Who is Shepherd Bushiri?
Shepherd Bushiri, a name that resonates with fervent devotion among millions and sparks intense controversy across continents, stands as a polarizing figure whose meteoric rise from a modest Malawian upbringing to the helm of a global megachurch and business empire encapsulates the complexities of modern African spirituality and entrepreneurship.
Born Shepherd Huxley Bushiri on February 20, 1983, in Lilongwe, Malawi, this charismatic prophet, known as “Major 1,” founded the Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG), drawing millions with claims of miracles, healing, and prosperity, while amassing a reported $150 million fortune through ventures like Shepherd Bushiri Investments (SBI).
At 42, his journey, marred by fraud allegations, r@pe charges, and a dramatic 2020 flight from South Africa to Malawi, reflects a potent blend of divine calling, business acumen, and legal turmoil, positioning him as a transformative yet contentious icon in global religious discourse as of June 2, 2025.
This Shepherd Bushiri’s biography delves into the enigmatic ascent of a man whose life bridges the spiritual fervor of African Pentecostalism with the scrutiny of international legal battles, offering a lens into the interplay of faith, wealth, and controversy that defines his influence.
From his childhood spiritual visions in Mzuzu to filling South Africa’s FNB Stadium with ECG followers and facing extradition demands over R102 million in alleged fraud, Shepherd Bushiri’s career is a saga of staggering growth and polarizing scandals.
His personal life, marked by a devoted marriage, the tragic loss of a daughter, and a resilient public persona, adds depth to a figure whose legacy divides believers and skeptics.
What follows is an in-depth exploration of his early years, pre-prominence ministry, global expansion, major achievements, personal life, and the evolving legacy of a prophet whose flamboyant ministry, from Malawi’s townships to the world stage, continues to captivate and challenge perceptions of faith and power, one miracle claim at a time.
Shepherd Bushiri’s Wikidata
| Name | Shepherd Huxley Bushiri |
| Date of Birth | February 20, 1983 |
| Age | 42 years old |
| Place of Birth | Lilongwe, Malawi |
| Occupation | Prophet, Preacher, Founder of Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG), Businessman (Shepherd Bushiri Investments), Author |
| Source | Bsgistnews.com |
Shepherd Huxley Bushiri’s Early Life and Education
Shepherd Huxley Bushiri, born on February 20, 1983, in Lilongwe, Malawi, grew up in Mzuzu, a northern city, in a devout Christian family of the Tumbuka tribe.
Some sources, such as The Citizen (2019), claim his birth name was Chipiliro Gama, but his spokesperson, Ephraim Nyondo, denied this, affirming Shepherd Bushiri as his authentic name.
His parents, Huxley and Christina Bushiri, raised him as the fourth of six children, with his brother Otis also a prophet.
His mother, Christina, a Zambian from Ndeke, Kitwe, named him Shepherd due to complications during his birth, viewing God as her shepherd.
Huxley, a former member of the Malawi Congress Party’s paramilitary unit, led a modest life, providing basic education despite financial struggles.
Shepherd Bushiri claims a spiritual encounter at age 10, where a supernatural being, identified as God, urged him to preach repentance, shaping his prophetic calling.
He attended primary school in Hewe village, Rumphi, and secondary school at Moyale Barracks Community Secondary in Mzuzu.
Reports suggest he failed his final secondary exams, limiting formal education.
He later pursued higher education at Therapon University, though its accreditation is questionable.
Additionally, he holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Lilongwe, diplomas in Business Administration and Communication from Alison University, and has completed a leadership program at Harvard Business School.
He is currently pursuing a master’s in Business Administration at East London University.
Bushiri’s Career Before Prominence
Shepherd Bushiri began his ministry in 2002 in Mzuzu, founding the Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG), a non-denominational charismatic evangelical church emphasizing prophecy, healing, and prosperity.
Initially based in Chibanja, Mzuzu, the church relocated its headquarters to Lilongwe, Malawi, and later established a significant presence in Pretoria, South Africa.
His dynamic preaching and claims of miracles, such as curing HIV/AIDS, raising the dead, and walking on air in a widely shared video, drew thousands, though skeptics, including Leo Igwe, criticized these as staged.
By 2010, ECG had grown into a megachurch, attracting tens of thousands daily and expanding to countries like Botswana, Zambia, Tanzania, Namibia, Ethiopia, and beyond.
Parallel to his ministry, Shepherd Bushiri ventured into business to support his family, rejecting reliance on church funds.
In 2010, he founded Shepherd Bushiri Investments (SBI), a Sandton-based conglomerate near Johannesburg, with interests in mining, real estate, hospitality, transportation, and aviation.
He also established a television channel, a telecommunications company, farms, sports academies, and the Bushiri University of Agriculture in South Sudan, though its legal status was questioned in 2017.
His business acumen earned him a 2018 CEO Hall of Fame induction by African Leadership Magazine and a six-page feature in its February 2018 issue.
