People group profile · PG050454
The Cape Malays of South Africa
The Cape Malays of South Africa, numbering about 249,000 people, are Unengaged and Unreached. They are an indigenous Muslim community of mixed Asian and South African heritage in South Africa.
They are an indigenous people in the Other Sub-Saharan African people cluster of the Sub-Saharan African Peoples. Their primary religion is Sunni Islam, and they primarily speak Afrikaans.
Fast facts
- Country
- South Africa
- Population
- 249,000
- Affinity group
- Sub-Saharan African Peoples
- People cluster
- Other Sub-Saharan African
- Primary language
- Afrikaans (afr)
- Primary religion
- Sunni Islam
- Strategic Progress Index
- Unengaged and Unreached
- Evangelical
- Less than 2%
- GSEC
- Less than 2% Evangelical, No Recent CP Activity
- Lostness priority
- Pioneer Unreached People Group
- Also known as
- Cape Muslim, Kaapse Maleiers
- Region
- Southern Africa, Africa
- Location
- Western Cape: concentrated in the Bo-Kaap or Malay quarter of Cape Town
Where they live
Gospel status
The Cape Malays are Unengaged and Unreached, which means fewer than 2% are evangelical Christians, and there has been no reported church planting activity in the past two years. In GSEC terms, this people group is less than 2% evangelical, some evangelical resources are available, but there has been no active church planting among them within the past two years.
- Congregations exist No
- Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted
Next steps for the Cape Malays
- Pray that God would send workers to this people group
- Begin sowing the gospel and seek out people of peace
- Plant the first churches consistent with evangelical faith and practice
Primary religion
Sunni Islam · Islam
99% adherents
Primary language
Afrikaans · Indo-European family
100% speak Afrikaans
Gospel resources in Afrikaans
- Bible available, published 2023
- JESUS Film available
- Radio programs available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources available
- Bible stories not available
Films
Bibles
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Cape Malays
- 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.
- Matthew 9:37–38. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest field.
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