Stainglass Ifalakhe must return on our screen

I am a South African, but sometimes. I do not understand why South Africans are slow to act sometimes. Especially on the things they love to watch on their television screens. For example, a just a few years ago.The country was treated to the most outstanding 13 episode TV drama, Ifalakhe on Mzansi Magic. The drama had twitter buzzing, crashed facebook pages and walls and had everyone glued on their TV screens that October. Not only to watch the premier of the drama but me as I made my debut as an extra actor.

Yessss!!!! baby, I wasn't gonna make my television appearance a secrete, no matter how small some people thought it was, to me this was a huge step. You can only campare it to your 1st birthday party if you are a milestone celebrator like me. So everyone who knew me, was glued on the screen from the first day waiting for my appearance. I'm talking national newspaper journalists and editors ie your Sunday Times, Sowetan, Business Day,City Press etc. Everybody who knew me back in Port Elizabeth, Alexandra Township, Alberton, Bracken Downs, Soweto knew about my screen debut.

I was not responsible for their expactations though, but this was big to me and worth going all out on self PR. If you wondering what the buzz of the story line was led me fill you up from the press release of Mzansi magic website. Ifalakhe is the story of the powerful Okuhle tribe who wage war against the Khanya people killing their women and children. What makes the situation even more complex is that Khombindlela, the Okuhle king, finds his tribe on the brink of suffering harsh repercussions.

It is true, Ifalakhe was jaw dropping, never seen before story of raging kingdoms, power-hungry kings and their deceptive kin. The spectacular series ws set to enthrall viewers as a dramatic succession of events ensues due to an epic clash between two formidable nations. Ifalakhe season one was created by Stained Glass Productions the story of the powerful Okuhle tribe who wage war against the Khanya people who have been raiding their cattle and killing their women and children. What makes the situation even more complex is that Khombindlela, the Okuhle king, finds his tribe on the brink of suffering harsh repercussions from a prophecy that hangs over his head. This prophecy not only threatens his lineage of the rule of his true heir but also gives him an unnerving task of ensuring it does not come to fruition – heavy indeed is the head that wears the crown!

“The series was set in pre-colonial Southern Africa, which adds a rich texture to the story and makes for, what we feel, is brilliant television,” says Mmamitse Thibedi, Director from production house, Stained Glass. “We’ve worked hard to create an intricate, intriguing plot that highlights the adverse effect of multiple twisted agendas and manipulation of power from the kings themselves and also from characters such as the king’s wives – who have their own selfish ambitions,” she adds.

Starring Bheki Sibiya, Bheki Ngcobo, Chris Radebe and Sthandwa Nzuza the cast of this 13-part drama series focused on ensuring that the authenticity of all the characters is preserved and that the narrative of the era rings true. So that's what the story was about, the main actors were there but we as the extrass were there too. From the day we were on set, we became part of the series, we took pictures to be used later when the drama is on air. So we can have prove that we too were on set.

Truth be told, we were the diamonds that came in small packages. People were used to the main actors and every night they were curious to see us... the no body's who were also in the set and contributed in making the drama alive.

I mean, I had no TV from the day I auditioned for the show until the last episode. But every Sunday, there was a reminder on almost all my socials about the show so that it can generate the necessary or needed viewership. I think everybody assumed from the posts that I had a big tv role. I mean, I was coming from a national newspaper, The Sunday Times so they didn't know you start small in other areas. I've always wanted to try acting since primary. But I had to work on my plan B and C of life first before venturing into art. Reading from past stories and experiences of other South African artists, I had to invest in myself first. Get a drivers license, other qualifications, buy a property and a car, live a normal life before you can take on TV or any public role.

Being an extra on Ifalakhe came at a right time, I was ready knowing how the journalists and everybody will react during and after. Hence I think Stainglass should have another season, yes, isiXhosa sithi into emnandi iyaphindwa guys.

The production company shouldn't leave its viewers hanging, let alone its actors especially its extra special actors. We want Ifalakhe the return baba.

Nigerian born Solomon Izang Ashoms is on a mission to clean up South African churches

According to Solomon Izang Ashom, there are pastors, prophets and there are spiritual gangsters who pose as man of God and manipulate as well as deceive  people.

SPREADING THE WORD...Solomon Ashom is often invited to radio station to talk about bogus churches in South Africa.

