Spiritual guide’s new book gets enthusiastic reception
Visitors to the Walmer Park Shopping Centre looked on with amazement as a frenetic crowd lined up outside Exclusive Books on Friday.
A red carpet and a troop of cadets milling about made for a parade-like atmosphere at an exciting book launch.
The craze accompanying the unveiling paved the way in Gqeberha for Imboni (spiritual guide) Dr Uzwi-Lezwe Radebe, author of An Introduction into Afrikan Indigenous Spirituality, to ready his pen for a signing.
Exploring the difference between religion, universal spirituality and African indigenous spirituality, it is his first adult work, having previously published children’s books.
His latest children’s offering is Trillion Dollar Kids: Agriculture and the Economy.
He said he sought in the adult book to clearly distinguish the sectors of universal and African spirituality and religion and their functions in places where they were practised.
He said the endeavour had been spurred on by a prevailing lack of knowledge, particularly about African spirituality, due to colonial ideals imposed throughout the continent.
“We were also colonised religiously,” he said.
“I chose the title to [impart the idea] that we’re now relearning and unlearning.
“We must go back and trace our spiritual footsteps.
“The knowledge about [indigenous] spirituality, which informed all parts of our lives, has been lost.”
He said this loss had contributed to a less than desirable status for Africans across the globe.
The concept of spirituality has existed since time immemorial, the introduction of the book says.
It further expands on Radebe’s views that “Afrikan” indigenous spirituality has withered over time due to the introduction of universal religion, fabricating a narrative of a spiritual supreme being born out of the arrival of missionaries.
“Literature on the spirituality of the Afrikan people has consistently perpetuated a skewed narrative that Afrika is a religious continent,” it says.
Radebe said research by his institution, African Hidden Voices, set up to retrace the steps of, among others, past Imbonis and their work, in addition to his experiences and revelations as one, informed the book.
It mainly challenges the wider black African public to seek their spiritual roots, though calling on the attention of people from different walks of life practising so-called universal spirituality.
“My revelations informed the book ancient things revealed to me though I’m still young.
“The research institution validates and organises [facts] through its research.”
He said An Introduction into Afrikan Indigenous Spirituality, published in December and previously launched in Johannesburg and Cape Town, was the first in an intended series on the subject.
Shop manager Tiaan van der Merwe said it added a different dynamic to the shelves and extended the author’s already-established popularity locally.
“His books sell well, and he has quite a devout following,” Van der Merwe said.