Background
He was born Muchabaya Momberume (also spelled Ngomberume) near Bondwe Mountain in the Marange Tribal Trustland of Southern Rhodesia and took the name Johane from John the Baptist and Marange from the tribal name, of the Marange Reserve.
He was born Muchabaya Momberume (also spelled Ngomberume) near Bondwe Mountain in the Marange Tribal Trustland of Southern Rhodesia and took the name Johane from John the Baptist and Marange from the tribal name, of the Marange Reserve.
He was educated as a Methodist. In 1932, when Maranke was 20, he returned from journeys in the bush announcing a series of visions and encounters with Jesus Christ, calling him to be a Holy Spirit guided itinerant preacher and establish a new African church. In his visions he was also admonished that he should baptize people and observe the Sabbath (Sabata In Shona).
He founded the largest independent church in Central Africa.
The main gathering of the church occurred at Pentecost, at Maranke"s village, lasting for seventeen days, and ending with communion.
