People group profile · PG015532
The Shona of South Africa
The Shona of South Africa, numbering about 436,000 people, are No Longer Unreached. They are a Bantu ethnic group native to Southern Africa, primarily living in Zimbabwe where they form the majority of the population.
They are a diaspora people in the Bantu, Shona people cluster of the Sub-Saharan African Peoples. Their primary religion is Protestantism, and they primarily speak Shona.
Fast facts
- Country
- South Africa
- Population
- 436,000
- Affinity group
- Sub-Saharan African Peoples
- People cluster
- Bantu, Shona
- Primary language
- Shona (sna)
- Primary religion
- Protestantism
- Strategic Progress Index
- No Longer Unreached
- Evangelical
- 2% or Greater but Less than 5%
- GSEC
- 2% or Greater but Less than 5% Evangelical
- Lostness priority
- Marginally Reached People Group
- Region
- Southern Africa, Africa
Where they live
Gospel status
The Shona are No Longer Unreached, which means 2% or more are evangelical Christians. In GSEC terms, this people group is greater than or equal to 2% evangelical.
- Congregations exist Yes
- Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted
Next steps for the Shona
- Pray for the churches among this group to grow in faithfulness and maturity
- Equip believers to reach the unreached peoples around them
- Send out laborers from this people to the nations
Primary religion
Protestantism · Christianity
65% adherents
Primary language
Shona · Atlantic-Congo family
100% speak Shona
Gospel resources in Shona
- Bible available
- JESUS Film available
- Radio programs available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources available
- Bible stories not available
Films
Bibles
- Union Shona · video, audio
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Shona
- Matthew 9:37–38. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest field.
- 2 Timothy 2:2. Pray for faithful local leaders who will teach others, so that the church multiplies.
- Ephesians 5:8. Pray that those walking in darkness will turn to the light and live as children of light.
- Romans 10:14–15. Ask God to send messengers, so that people can hear, believe and call on the name of the Lord.
Shona in other countries
The same people (ROP3 108959) is reported in 4 other countries.
Know something we don't? Submit updates to IMB Global Research.