Woman’s healing leads her to host Christian rave

Mary-Jane Botha (33) first had a vision of the event as a 20-year-old born-again Christian in Ireland.

She was born in Pietermaritzburg to a heroin and mandrax-addicted mother, who tried to commit suicide by drinking paraffin while pregnant with Mary-Jane. “It was a miracle I was born alive,” she said. “My first one-and-a-half years was a painful withdrawal struggle.”

Mary-Jane was adopted by her brother’s sister. She is still in contact with her mother, who resides in a Bloemfontein psychiatric hospital.

“As a teen I faced many issues of rejection and abandonment. I got into drugs and clubbing, which I hid from my adoptive mother. I grew up in the church, but hadn’t been for a few years. One day I was sitting on a mall bench, contemplating suicide when a stranger approached me and said he was sent by the Holy Spirit to help me.” Mary-Jane gave her life to God and her healing journey began.

She moved to Toti in 2009 and has written two unpublished books, one on her life story.

“When I was 20-years-old I had a vision while praying in Ireland, of a Christian rave. I believe books, coaching and helping to restore broken people is my calling. God is using me to do this.”

Plans for the Rapture rave quickly fell into place, with what Mary-Jane believes is with God’s help. At a meeting with Sapphire Coast Toti Tourism, Mary-Jane met Lords and Legends owner, Garth Lamprecht, who upon hearing of the event promptly sponsored the venue and logistics.

John Cameron of East Coast Radio agreed to come on board with a free performance from his band as well as supplying big screen visuals. Toti’s Enrico Ferreira of Storm Productions sponsored the sound and lighting equipment, while John Lewis of Volt Energy Drink, a Toti-based company, also agreed to be a sponsor and Leon Eckard of Brilliantcom printed the event posters.

Mary-Jane left her church in Toti two years ago, but that relationship has now been restored and she is starting again with what she believes is her spiritual family.

“The Lord has made a wonderful change in my heart and the fruition of His purpose for my life is taking place,” said Mary-Jane. “It is clear God is doing this,” said Mary-Jane. “My calling is to help the youth and show them they don’t have to drink and take drugs to have a good time.”

She hopes to host Rapture raves in Durban, Johannesburg, Cape Town and Bloemfontein through her company Zoe Productions, produce Christian house music and, possibly, open a Christian youth centre in Toti.

For more information on the event, visit the Rapture Festival Facebook page www.facebook.com/RaptureFestival.