Opinion / Columnist
100 Most Influential Africans - Religion Featured
09 Dec 2013 at 15:52hrs | Views
What is influence and how do you measure it? It will always be hard to agree on a common understanding and meaning of influence. Understandably, this always generates wide debate. How do we determine these people's influence? And why does it matter that we assemble this list, you may ask. One yardstick we used was to emphasise that influence is not about popularity and popularity is not always influential. The influencer's impact on public, social and political discourse, however, is what largely helps us determine their influence. Over the next few pages, you will find a breadth and wealth of Africans of all nationalities and ages, both women and men, whose actions and reach, we have determined, significantly impacted and realigned the continent's landscape in their fields of endeavour. They contributed in redefining the African narrative in 2013 and we feel they will play a big role in 2014 - hopefully, for Africa's good.
TB Joshua, Prophet - Nigeria
He is the marmite of the religious world, more so in Africa. Love him or hate him, TB Joshua is a religious enigma, that can't be wished away or ignored, given the way he influences his followers. And, may we add, even those who are not, or are die-hard atheists. The controversial founder of The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations, a Nigerian Christian ministry with a growing fanatical following by white Christians and the likes of Julius Malema, who reportedly visited him recently, has in the last year made some of the most fascinating pronunciations regarding the fate of African politicians and, it is believed, his "prophesy" on some leaders does influence the way people vote. The late Ghanaian President Atta Mills publicly thanked TB Joshua for "helping" him secure his election victory. But TB Joshua's popularity has not been received well by diehard Christian faith leaders who denounce his power of prophesy - a feat that has made him a household name.
Reverend Ellinah Wamukoya, Bishop - Swaziland
Influential women are not only found in business and politics. Reverend Ellinah Ntombi Wamukoya has made inroads in influential leadership in one unique and still largely male-dominated area - the priesthood. She is calling the shots as the first-ever female Anglican bishop to be consecrated on African soil. Wamukoya's appointment in 2012 heralded a significant turning point not only for the Anglican Church, but more so in the largely conservative Kingdom of Swaziland, from where she hails, and she is now considered an unlikely feminist hero.
Bishop Desmond Tutu, Archbishop (RT) - South Africa
The retired, Anglican Bishop, Desmond Tutu, continues to influence global discourse on various matters pertaining to political and social injustices in Africa. He remains the must-go-to revered figure for advice from even the world's most powerful politicians. We hear Barack Obama has him on speed dial, and so does Charlize Theron. The anti-apartheid hero will always be proof that religious leaders can use their influence to make a real difference in the world. Today though, the Bishop has other ideas on his mind as he enjoys his retirement:
TB Joshua, Prophet - Nigeria
He is the marmite of the religious world, more so in Africa. Love him or hate him, TB Joshua is a religious enigma, that can't be wished away or ignored, given the way he influences his followers. And, may we add, even those who are not, or are die-hard atheists. The controversial founder of The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations, a Nigerian Christian ministry with a growing fanatical following by white Christians and the likes of Julius Malema, who reportedly visited him recently, has in the last year made some of the most fascinating pronunciations regarding the fate of African politicians and, it is believed, his "prophesy" on some leaders does influence the way people vote. The late Ghanaian President Atta Mills publicly thanked TB Joshua for "helping" him secure his election victory. But TB Joshua's popularity has not been received well by diehard Christian faith leaders who denounce his power of prophesy - a feat that has made him a household name.
Reverend Ellinah Wamukoya, Bishop - Swaziland
Influential women are not only found in business and politics. Reverend Ellinah Ntombi Wamukoya has made inroads in influential leadership in one unique and still largely male-dominated area - the priesthood. She is calling the shots as the first-ever female Anglican bishop to be consecrated on African soil. Wamukoya's appointment in 2012 heralded a significant turning point not only for the Anglican Church, but more so in the largely conservative Kingdom of Swaziland, from where she hails, and she is now considered an unlikely feminist hero.
Bishop Desmond Tutu, Archbishop (RT) - South Africa
The retired, Anglican Bishop, Desmond Tutu, continues to influence global discourse on various matters pertaining to political and social injustices in Africa. He remains the must-go-to revered figure for advice from even the world's most powerful politicians. We hear Barack Obama has him on speed dial, and so does Charlize Theron. The anti-apartheid hero will always be proof that religious leaders can use their influence to make a real difference in the world. Today though, the Bishop has other ideas on his mind as he enjoys his retirement:
Source - New African
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