BLOEMFONTEIN – In a dramatic display of repentance, Pastor Zenzile November of the Victorious Faith Ministries in Bloemfontein recently set ablaze a large bonfire in his backyard, consuming a collection of women's clothing he had previously worn during his gospel performances.
This public act of contrition follows a stern warning from the controversial social media personality, Brother Enigma (real name Phillip Poniponi Thosa), who claims to receive divine visions of heaven and hell.
Brother Enigma’s pronouncements, which have garnered significant online attention, directly addressed Pastor November’s cross-dressing, asserting that such practices would jeopardize his chances of entering heaven. The warning, delivered via social media, prompted a swift and decisive response from Pastor November. "Brother Enigma, thank you so much," Pastor November stated, expressing gratitude for the message.
He added, "I don't care what people think, but I am grateful to brother Enigma for the revelation. I repent without hesitation, without arguing, nothing. I don't doubt anything that he says and I will not argue."
The bonfire served as a powerful symbol of Pastor November’s commitment to abandoning his previous methods of attracting an audience. He clarified that his cross-dressing was primarily a means of generating online content, not a reflection of his sexual orientation. "There are people who think that I am gay but I am not gay. I was just being selfish and doing all of this for content, I was not making money," he emphatically stated.
Pastor November acknowledged that his "Lekker Vrydag" show, featuring his cross-dressing performances, had boosted his social media following. However, he realised that this popularity did not translate into increased church attendance or genuine spiritual growth among his viewers.
"My Lekker Vrydag show when I do the cross-dressing attracted numbers and made me famous but I didn't get the numbers at church. What is the use of attracting numbers talking about sex? My calling is to attract them to the church and to preach salvation. I will lose followers by repenting. I have decided to repent and change," he explained.
The incident has sparked considerable discussion amongst religious communities and social media users. The public nature of Pastor November’s repentance, coupled with the unconventional source of his moral guidance, highlights the evolving intersection of faith, social media, and personal expression in contemporary South Africa.