Prominent Career and Controversies
Shepherd Bushiri’s prominence peaked in South Africa, where ECG’s Pretoria headquarters filled stadiums, notably FNB Stadium (2015–2019), hosting nearly 10 million followers across 72 countries.
Known as “Major 1” or “Papa,” his prosperity gospel, energetic worship, and miracle sessions, claiming to heal the sick and prophesy, captivated followers.
However, his lavish lifestyle, including a $150 million estimated net worth, four private jets (one seized in 2019 for forged documents), luxury cars (Rolls Royce Black Badge, Bentley Bentayga), and a Centurion mansion, sparked scrutiny.
Critics, including BBC (2018), questioned how he amassed wealth, alleging exploitation of impoverished followers through “miracle oil” sales and donations.
Legal troubles escalated in 2019 when Shepherd Bushiri and his wife, Mary, were arrested by South Africa’s Hawks on February 1 for fraud, money laundering, and violating the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, involving R15 million.
A second arrest on October 20, 2020, involved R102 million tied to SBI’s Rising Estate scheme, accused of defrauding pensioners of $6 million in a Ponzi-like operation.
Granted bail of R100,000 each, the couple fled to Malawi on November 14, 2020, breaching conditions, prompting an extradition request from South Africa.
Bushiri surrendered to Malawian police, claiming safety concerns, but a Lilongwe court deemed their arrest unlawful, complicating extradition.
As of June 2, 2025, he faces ongoing court proceedings in Malawi for these charges, with supporters like @TlotlisoPraise arguing he is not a fugitive.
In March 2021, South African police charged Shepherd Bushiri with 16 counts of r@pe involving eight victims, some as young as 15, alleging he targeted church members, paid them $500–$700, and intimidated them into silence.
His head of security, Clifford Resondt, was arrested for bribing a victim to recant. Additional allegations surfaced, including a 2018 paternity dispute with Rachel J, who claimed Bushiri fathered her child, though no paternity test was conducted.
His 2017 ban from Botswana for “miracle money” claims and SBI’s unregistered status in South Africa further fueled controversy.
Major Achievements
Despite controversies, Shepherd Bushiri’s achievements are notable. He founded ECG in 2002, growing it into one of Africa’s fastest-growing churches, with a global reach across six continents.
His Shepherd Bushiri Foundation has supported humanitarian efforts, including donating K85 million in maize to Malawians in 2017 and aiding Cyclone Freddy victims in 2023 by adopting 15 villages, rebuilding infrastructure, and airlifting supplies.
He authored over 15 books, including The Jesus Nation, reaching 5 million readers. His business ventures, despite legal issues, earned him the 2018 CEO Hall of Fame award and a Great Samaritan Award from Exploits University.
In 2018, he was a guest of honor at South Africa’s National Day of Inter-faith Prayer, attended by Vice President David Mabuza.
Personal Life
Shepherd Bushiri married Mary Zgambo, a former accountant, on July 30, 2011, at Mzuzu Stadium in a widely attended ceremony.
Known as Prophetess Mary, she co-ministers at ECG, having left her career to support his mission.
The couple has two daughters: Israella, who died in March 2021 at age eight from lung disease, and Raphaella. Israella’s death, mourned at a funeral in Lilongwe, deeply affected the family.
Shepherd Bushiri’s mentor, Prophet Uebert Angel of Good News Church, UK, has influenced his ministry style.
He resides in Lilongwe, Malawi, following his 2020 return, maintaining a lower profile amid legal battles.
His social media, including Instagram (@shepherdbushiriministries), remains active, promoting crusades and philanthropy.
Legacy and Impact
At 42, as of June 2, 2025, Shepherd Bushiri’s net worth is estimated at $150 million, though unverified, stemming from SBI, book sales, and ministry activities.
His legacy is a paradox of faith and controversy. Supporters view him as a divinely anointed prophet whose miracles and philanthropy, evident in his Cyclone Freddy response, uplift millions, as reflected in ECG’s global reach and X posts like @TlotlisoPraise defending his integrity.
Critics, including Al Jazeera and BBC, decry his wealth as exploitative, citing fraud, r@pe allegations, and staged miracles, with Mail & Guardian (2018) questioning his claims of curing HIV.
Shepherd Bushiri’s impact on African Christianity blends spirituality with entrepreneurship, resonating with followers who see his rise from poverty as divine favor.
His ECG filled a spiritual void for millions, but his legal woes, r@pe charges, fraud, and extradition battles, cast a shadow, testing Malawi-South Africa relations.
As he navigates court cases in Malawi, his flamboyant persona, once filling stadiums, now faces scrutiny, yet his influence endures through loyal followers and humanitarian work.
Whether remembered as a visionary prophet or a controversial magnate, Shepherd Bushiri’s journey, from Mzuzu’s modest roots to global stages, remains a polarizing saga of faith, ambition, and unresolved reckoning, shaping African religious discourse one crusade at a time.
