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THE Government has called on churches to participate fully in the implementation of the ongoing indigenisation and empowerment programmes meant to turnaround the economy.Addressing thousands of Johane Masowe Church members in Bulawayo’s Entumbane suburb yesterday, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in Matabeleland North, Cde Cain Mathema, said the church played a pivotal role in the history of the country and its involvement in socio-economic matters today was critical.
“We applaud the work you are doing as churches. The apostolic church in particular, has pioneered indigenisation and defended the black empowerment stance.
“You refused to work for the white settlers way back because you wanted to work for yourselves and own the economy. I know I am speaking to business people here and as politicians we learn a lot from you about indigenisation. I believe Christianity is a religion of revolution and we urge churches to take the indigenisation programme seriously,” said Cde Mathema.
He said the growth of the domestic economy required capital injection and challenged churches to establish financial institutions that would support the local economy.
“I regard poverty to be a sin before God and it is because of this realisation that Government has embarked on this indigenisation programme meant to empower the people.
“I want to urge churches to establish banks that will support our industries financially,” he said.
He said major financial institutions were foreign owned hence many of them were coming up with stringent lending conditions such as demanding collateral.
Cde Mathema said the Johane Masowe Church had the capacity to undertake massive infrastructural development projects given its large following.
He said the entire world was looking at Zimbabwe with keen interest and urged all stakeholders to have a common agenda of developing the country.
Cde Mathema said Zimbabwe urged local authorities to provide land to build churches. The head of the Johane Masowe Church, Bishop Joshua Matongo, said the church was aware of the ongoing developments in the country and was committed to playing its role in supporting the Government.
“We are aware of the changes that the Government is trying to implement and as a church we cannot be left behind,” said Bishop Matongo.
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derick.khumalo