IPHC announces a R2.5 billion precinct in Heidelberg 

With the precinct dubbed Kanana City, the International Pentecost Holiness Church (IPHC), known for its IPCC choir, has broken ground for the first phase of the construction project.

Some 50 kilometres south-east of Johannesburg, the making of a new city is rising. Tucked in-between Heidelberg and Nigel, amidst the lush hills and streams of the Highveld, Kanana City is unfolding, and it is going to be the International Pentecost Holiness Church’s (IPHC) greatest creation to date.

On Sunday, 25 September, the IPHC broke ground to the development of its church precinct in Kanana City. It is a proud moment for the IPHC and its three-million strong congregation as its collective spirit and incredible ability to be self-sustaining will shine through during the city’s construction.

According to IPHC spokesperson, Priest Vusi Ndala, the entire development is self-funded through donations and income from entities that have a commercial interest in the church. No loans, bonds or securities are used for any of these projects.

In addition, the church involves technical experts from within the congregation in all development phases. Civil engineers, environmental impact assessors, quantity surveyors and many more will form part of the development team, ensuring the safety and sustainability of the project.

“Having such qualified individuals within our congregation is testament to our self-reliance. We are an empowered group, one that can draw upon our resources and skills to build something as iconic as Kanana City,” said Ndala.

The church is working closely with town planners and the Lesedi Local Municipality to ensure its infrastructure development meets industry standards.

Of the city’s 110 hectares, 67 hectares are earmarked for the 50 000-seater dome and forty-three hectares will be dedicated to commercial and educational purposes.

The dome  and medical health centre will form part of the first phase of development – worth R250-million – and will be the largest congregational arena in the southern hemisphere measuring 15,000 square metres. The site currently has over two hundred ablution facilities, a food court and other amenities associated with the place of worship.

The commercial precinct will include a petrol station, a small shopping complex, brick-making operations, a hotel, a vehicle fitment centre and factories for manufacturing church uniforms and toilet paper that are already in operation.

The entire development of the city is expected to reach the R2.5-billion mark.

An additional unspecified amount will later be invested in entertainment, recreational facilities, and education. An independent school and a skills development centre – the latter is already in operation and provides accredited and non-accredited artisanal training to plumbers, electricians, and technical training in renewable energies – form part of this development phase.

Carrying out the vision of leaders past

The idea of Kanana City is 60 years in the making. Ever since Comforter Frederick Modise founded the IPHC in 1962, building a city for its people has always been a prime objective.

While the current quarrels among the leadership have marred the 60th anniversary celebrations, Ndala said the IPHC, under the current tutelage of Michael Sandlana, is looking towards the next 60 years as it builds a legacy from which its future congregants can benefit and thrive.

“By building Kanana City, Sandlana is carrying out the vision of the leaders before him. He is continuing the work of bringing us together and making us a self-reliant church that can create opportunities for prosperity for ourselves.”

Sandlana fulfilling his role in this era

The IPHC’s spiritual leader’s mission is to fulfil three objectives, said Ndala: to heal the sick, care for widows and care for orphans.

Sandlana recognises that his duties go beyond the actual church ministry, particularly when observes this rapidly changing world and reflects on the lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic. He has therefore set out to improve the lives of his congregants from a socio-economic perspective.  “Healing the sick takes place in the church but taking care of widows and orphans is a social responsibility and it is a continuous, lifelong duty of His Grace,” said Ndala.

Kanana is part of a long-term legacy strategy for the IPHC. It intends to build similar cities, with Melkbosrand in the Western Cape as a potential site for urban development, said Ndala.

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