By Gloria Nosa
A South African man has apologised to the public after promoting Pastor Joshua Mhlakela’s failed prophecy that the rapture would take place on September 23 and 24, 2025.
The man admitted that he was misled by the pastor’s claim that Jesus had revealed the exact date of the end of days. “I only repeated what I heard and believed, but I realise now how wrong I was to share it without questioning,” he said in a statement.
Pastor Mhlakela’s prophecy had drawn hundreds of worshippers who gathered in remote locations, particularly in wooded areas, praying and gazing at the skies in expectation of being taken up. Some even abandoned work and family responsibilities, convinced that the world as they knew it was coming to an end.
However, when September 23 passed without incident, confusion and disappointment quickly spread among the faithful. In response, Pastor Mhlakela told his congregation that the prophecy had not failed but had been “misunderstood,” claiming that the rapture could instead occur on September 24 due to global time differences. That day also ended uneventfully, leaving followers disillusioned and heartbroken.
Videos circulating on social media captured the moment worshippers, dressed in white garments, dispersed quietly after nothing happened. Many of them appeared visibly distressed, some weeping, others shaking their heads in disbelief.
The failed prophecy has ignited sharp criticism online, with many South Africans condemning what they described as religious manipulation. Commentators warn that such predictions not only damage the credibility of church leaders but also put ordinary people at risk of financial and emotional harm when they sacrifice their livelihoods in anticipation of false promises.
Despite the backlash, Pastor Mhlakela has continued to insist that the rapture is “still on its way,” though he has stopped short of giving a new date. Meanwhile, the man who helped promote the prophecy has urged South Africans to exercise caution and not place blind trust in such claims.
