Masowe, Johane

Shoniwa Masedza Tandi Moyo (born 1914 or 1915 – 13 September 1973), known by his prophetic name Johane Masowe ("John of the Wilderness"), was a Zimbabwean prophet, saviour figure, and founder of the Gospel of God Church (also known as Izwi raMwari or "Voice of God") in 1932,according to Dillon Malone. The Dictionary of African Christian Biography identifies him as the "Founder of the Gospel of God Church in Zimbabwe." Dillon-Malone documents that Masowe taught his followers that he is Izwi raMwari (the Word or Voice of God) and Mudzimu waMwari (the Spirit of God), and they continue to regard him as such—the unique divine messenger and saviour for African peoples. Mukonyora describes this movement as the "Masowe Apostles" and notes that its sacred texts are collected in a volume called the Gospel of God. Masowe is widely regarded as one of the most significant African religious figures of the 20th century, having built a continent-wide movement without foreign financial support while enduring persistent colonial persecution. His prophetic name later gave rise to a separate religious movement, the Johane Masowe weChishanu Church, though Masowe himself never named a church after his own person. His name alludes to John the Baptist and his practice of worshipping in the wilderness.