International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC) leader Michael Sandlana is building a multimillion-rand precinct for his break-away branch in Heidelberg, Gauteng.
The gigantic precinct, called Kanana City, is situated on a 67-hectare piece of land that Sandlana purchased in June 2019.
Adjacent to the precinct Sandlana also bought another estate measuring 30 hectares, where he is developing commercial properties.
News of the church’s growing empire is contained in its magazine, The Hamalian, which was distributed to church members recently.
According to the magazine, there were other buyers looking to purchase the massive properties at the higher price than Sandlana’s, but the clergyman beat them to the punch.
“[A] month later, and in keeping with IPHC tradition, children of our father came in droves to congregate on the property on a very cold and dusty winter Sabbath of June 22 2019, spending all day through to Sunday,” said Sandlana.
In August 2019, Sandlana built 13 male bathrooms, 17 female bathrooms and a four-room house with precast walls. This because the church had not yet received a title deed for the massive properties.
After obtaining the title deeds, the congregants built a house on the property after which Sandlana built a church building with the capacity to accommodate 1 100 congregants.
He also constructed factories including those that produce toilet paper, men’s jackets, cutlery, and ladies’ uniforms. He also built four dormitories for men and women.
The magazine further states that Sandlana is developing a state-of-the-art arena or dome, which is set to be the biggest asset of all the IPHC churches.
“This is going to be the largest congregational arena/dome in the southern hemisphere measuring 15 300m2 to be built in a single phase at once,” reads the magazine, adding that Sandlana, fondly known as “The Lion of Judah”, has also built a game park and named it after his moniker, Tau.
“We thank our father, the “Lion of Judah” for everything he has done for us,” reads an excerpt from the magazine.
The church is also considering building a train station next to Kanana.
“There is a railway line that crosses in the middle of the Kanana property, prompting the church to consider the possibility of a train station. [The] Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa has been engaged in the regard.”
Kanana will also be the first IPHC premises to have a multi-purpose commercial centre that includes a filling station, vehicles and truck service offerings.
“There is a possibility of some business franchise being included in the commercial centre. Another admirable development is a theme park with an entertainment area that include two large swimming pools.
“The facility will be used for wedding functions and as a recreation centre.”
Sandlana also wants to construct a clinic and a dining hall. “Should doctors require patients to spend some time at the health centre while being treated, there will be beds to sleep on,” states the magazine.
The popular man of the cloth , who is the first born of the late church leader Glayton Modise, started his branch after his siblings blocked him from ascending the throne several years ago.
Follow @SundayWorldZA on Twitter and @sundayworldza on Instagram, or like our Facebook Page, Sunday World, by clicking here for the latest breaking news in South Africa.
