The Bishops of the Bantu Church of Christ

Mlungisi (M.G.) Bebula — 6th Bishop

Took office following the passing of Bishop Dr. John Bolana. In the months that followed, the ANC's leadership visited him in Gqeberha, reaffirming the party's decades-long ties with the Church — a separate act of recognition, continuing a pattern stretching back to Deputy President Zuma's address at the Church's 90th anniversary in 2004.

A fuller biography for Bishop M.G. Bebula is being prepared with the Church and will be added here once it is written and approved. The paragraph above reflects the verified facts of his succession to date.

"Inkonzo isiyolo sabantwana bakaThixo." — "Worship is the joy of the children of God."

Dr. John Bolana — 5th Bishop

Born in Stutterheim, Eastern Cape, 26 December 1943. Led the Church for nearly 25 years, growing it to an estimated 2.5 million members across South Africa and the SADC region. Visited congregations in Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Eswatini and Zimbabwe; awarded the Freedom of the City of Bulawayo (2002) and of Grahamstown (2003); built almost 30 Temples; led the Church into its 90th anniversary (2004) and centenary (2014); oversaw the Museum's redesign and reopening in December 2025. Died at Greenacres Hospital, Gqeberha, aged 82, and was honoured with a special provincial official funeral.

Dr. January Mfaninye Monki — 4th Bishop

Born in Noupoort, Eastern Cape, September 1928. Served nearly 50 years at the Church headquarters, beginning as the founder's driver and rising to Treasurer. Founded the drum majorettes, the National Youth Festival (1992) and the gospel group (1994); awarded an honorary Doctorate in Divinity by Georgian University (1998); oversaw the reburial of his predecessors and the erection of the Church monument (1998) and founded the Church Museum (1999).

Joel Tuli Pitana — 3rd Bishop

Born in Kirkwood, Eastern Cape, 1914. A skilled builder, sent throughout the country to construct Temples under his predecessors before leading the Church himself — including a world-class Temple at the headquarters with a modern administrative block and baptismal pool, and the Soweto Temple. Established the Church's missionary vehicle fleet.

Lulu Fibi — 2nd Bishop

Born in Stutterheim, Eastern Cape, 1907. An entrepreneur and trusted administrator — known to the congregation as "Bhayaya" — deployed by the founder across the country, including years spent building the Church in Cape Town. Built 29 Temples and championed education during his tenure.

James Ngcanjini Limba — 1st Bishop, Founder

Born c. 1878 at Ngqele, Middledrift district, Eastern Cape. While working as a railway porter at Kendrew, received the vision that led him to found the Church, preaching first in Cape Town — in Ndabeni, on the trains, at the Grand Parade — before establishing the headquarters at New Brighton, Port Elizabeth, in 1928. Built the Temple (1937) and Bishop's Palace (1938); received King George VI in 1947; became one of the most prominent African church founders of his era, ranked alongside Isaiah Shembe and Ignatius Lekganyane.

Praised by the poet S.E.K. Mqhayi as "Ngangegunya!" — "one equal to authority."