adminAbel Mukanda
MOST people wonder and wish to know what Guta Ra Mwari church is all about. It is sometimes viewed with suspicion by those watching from afar but those with relatives or those who have attended weddings and other social activities there now understand and appreciate what Guta Ra Mwari is.
Founded in 1954 by Mai Chaza who was a member of Methodist Church, Guta Ra Mwari now have branches across the globe. The church is well-known for healing stubborn illnesses and casting out evil spirits. As a Theology student part of my research is unpacking and demystifying Guta Ra Mwari as a religion.
Mai Chaza who is known as The First Host by multitudes of Guta Ra Mwari members founded it after leaving Methodist church when she began healing people with different ailments and spiritual problems. Her husband also left her after failing to grapple with his wife’s new found spiritual healing prowess. She had to endure life on top of mountains healing people across the racial divide. Many people especially with spiritual problems were healed by the First Host. Before passing on, on 25 December 1960, the Holy Spirit through her promised to come back after 40 days which was fulfilled on 3 February hence these celebrations which are known as Isithembiso in Isindebele, Chivimbiso in ChiShona and Tshoelofetso in SeTswana.
When the Holy Spirit returned as per the promise after 40 days, an elder in Bulawayo known then as elder T Tayali was incarnated. Some of the congregants, especially those in religion’s top positions and some relatives were not amused and they rejected God’s choice. The second Host then took over from the first and the salvation continued and 12 families were then chosen spiritually to go around the world preaching the existence of God the Holy Spirit in Guta Ra Mwari and that people were being freed from physical and spiritual aflictions.
The headquarters of Guta Ra Mwari then moved from D Square to Mpopoma South. Many people were to join Guta Ra Mwari at that point including the Sivako families and the Malunga families among others. Joseph Bingo Malunga who is the chairman international of Guta Ra Mwari was to spend some years in Gonakudzingwa as a political prisoner during the liberation struggle and wrote many letters to the congregation asking for prayers so that Zimbabwe gains independence. It was not long before a pronouncement was made by the Host to the effect that all African countries would be freed from colonialism and no stone would be left on top of the other. Zimbabwe gained her independence on 18 April 1980 and other countries like Namibia and South Africa were to follow in 1990 and 1994 respectively.
As an indigeonous church Guta Ra Mwari is apolitical but works under the current Government, that is why it always tries to involve the Government of Zimbabwe in all it’s activities. The first senior Government official to visit Guta Ra Mwari during Isithembiso festival was the late Vice-President Dr Joshua Nkomo followed by the late Vice-President Simon Muzenda who graced the festival twice. According to Press reports this year 2016 RTD Colonel Tshinga Dube the deputy minister of War Veterans and Makokoba MP, was the guest of honour joining the country’s luminaries like the two late vice-presidents.
After the passing on of the second Holy Host on 6 December 2003, the Guta Ra Mwari family was to go through the same difficult period as the family and the church had differences on some issues including the leadership structure of the church. The first born daughter is now leading a church at Mpopoma, the last born son who initially went to Mpopoma is now leading his at Lobengula and the structured leadership and the congregants are at Tshabalala where the main celebrations were. Beside these mishaps people are joining Guta Ra Mwari and are getting healed as it was pronounced that even if the very body people knew would not be among people, the Holy Spirit will continue working especially for those who abide by God’s standing orders. The headquarters of Guta Ra Mwari is in Bulawayo as pronounced by the Holy Host.
What must be known about Guta Ra Mwari is that members pray to GOD directly without mentioning other names. Guta Ra Mwari members do not celebrate Christmas as to them it was the day the first Holy Host Mai Chaza passed on in 1960 and ironically the second Holy Host passed on on 6 December 2003. If one wants to celebrate with members of Guta Ra Mwari, he or she must join them during the weekend after 3 February. Their normal services are only one hour long. For those with stubborn illnesses and spiritual problems Guta Ra Mwari is the place to be. For the multitudes and loyal members, Guta Ra Mwari is not just a church but a spiritual clinic and a university of life.
n Abel Mukanda is a Theology student at a local college and is writing in his personal capacity and his thesis involves unpacking the originality and operations of indigenous churches.
derick.khumalo