Vusumuzi Dube
Bruce Ndlovu, Sunday News Reporter
THANKSGIVING ceremonies, one traditional and the other church-led, on Friday and Saturday, highlighted the connection that investors behind the reconstruction of Old Gwanda Road have fostered with local communities whose leaders believe their spiritual guidance has helped pave the way for the ambitious project’s progress thus far.
On Friday, the traditional brew was poured out on the ground in Dula, Umzingwane District, Matabeleland South, as Zwane Enterprises, the project investors, were joined by Vice-President Kembo Mohadi during a ceremony preceded by a three-day ancestral observance conducted privately by spirit mediums.
If Friday’s ceremony was about slaking the thirst of the ancestors, the service yesterday at Matopo Mission’s Brethren in Christ Church was about showing the strength of Christian brotherhood, as various denominations came together to acknowledge the intervention of divine forces who they believe made approval of the road, stretching 126km from Bulawayo to Gwanda, possible.
Permanent Secretary for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mrs Latiso Dlamini-Maseko, a former pupil at Matopo Mission, rolled back the years as she led the school’s choirs in hymns that gave thanks to the almighty for paving the way for the reconstruction of a road that it is expected to provide a critical step towards improving connectivity and economic opportunities within the province.
The Old Gwanda Road project includes the establishment of modern road infrastructure, fuel stations, toll gates, and rural shopping malls.
Leaders from the Brethren in Christ Christian (BICC), Zion Christian Church (ZCC), Seventh Day Adventist (SDA), Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) and the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe (MCZ) all rubbed shoulders as they shed allegiance to their denominations, for a day at least, and prayed with one voice.
A sermon on Solomonic wisdom by one leader from the BICC was followed by a prayer from a Methodist member as all churches joined hands in thanking the journey travelled thus far in the project while acknowledging the tough road that lies ahead.
In a speech read on his behalf by Mrs Dlamini, VP Mohadi, said that while it was important to thank God for progress made so far, more still needed to be done by players who were in a position to make a real difference.
“UMvelinqaba! God has made it possible for the long-awaited Old Gwanda Road Project by Zwane Enterprises (Pvt Ltd) to be approved by our Government. Without God, nothing is possible. We, therefore, sing praises to our Creator who makes all things Possible. Now that a major milestone for the project has been reached, the bill is in the Zwane Team’s court to do the rest. Indeed, there are certain things that our God cannot do for us, not due to any Incapacity on His part, because He is Almighty and Omniscient. He cannot fail. He, however, entrusts us with capabilities to do certain things for ourselves to enable us to own up and be responsible people,” he said.
VP Mohadi said that the spirit of unity and fellowship that had been shown by both investors and the community was admirable and a good omen for the prospects of the project.
“We appreciate very much the partnership of Government, investors and the community that has made the project possible. Faith and gratitude for the project’s success are very important. This Prayer Answered Service Ceremony is a testament to the Community’s great values. The youth experience an unforgettable, invaluable experience of prayer and work by this example. 1, therefore, encourage the community to continue working together to ensure the project’s success and to strive for further development. The Government is supportive of entrepreneurial ideas to develop,” he said.
Zwane Enterprises Chief Executive Officer Engineer Bekithemba Mbambo said that people in the province would be proud of the work that his company would do.
“This is a serious project. No one wants to embarrass anyone and we want to make sure that our leaders can go to the people and be proud of the work that we have done. The project is as good as it gets when it comes to projects of this magnitude. We will deliver this road, come rain or sunshine,” he said.
Engineer Mbambo thanked Vice President Mohadi for helping to bring the project to fruition.
“I would encourage those of us who are interested in doing projects such as the one which is embarking on not to hesitate to approach these high offices. You will get a lot of assistance, just as we did,” he said.
Headman Sydney Moyo, who was representing Chief Masuku, said that it was important to thank both the ancestors and God, to ensure that the duration of the road’s construction was incident-free.
“The ceremony yesterday (Friday) was important because we have to thank the ancestral spirits that made sure that this process came to a happy conclusion. We have to thank God as well and that is why we are gathered here. He is the maker of all things and we hope that at no point during the construction of the road will be afflicted by any accidents. Only our maker can make sure that is the case,” he said.
Reverend Andrea Sibindi of BICC thanked the various church leaders for the spiritual guidance they had provided along each step of the project’s enactment.
“At the beginning of last year, when things became tough and the project faced an uphill battle, we gathered as members of various denominations at the Community Hall and prayed that the road ahead for the project would be smoother. Now, we find ourselves at a stage where the project has been approved and I think from the time we were children we were taught that it is important to be thankful. So, we have to thank the lord for bringing us together for the good of this important project,” he said.
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