Africa Trip Report

The meetings began on October 4th, 1951 in Johannesburg, SA. When Brother Branham and Brother Billy Paul first arrived on the evening of October 6th, the faith of the people was already soaring. There were oceans of people waiting at the Maranatha Park to see God’s mighty prophet from America. They were rushed from the airport to the large tabernacle in time for Brother Branham to conclude the service. He spoke a few words and broke almost immediately into visions. He then offered a simple prayer of faith for all those in need of healing. That was all that it took! Many testimonies were recorded that first night, one of which was posted in the Durban Sunday Tribune, and countless more were yet to come.

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After closing a week of meetings in Johannesburg, the Branham party traveled about a hundred miles southwest to Klerksdorp. God had told Brother Branham to stay in Johannesburg, but the party insisted to continue as they had planned. The Angel of the Lord told Brother Branham they would have to pay the price for not heeding to God’s instructions, but none of the ministers would listen, and a great price was paid. All meetings were canceled the first few days in Klerksdorp because of a sudden tropical storm that nearly drowned them all and a terrible cold spell that nearly froze them to death. Almost the entire crew fell terribly sick during this time. But even through all the trials and obstacles they had to face, God blessed the meetings abundantly. The small city of Klerksdorp saw the greatest crowds in its history and witnessed the glory of God through the prophet of another land.

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Their next stop was in the city of Kimberley, SA, the diamond capitol of the world. Here, there were remarkable reports of the thousands of miracles and things God had done through the ministry of Brother Branham.

News quickly spread by word of mouth, campaign advertising, and the media, about the power of God sweeping the lands of Africa like never before. The meetings pushed on into Bloemfontein, then into Cape Town, Africa’s southern most coastal city, Port Elizabeth, Grahamstown, East London, and on to the famous Durban meetings. From Durban, the Branham party traveled to Salisbury and Southern Rhodesia, and into to the capital city of Pretoria for the final destination.

The dates of the above itinerary are as follows:

From destination to destination, God moved in mighty ways as the Branham party continued their course through Africa. It was said in Bloemfontein that “No eye could see what was wrought in those holy moments. There was no time for testimonies at the services, but one simply told the other: I am healed. I can see. I can walk. I am free from pain. Hallelujah!”

The greatest meetings of them all that Brother Branham held were in Durban. It was here that God’s grace was once again amazingly manifested. There were upwards of one-hundred thousand people present at the Durban Greyville Race Course, where the service was held on Sunday 25, 1951. Of these 100,000, there were 30,000 staunch Mohammedans and raw heathens that fell at the feet of Jesus and accepted Christ as their personal Saviour. It was said by a local pastor,

“The visit of Brother William Branham and his colleagues, Brother Baxter and Brother Bosworth, proved indeed to be God’s time of visitation to our beautiful city. FIVE DAYS ONLY …but five days which will never be forgotten by thousands upon thousands of men and women. To sum it all up—this city received the greatest spiritual upheaval it has ever known.”

You'll learn by listening to this message how greatly Brother Branham sacrificed and suffered through the fulfilling of these many meetings. Even so, there was a multitude of God's predestinated children who came to the knowledge of the saving and healing power of Jesus Christ. Untold miracles that the human mind can scarcely fathom were performed during the ten weeks that Brother Branham was in South Africa. The African people were forever in Brother Branham’s heart and he in theirs. The government, the airport, churches, hospitals and medical associations, and the people of South Africa truly had a visitation from God that would last a lifetime in the heart of this desperate country. It was an epic time in African history.

Today, nearly 60 years later, the effect of Brother Branham’s love and labor for the African people is still bearing fruits. The ministry in Republic of South Africa is so large that Voice Of God Recordings placed four offices in strategic locations, just to meet the demand of needed Message material and missionary work for the people there. Not only in SA, but there are far more VGR offices, representatives, missionaries, and Message believers in the continent of Africa than any other place on earth. We thank God for the powerful ministry and gift that He performed through His humble prophet, William Marrion Branham, both in Africa, around the world, and into our hearts.

But it's something in my heart, that pulls me to Africa. There, those people, there--there is something about them, that I love, and I want to go just for the colored people only. And there is something in a lot of them, them leaders, they don't feel I should do that. I--I want to go to my colored friends. That's where the Lord called me. And now they're needy. Many of those people, those white people, can have doctors and everything. But them poor natives live out there, and half rot. I--I--I feel they're the ones that looks like they would receive It. They're the ones. There is something about it. ASHAMED OF HIM (AFRICA TRIP REPORT) 65-0711

Note:

A portion of the facts in this article were obtained from the book, “William Branham: A Prophet Visits South Africa.” A detailed account of Brother Branham’s trip to Africa can be found by reading this book. It contains numerous stories and testimonies, similar to those above, that are sure to be a blessing to you.