To stage their miracle, they recruit desperate job seekers in Hillbrow, Johannesburg and  other parts of poverty stricken Gauteng areas.

https://www.tiktok.com/@khanyikuhle/video/7425639857554328837?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7498655387903772215  This is one of the areas that the so called churches recruit actors for their staged miracle crusades and deliverance services.

YOU TOUCHED MY GODO!!!....Solomon Izang Ashoms is every false prophets nightmare

 This they do by   finding actors who can deceive their  flock into believing that  they have been instantly released from the bondage of being wheelchair bound. 

Some times produce fake medical report and of course it was through this "man of God".

https://x.com/i/status/1099724542010933250

 Through biblical scriptures such as  1 Chronicles 16:22 DO NOT TOUCH MY ANOINTED ONES, DO MY PROPHETS NO HARM.

EVIDENCE ......SCREEN GRAB of how Alph made headlines in 2019

 They instill fear to those that spotted any wrong doing on their parts. They crush their truth by spreading rumors of how this witness to the wrong doing was either going to steal church's money or if its a woman, they want to sleep with the pastor. The witness or truth bearer often backslide.

PROPHET BUSHIRI COLLECTIONS.... A screengrab I took from one of the Bushiri church official. The Collection was close to R200 000 a week.

 You often feel hurt as the church was the only place you thought you were loved.Majority of black South African  Christians are even accused of loving this new cult like church more than their families. This person, is often still  in the spiritual level of being Loved by Jesus and believing they will overcome any challenge their going through. They only need follow any instructions from this man of God.

SMALL BEGINNINGS... get a simple Bible and read the word, understand it first

The foreign you are, the more believable you will be cause even the Bible tells us, a prophet will be more respected elsewhere than at home. So you believe and continue carrying the Bible, only to open it again on Sunday during his service. You feed off whatever he gives you from the very same Bible. 

You do not read beyond what he has prepared for you on Sunday or Bible Study, Home Cell, Choir practice etc. He feeds you the Bible and you take it all and eat it.

Recently, I wanted to give Alph Lukau a trophy and a standing ovation after that resurrection stunt he had pulled two weeks ago. Excuse me for addressing him this down. You see, when Alleluia International Ministries hosted the ladies conference, I was assigned to to do that movie for the then newspaper, I worked for, The Sunday Times.

After the conference, Lukau was seen driving this car

 A page three story that saw me up all night witnessing, a white couple getting married on the spot, proposals I do not know how many to count, and of course the main course was the oil inside the most expensive glass whiskey jar rubbed in all the ladies fingers...Did I get a man after that, NO! I'm still single and not looking. But thanks to the paper for coughing up R2500 ticket for me to witness this most expensive church movie. Lukau who is known to drive the most expensive cars and recently was blessed with a mansion worth over a million in Sandton, has taste for material things.

Alph is well connected too. He conducted the wedding of former President, Jacob Zuma's wedding and he visited the church  twice, according to our knowledge.

His huge office in Sandton Church boast a huge private gym, big flat screen TVs, a leather furnished boardroom and he walks around with body guards and every now and then  he is escorted by the JMPD to church when hosting an event. Oops!! Sorry, did I mention Idols SA tenth season winner,Vincent Bones and Bongani Nchang were leading the worship team during ladies night conference?  But then again, asikholapho, ku rough kwi entertainment industry yase South Africa. Fame doesn' t pay here. Maybe it used to, but it doesn't anymore. The few who tasted money would never share the secrete of how to make money. So we not judging brothers ku rough macala, we understand, gotta do what you gotta do to pay rent,  feed family, provide as man right?

Last year, Solomon organised the Movement against abuse in Churches.

Ten years ago, no one could speak ill of these men of God, Solomon, who is now based in South Africa was just a journalist for a Christian Magazine, the Parable. He was going about his business, when a story of TB Joshua landed on his lap.

 That was the first time I got the barrage of attack from everywhere. That  was even before the September 12 2014 the guest house belonging to the Synagogue Church of All Nation(Scoan) collapsed killing at least 115 people, 84 of them were South Africans.

 https://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/740/171211.html

" I broke the story from a very reliable and close friend of his", said Solomon. "He told me how TB Joshua was not real, there was a mountain that he goes to pray, he hypnotize people, he was  also accused of sleeping with young girls. That story was wide spread to a point that he got hold of my publication, and told his congregation I was gay, he went behind my back and tarnished my name with advertisers.For me this was the beginning of the work, I didn't know I will do. With that story more people came forward with their stories of the abusive, manipulation, family relationships broken all sorts of social ills you can think of that is caused by these so called man of God and we are OK with everything. NO! Not in My Name.

