Mlungisi Vusumuzi Hlabisa

PhD project (2022–2024): A Black Messiah: demystifying Isaiah Shembe’s identity, His corpus and Sacred Dance (Research Area National Identity)

  • B.Ed (2014–2017), B.Ed hons (2018) and M.Ed (2019–2020)
  • Umlazi High school (August–December 2018) and Bizimali High school (August 2020–December 2021)
  • UKZN marker (Professional studies 210, 220, 230; English modules: EDEN 111, 113, 114 and English communication studies).
  • UKZN mentor (2016–2020)

A Black Messiah: demystifying Isaiah Shembe’s identity, His corpus and Sacred dance. This study seeks to shed clarity on Isaiah Shembe’s identity from a perspective of the Nazareth Baptist Church members. Using the postcolonial theory, this study looks to decolonise Isaiah Shembe’s identity by positioning Him as a Black Messiah, an image greatly contested by those who disagree with Him and His teachings, yet an idea held firmly by members of the Nazareth Baptist Church. This idea is appropriated from Shembe’s corpus and his sacred dance.