sing as the train approaches Kwezi‚ collecting more passengers heading to Johannesburg.
Moved by the melody‚ commuters clap hands. With the Bible in her hand‚ Moabelo paces around the coach as she reads a few scriptural passages. Hawkers, selling their wares, compete for the same audience, causing no major distraction.
“Toilet paper‚ R4 one‚” shouts a man carrying a big plastic bag. The seller slowly walks through the coach and nobody buys his product. Moabelo takes no notice. A few commuters‚ mostly school children‚ also take no notice. They focus instead on their cellphones. But the majority of passengers pay attention.
“The people preaching in the trains are doing a great job‚” said commuter Thulani Mabaso. But not every commuter likes to be part of the morning church.
“We have a lot of fake preachers. People are using religion to make an income‚” said Pamela Moloi .
Moabelo offers a closing prayer as the train reaches Johannesburg station around 6.50am. Passengers walk out without having been asked to make financial contributions.