SPEAK OUT... Movements have been establishsed against the abuse in churches.

 People trust me now. In some cases, I am their first point of call as soon as they see there's something fishy or they have enough evidence to expose the person.  I can say the most disturbing story I have ever done were the  two boys molested by their pastors in Soshanguwe Pretoria. That for me was  the most horrific story ever.

Nigerian pastor, Tim Omotoso during his trial for sexually abusing young women

 Don't get me wrong, all cases of sexual abuse are horrific but what made this stand out, the two boys were young and both wanted to be preachers. He molested both of them, one cant relate his story without hitting his head against the wall or cause harm to himself. It is a real painful story. You want to help the person more to find peace because the damage done and the pain is really unbearable even for the person listening to the story.

Solomon will host the one man   protest Sandton, Greyston Drive tomorrow lunchtime and  at Chris Hani in Soweto Thursday March 8

 Solomon said he saw himself more as an activist for Christianity or good." When I started this, no one believed me. There were people who went behind my back and destroyed all my contacts because of what I do. I interrogate every story that lands on my lap. If the evidence is good enough, then I pursue it. If I do not tell the story of the evil then I wouldn't be serving God. I am one of those that says, Not in my name.

SPEAKING OUT... If we can all take part and so Not in my name. Our society  will be freed from False prophets.

"I do not only create the noise on social media but I am actively involved in churches and all community uplifting work. My wife and I have a little charity that we do down in the Eastern Cape. I consider South Africa my second home. My wife is from South Africa and I spend most of my time in South Africa. Then why not help to better the country by doing one thing, that is right.

I come from a Christian home. Back home in Nigeria, we don't believe in any other thing but God. We read and interpret the Bible together. My wife and I do daily devotion together. We ask each other questions of what we think the scripture says before we even go to church.

I love Nigeria but I also love South Africa it is my second home

. I expose and let people decide for themselves the truth. When I first started, no one believed me, I'm from Nigeria and in South Africa and I finance everything that I do. People are starting to believe me now, I did not have an agenda when started. I got death threats to a point where I had to shift my wife from our house.

Amongst many church leaders that Solomon has spoken against include, Malawian Pastor, Shepherd Bushiri popularly known as Major One, Papa, Daddy by his followers.

Bushiri or major one with president Jacob Zuma

It is up until former president, Jacob Zuma left the office that Bushiri and his wife were arrested for, fraud and money laundering early this year. In the past, the Malawian pastor was untouchable. His financial accountant confessed to a journalist that the church pocketed about a million a week in anointing oil, water, car stickers, cds anything sold in the church. Bushiri didn't bank it. It is still unclear if the rock star preacher, a self proclaimed billionaire who filled up FNB stadium before rapper Cassper Nyovest made the term fashionable. He was a trend setter, boasted of owning three privates jets, hotels, all kinds of expensive top of the range cars.

"I know all these victims go to the church not knowing they are deceived. People become so brain washed that they think everything that they need is through this man of God. I think my Nigerian background helped me. I'm not scared of them, I know the worst they can do is kill me. But then that is the price I'm willing to pay for the truth. These guys are all powerful guys and I'm  a nobody. But this is a battle between light and darkness. We all fighting in the spiritual level,"

We need to look after for each other

Drum Magazine was one of the publication that carried a story of a Klerksdorp Bishop who raped and sexually abused women. The whistle blower is said to be under witness protection programme after someone tried to kill her. Pitso is still behind bars.

Solomon says he believes it is the history of South Africa and the beliefs in quick fixes and witch doctors that South Africans fall prey in these foreign pastors. "Majority of these pastors even consult with witch doctors and use magical portion from witch doctors to hypnotize the masses that flock into their churches every Sunday. Him on the other hand has the muti which he wont reveal and the Bible that he carries every day so that people believe they are real. I stand today and I say I know the truth and these people are deceiving you....#Not in my name.

NB if you liked the article, please give us feedback;

Or follow us on
Twitter @ndabenik

facebook: Khanyiswa Ndabeni and @Ndabeni  Creatives @MamaAfrica

Instagram: KhanyiswaSA
You Tube: Khanyi Ndabeni