BY LAVENDER CHABATA
Prophet Shepherd Bushiri, Founder of Enlightened Christian Gathering based in Malawi, took to social media this week to voice his displeasure with the South African media’s coverage of Chris Brown’s recent concert at FNB Stadium, which attracted a crowd of 94,000.
In a passionate Facebook post, Bushiri highlighted the disparity in media attention between the popular R&B star and his own gatherings, which have reportedly drawn even larger crowds.
Bushiri pointed out that his Crossover Night prayers have consistently filled the FNB Stadium, with attendance figures soaring to 110,000 for four consecutive events.
Despite these impressive numbers, he lamented that South African media outlets have largely overlooked his achievements while celebrating those of Chris Brown.
“The South African weirdo Media is going crazy crowning him ‘the biggest crowd puller’. What a shame,” Bushiri wrote. He expressed frustration over the media’s portrayal of his followers, contrasting it with the positive reviews of Brown’s fans. He stated, “They gladly wrote about Chris Brown fans; ‘they were entertained’ and my followers who attended prayers; ‘they were brainwashed.’”
In his post, Bushiri accused the media of fostering a narrative that undermines the influence of religious figures in South Africa, suggesting an underlying agenda to discredit men of God while elevating secular entertainment. “Soon South Africans will wake up to the real agenda happening in their land — hating men of God and celebrating evil. Diabolical!” he declared.
Bushiri’s comments have sparked a mix of reactions from the public, with some supporting his views while others criticize his approach.
As the debate continues, the question remains: how will the media balance its coverage of entertainment and religious events in a country known for its rich cultural diversity?
