Easter is the most important day in the Christian calendar, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ after His crucifixion around 30 AD. This year, Easter Sunday was celebrated on April 20, a date that last occurred in 2014 and won’t happen again until 2087. The holiday follows a 40-day period of fasting and prayer known as Lent and culminates in Holy Week. As the late South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu once shared on Facebook, “Easter says to us that despite everything to the contrary, his will for us will prevail, love will prevail over hate, justice over injustice and oppression, peace over exploitation and bitterness.” Ulrich Lehner, a theology professor at the University of Notre Dame, emphasizes the significance of this day, stating, “It’s the church’s highest feast, because, without it, there will be no church.”
The date of Easter changes each year, falling on the first Sunday after the full moon that follows the spring equinox (March 21). This variability in date adds to the intrigue surrounding the holiday. While Easter is rooted in Christian faith, it also incorporates elements from pre-Christian pagan traditions. Pastor Simon Lerefole of Every Nation Rosebank Church explains that Easter was once a pagan celebration honoring the goddess of fertility, Ēostre. He notes, “It was only later that Christians repurposed it to celebrate the Passover, which is the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
As part of the Easter celebration, various traditions have emerged, including the well-known Easter Bunny and egg-decorating. These customs symbolize new life, a theme that resonates deeply within the Easter narrative. Lerefole further elaborates on the symbolism of hot cross buns, which date back to the 12th century when an Anglican monk introduced them as a way to celebrate Easter. He believed that marking the buns with a cross would serve as a reminder of Christ’s sacrifice: “There’s nothing wrong with that—it’s just a way of celebration. But things like that can take us away from the real meaning of the Passover.”
This year, Easter in South Africa was marked by significant gatherings and celebrations, particularly among the Zion Christian Church (ZCC). Thousands of ZCC members made their annual pilgrimage to Moria, the largest Easter gathering of its kind in South Africa. The Putco bus company operated 500 buses to ferry pilgrims nationwide for the occasion. According to the Limpopo Tourism Agency (LTA), over 2 million visitors came to Limpopo for Easter this year, including attendees of the St Engenas Zion Christian Church’s pilgrimage.
Easter celebrations in South Africa also reflect the country's rich cultural diversity. Xhosa and Zulu communities observe the holiday with intense spiritual practices, including hymns, communal prayers, and storytelling with elders. Family reunions are common during this time, as many travel long distances to gather in their hometowns or rural villages, making Easter one of the biggest homecoming events in the country.
Traditional foods play a significant role in these celebrations. In Xhosa homes, for example, the iconic 7-colour plate is a staple, featuring a vibrant array of dishes like ice, beetroot, pumpkin, and creamed spinach, symbolizing joy and unity. Other popular dishes include umphokoqo, a traditional Xhosa maize meal, and amasi, a sour milk combo that is particularly refreshing in warmer areas. In many Coloured households, Good Friday is marked by the preparation of pickled fish, served cold, often accompanied by hot cross buns.
As Easter Monday arrives, many South Africans take to the outdoors for picnics and braais, enjoying the public holiday with family and friends. Afrikaans families often use the long weekend for reflection and peaceful escapes into nature, pairing traditional meals with moments of tranquility. Local Easter markets and events, including Easter egg hunts and church gatherings, fill townships and cities with energy and celebration. One of the most iconic events is Johannesburg’s Rand Show, the largest consumer exhibition in Southern Africa, which draws hundreds of thousands annually, blending tradition with entertainment, shopping, and food.
This year, Easter Sunday also featured a unique event as the International Pentecost Holiness Church held mass wedding ceremonies for around 3,000 people. Many of the weddings were polygamous, with some men marrying their sixth or seventh wives. Church spokesman Vusi Ndala stated, “Polygamy is not only embraced but held in high regard” within the church, which was founded in South Africa in the early 1960s. The church has previously held mass weddings, including one in 2023 for around 400 couples, but this year’s event marked the largest gathering to date.
The blend of faith, tradition, and community during Easter in South Africa is a powerful reminder of the holiday's significance. It is a time of forgiveness, hope, and spiritual renewal that echoes across generations and communities. As people come together to celebrate, reflect, and renew their faith, the essence of Easter resonates deeply in the hearts of many.
