---
title: "Easter Friday baptisms draw congregants to Kliprivier, south of Johannesburg"
description: "On Easter Friday, churches gathered in Kliprivier, south of Johannesburg, to hold baptism ceremonies, where congregants dressed in a range of garments took part in the ritual, drawing family members and fellow worshippers to witness a powerful moment of faith, cleansing and spiritual renewal."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "PHOTO ESSAY"
author: "Felix Dlangamandla"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/felix-dlangamandla/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-04-04-easter-friday-baptisms-draw-congregants-to-kliprivier-south-of-johannesburg/"
published: "2026-04-04T07:31:08"
updated: "2026-04-06T22:23:44"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 230
---

# Easter Friday baptisms draw congregants to Kliprivier, south of Johannesburg

> On Easter Friday, churches gathered in Kliprivier, south of Johannesburg, to hold baptism ceremonies, where congregants dressed in a range of garments took part in the ritual, drawing family members and fellow worshippers to witness a powerful moment of faith, cleansing and spiritual renewal.

By Felix Dlangamandla · Published 4 April 2026, 09:31 SAST · Updated 7 April 2026, 00:23 SAST

## Content

![Felix-Photo Essay-baptisms](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/sfF-1hLxAzyU9lustw8nD-sgsNk=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/orphans/6I1A8005_748610.jpg)

*Congregants kneel and pray before entering the water on 3 April 2026. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)*

![Felix-Photo Essay-baptisms](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/cTfaHgTQhVcNyAdNIRisfYTmNHA=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/orphans/6I1A8265_799088.jpg)

*Bishop Sabbath Thwala splashes water during an Easter Friday baptism ceremony in Kliprivier on 3 April 2026. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)*

![Felix-Photo Essay-baptisms](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/bMghbggULm-bi7xCDzTwYMHrzuM=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/orphans/6I1A8259_869418.jpg)

*A congregant passes a candle to a fellow worshipper on 3 April 2026. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)*

![Felix-Photo Essay-baptisms](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/aYJTW5-kd2rKTJL3WnngWqU4sBs=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/orphans/6I1A8277_952118.jpg)

*Bishop Sabbath Thwala of Kingdom of God Church in Zion immerses a congregant in the water as fellow worshippers look on during an Easter Friday baptism in Kliprivier. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)*

![Felix-Photo Essay-baptisms](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/b5EVgjzLWIlaBb56NSmRyd2NArM=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/orphans/6I1A8102_837546.jpg)

*Teboho Qhetsi walks toward a waterfall during Easter Friday services in Kliprivier. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)*

![Felix-Photo Essay-baptisms](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/SovLLKuEDR4qwGXhcvicO3as6MA=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/orphans/6I1A8234_185739.jpg)

*A pair of congregants quietly pray on 3 April 2026. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)*

![Felix-Photo Essay-baptisms](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/6J5NtiFj-J-qRuTxEwdA3PneHik=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/orphans/6I1A8406_363014.jpg)

*Congregants take part in baptism ceremonies during Easter Friday services in Kliprivier, south of Johannesburg, marking a moment of faith, renewal and spiritual commitment. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)*

![Felix-Photo Essay-baptisms](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/PGw1POE8xzczWxhzmOjy6mLZPoI=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/orphans/6I1A8390_548715.jpg)

*A member of the church is immersed in water. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)*

![Felix-Photo Essay-baptisms](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/HuYCrqzwBeJa3z2WgfMk_WVIQV4=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/orphans/6I1A8148_340554.jpg)

*Nomthandazo Khumalo sits atop a waterfall as Ayanda Khumalo and Mzwandile Mdladla pray beneath it during Easter Friday baptisms in Kliprivier. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)*

![Felix-Photo Essay-baptisms](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/z1tVSmHtK2K-BTU4JL6Be_h1y6k=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/orphans/6I1A8377_742349.jpg)

*Congregants pray beneath flowing water. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)*

![Felix-Photo Essay-baptisms](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/AVWzWGGp3OuuXTK2a9L0-2C2YQI=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/orphans/6I1A8343_322972.jpg)

*Bishops hold hands in the water while carrying church symbols during Easter Friday services in Kliprivier. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)*

![Felix-Photo Essay-baptisms](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/3o__rWGV4z7UT5_2B2Oi0QgfZqg=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/orphans/6I1A8083_453713.jpg)

*Lerato Sekoboto emerges from the water during Good Friday ceremonies on 3 April 2026. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)*

![Felix-Photo Essay-baptisms](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/JztMiWHJ5L0qQNABVu1_n1Bwm6o=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/orphans/WFD_8632_543533.jpg)

*Reverend Simon Raboroko emerges from the water on Good Friday. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)*