Protestantism in South Africa

Archbishop Desmond Tutu (pictured) is an influential Protestant (Anglican) South African

Protestantism in South Africa date back to the initial European settlement on the Cape of Good Hope in 1652. Since then, Protestantism has been the preponderant religion of the European settlers and today, of all South Africans, regardless of ancestry.

Composition of Protestants in South Africa

According to the CIA Factbook, while the majority of South Africans are Protestant, no sect dominates in terms of Protestants. The largest Protestant sect in the country is Pentecostalism, followed by Methodism, Dutch Reformed and Anglicans.

Protestant denominations in South Africa include:

• Afrikaanse Protestantse Kerk (Reformed/Calvinist)
• Anglican Church of Southern Africa
• Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa (Pentacostalist)
• Baptist Union of Southern Africa
• Church of England in South Africa (outside the Anglican Communion)
• Die heilsleer (Salvation Army)
• Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa
• Methodist Church of Southern Africa
• Nazareth Baptist Church
• Nederduits Gereformeerde Kerk (Reformed/Calvinist)
• United Congregational Church of Southern Africa
• Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa
• Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa
• Zionist Churches (Pentacostalist)

See also

• Afrikaner Calvinism
• Apostolic Church of South Africa - Apostle Unity
• Huguenots in South Africa
• Roman Catholicism in South Africa
• Islam in South Africa

Sources

• CIA Factbook on South Africa