Online Reporter
Samuel Kadungure
News Editor
THE Apostolic Faith Mission in Zimbabwe is in mourning following the death of Retired Overseer Ben Nhamo, a pioneering clergyman, who died on Wednesday evening in Rusape after a long illness related to old age.
He was 90.
His passing is a great loss to the AFM family, the wider Body of Christ and communities across Zimbabwe, where he planted and nurtured assemblies and mentored generations of ministers.
Family spokesman Elder Phillip Nhamo confirmed the death, saying the family, church and community had lost a father whose life was marked by prayer, sacrifice and service.
“We are deeply humbled and comforted by the outpouring of love from across the AFM fraternity, sister churches and the community. Our father lived for the Lord, for the Gospel and for people. Though we are grieving, we take solace in the Word of God, which assures us that those who sleep in Christ will rise again. We ask the church to stand with us in prayer as we honour his legacy of faith, discipline and compassion,” said Elder Nhamo, adding that funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.
Born in 1936 in Chinyadza, Makoni District, Rtd Overseer Nhamo was the first born in a family of five. He attended Chinyadza Primary School up to Standard Four before moving to Mutare, where he worked as a houseboy. He later relocated to Salisbury and worked at Montrey Bakery, delivering bread by bicycle.
It was at New-Way Dry Cleaners, where he worked as a presser, that his call to ministry deepened. According to an earlier interview with this reporter, Rtd Overseer Nhamo said a Domboshava prophetess Gogo Murape repeatedly urged him to heed God’s call, warning that continued resistance would bring him discomfort and persecution.
Challenges at work and an arrest during a night vigil convinced the late clergyman that God was redirecting his path.
He enrolled in 1974 in the second stream at the AFM Bible College at Dzivarasekwa Assembly, where he was training while already serving as an elder. The late Overseer Wilson waived his fees in recognition of his role in helping build the college. He trained for three years alongside ministers including Reverends Enos Manyika, the late Mazadza and Titus Murefu.
Upon graduation, he was posted to Gaza Assembly in Chipinge, a turbulent area at the time, before his transfer in 1980 to AFM Vengere in Rusape. Together with missionary Overseers Wilson and Mhlonga, he also helped establish AFM in Marlborough. At his peak, he ministered at AFM Mutare City Centre.
Rtd Overseer Nhamo was married to the late Theresa Kundishora in 1962.
AFM leaders said Rtd Overseer Nhamo’s ministry was anchored in holiness, evangelism and discipleship. They noted his emphasis on smartness in presentation, diligence in work and love as a tool for outreach — values he learnt early in life.
Funeral arrangements are being made by the AFM leadership in consultation with the family.