Conclusion
Shepherd Bushiri’s extraordinary and polarizing journey through the realms of African Pentecostalism and global entrepreneurship stands as a vivid testament to the power of spiritual charisma, the allure of prosperity theology, and the complexities of navigating faith under intense scrutiny, a narrative that arcs from the humble streets of Mzuzu, Malawi, to the commanding heights of a megachurch empire and a contentious legal battlefield.
Born on February 20, 1983, this self-styled prophet, known as “Major 1,” transformed a childhood spiritual vision into the Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG), a global ministry that filled stadiums with millions of followers, while his Shepherd Bushiri Investments (SBI) amassed a reported $150 million fortune.
At 42, as of June 2, 2025, his legacy, woven with humanitarian feats, like aiding Cyclone Freddy victims, and marred by fraud, money laundering, and rape allegations, embodies the paradox of a figure who inspires fervent devotion yet faces unrelenting criticism, shaping the contours of modern African Christianity.
His legacy is a multifaceted tapestry of transformative impact and divisive controversies.
Founding ECG in 2002 and expanding it across six continents, Shepherd Bushiri redefined charismatic worship, drawing millions with claims of miracles and prosperity, as celebrated by supporters on X like @TlotlisoPraise, who view him as a divine vessel.
His humanitarian efforts, including K85 million in maize donations and rebuilding 15 Malawian villages post-Cyclone Freddy, underscore a commitment to upliftment, while his 15 books, including The Jesus Nation, reached 5 million readers.
Yet, his lavish lifestyle, private jets, a Centurion mansion, and luxury cars, coupled with legal battles over R102 million in alleged fraud and 16 rape charges, has fueled accusations of exploitation, with BBC and Al Jazeera questioning his miracle claims and financial transparency.
His 2020 flight to Malawi, evading South African bail conditions, intensified extradition tensions, casting him as both a persecuted prophet and a fugitive.
On a personal level, Shepherd Bushiri remains a devoted family man, married to Prophetess Mary, father to Raphaella, and grieving the loss of daughter Israella in 2021, whose Tumbuka roots and mentorship under Uebert Angel ground his ministry in cultural and spiritual authenticity.
Residing in Lilongwe amid ongoing court cases, his Instagram presence (@shepherdbushiriministries) continues to inspire followers with crusades and philanthropy, though rape allegations and a 2018 paternity dispute challenge his moral standing.
As of June 2, 2025, Shepherd Bushiri stands at a critical juncture, his ECG’s enduring global influence and humanitarian work sustain his spiritual empire, while legal proceedings in Malawi threaten to redefine his future, with extradition looming.
Whether history will remember him as a visionary prophet who empowered millions or a controversial magnate exploiting faith for gain, his impact, from Mzuzu’s modest beginnings to Pretoria’s packed stadiums, is indelible, a legacy of miracles, wealth, and unresolved reckoning that continues to shape African religious and social discourse, one prophetic sermon at a time.
FAQs
Q. Who is Shepherd Bushiri?
Shepherd Bushiri, born Shepherd Huxley Bushiri on February 20, 1983, in Lilongwe, Malawi, is a charismatic prophet, businessman, and founder of the Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG), a global megachurch. Known as “Major 1,” he leads Shepherd Bushiri Investments (SBI) and is recognized for his prosperity gospel and claimed miracles, though he faces legal issues for fraud and rape allegations.
Q. What is Shepherd Bushiri’s net worth?
As of June 2, 2025, his net worth is estimated at $150 million USD (approximately R2.25 billion), derived from his business ventures under SBI (mining, real estate, aviation), book sales, and ECG ministry activities, though exact figures are unverified and controversial due to allegations of financial impropriety.
Q. Why did Shepherd Bushiri flee to Malawi?
In November 2020, Bushiri and his wife, Mary, fled South Africa to Malawi, breaching bail conditions after their October 2020 arrest for fraud and money laundering involving R102 million tied to SBI’s Rising Estate scheme. They cited safety concerns, surrendering to Malawian police, but face ongoing extradition proceedings from South Africa as of June 2025.
Q. What are the r@pe allegations against Shepherd Bushiri?
In March 2021, South African police charged Bushiri with 16 counts of r@pe involving eight victims, some as young as 15, alleging he targeted ECG members, paid them $500–$700, and intimidated them into silence. His head of security was arrested for bribing a victim, and the case remains unresolved, contributing to his controversial image.
Q. What humanitarian work has Shepherd Bushiri done?
Through the Shepherd Bushiri Foundation, he has supported disaster relief, notably donating K85 million in maize to Malawians in 2017 and aiding Cyclone Freddy victims in 2023 by adopting 15 villages, rebuilding infrastructure, and airlifting supplies, earning praise from supporters despite his legal troubles.
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