Online Reporter
Aaron Nyamayaro and Remember Deketeke
THE Church has stepped in to play a critical role in complementing the Government’s drive to clear the country’s 1,2 million housing backlog, with a pledge to construct decent homes for low-income earners, including vendors, commuter omnibus drivers, civil servants and pastors.
Destiny for Africa founder, Reverend Obadiah Musindo, said this yesterday during the launch of a low-income housing scheme in Harare, where he underscored the importance of broad-based partnerships in infrastructure development.
“Destiny of Afrika Network has come up with housing projects and schemes designed to cater for almost every class or sector in our society,” he said.
“Destiny for Africa Network has come up with innovative housing projects and schemes designed to cater for almost every class or sector in our society”.
“We are targeting 200 000 housing units by 2030 as our role to complement President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030.
“We believe that meaningful development in any nation should be driven by the citizens.”
The initiative comes at a time when Government is intensifying efforts under Vision 2030 to deliver affordable housing and eliminate informal settlements, which have become a challenge in urban centres.
Reverend Musindo said the church was responding directly to President Mnangagwa’s call for collective participation in national development.
“The Government has clearly articulated a national vision of the Zimbabwe we want, the Zimbabwe we desire to have,” he said.
“The purpose of Destiny of Africa Network is to assist low-income earners, including vendors, security guards, cross-border traders, journalists and pastors.
“The church has been dwelling so much on a belief that says we have no home on earth, and many pastors are getting old without a retirement home, a family home and when they die, their families suffer.”
Reverend Musindo stressed that the programme would not only target ordinary workers locked out of traditional mortgage systems, but also church leaders and their families who often retire without decent shelter.
He said beneficiaries would be afforded flexible payment plans.
“All low-income earners will be accorded access to better houses and be able to contribute less for five years,” he said.
“We are responding to the Government’s call for everyone to play their part in the national development agenda. Our members include thousands of ordinary workers who struggle to access mortgages.”
Reverend Musindo said this would ensure sustainable settlements while avoiding the mushrooming of unplanned developments.
“As you are all aware, I am here to make sure you have decent housing with title deeds. Moreso I will never support parallel developments as it hampers development,” he said.
The church’s intervention is expected to significantly ease the housing burden while giving dignity to workers and families who have long been excluded from conventional housing finance.
