A study of the life,work and contribution of Alfred Kapele Nkonde to the development of the Lumpa church 1953-1994

Abstract

Sufficient work has been produced by scholars on the Lumpa Church. However, very little is known about important church leaders who were instrumental in the development of the church.Most of the studies have focused on the founder of the church, "Prophetess" Alice Lenshina, at the expense of subordinate leaders in the church. There is no doubt that some of the leaders who worked under the prophetess played a significant role in the development of the breakaway church. In view of this fact, this study is intended to examine the life history and role of one of the leaders, Alfred kapele Nkonde. Through this study, which is the first of its kind in the church, scholars would be afforded an opportunity to learn about some of the most important events in the church before and after the ban of the church in Northern Rhodesia (Zambia) on the eve of the country's independence in 1964. This study demonstrates Nkonde's contribution to the development of the church. It is argued that he was both a key figure in the church and very influential person.