The National Day of Prayer is currently in full swing at Johannesburg’s iconic FNB Stadium, drawing a large and enthusiastic crowd. This year marks the 5th edition of the nationwide mass prayer gathering, an event that first began in 2017 and has continued to grow in popularity and scale with each passing year.
Hosted by the Motsepe Foundation, the gathering has once again attracted hundreds of South Africans from various provinces, faith traditions, and community groups. As attendees continue to pour into the stadium, the atmosphere remains charged with excitement, unity, and spiritual anticipation. Music, worship, and collective prayer have filled the venue since the early hours of the morning.
According to Motsepe Foundation spokesperson Benny Boshielo, the National Day of Prayer has expanded far beyond its initial expectations. He explained that when the event began, it included 37 religious and faith-based organisations, but interest has since multiplied dramatically.
“We now have more than 20 additional organisations that want to participate formally,” Boshielo said, noting that many of them are attending even if they are not yet officially part of the programme. He emphasized that the scale of the event has compelled the foundation to adapt to the growing demand.
“When we launched this initiative, attendance was around 70,000 to 80,000 people,” he recalled. “Today, we have over 100,000 individuals who want to take part. Because of space limitations, we have had to ask some churches to scale down their numbers. We can only accommodate as many people as the FNB Stadium safely allows.”
Despite these logistical constraints, the spirit of the gathering remains strong. The event continues to bring together South Africans from all walks of life, united in a collective call for spiritual renewal, national healing, and hope for the future.
