Originally published in 1948 and then updated in 1961 outlines the religious and social background of the Zulus and discusses the rise of the Independent Church Movement. It examines the organization and inner workings of the different Churches, their forms of worship, and the personalities of their leaders. It also analyses the blend of old and new which appears in Zulu interpretations of some aspects of Christian doctrine.

Originally published in 1948 and then updated in 1961 outlines the religious and social background of the Zulus and discusses the rise of the Independent Church Movement. It examines the organization and inner workings of the different Churches, their forms of worship, and the personalities of their leaders. It also analyses the blend of old and new which appears in Zulu interpretations of some aspects of Christian doctrine.

In this impressive study Dr. Sundkler traces the development of the Bantu Churches in South Africa which seceded from the Missions or split amongst themselves. The author gives a fascinating account of the life and aspirations of these purely Bantu churches and of their leaders. Dr. Sundkler's study is concentrated on the contact which took place in these churches between the old heritage of the people and the new message of the Christian Gospel. In the foreword Dr. E.H. Brookes pays tribute to the spirit in which the author has written, "not merely an unbiased scientific spirit, but a spirit which shows true kindness, a positive attitude and a sympathetic understanding of Zulu ideas and aspirations." Dr. Sundkler's Bantu Prophets in South Africa is an important and remarkable work on religion in this region.