Online Reporter
Zvamaida Murwira in CHATSWORTH, Masvingo
THE Church’s role must go beyond prayers and intercession to include building, modernising as well as industrialising the country in line with the national development agenda and aspirations, President Mnangagwa has said.
The President made the exhortation yesterday in a speech read on his behalf by Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri at the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) in Zimbabwe general annual conference held at the Rufaro Conference Centre in Chatsworth, Masvingo province.
The event, which was held under the theme “Elevation, Excellence and Impact Conference”, is a convention meant to foster spiritual renewal.
“The Church’s role in a modern-day economy is not only limited to prayer, but broadly to also help build, industrialise and modernise our country. Together, let us work hand in hand, accelerating the realisation of our national development aspirations and Vision 2030,” said President Mnangagwa.
“The unbreakable relationship between the State and the Church is one that we cherish and continue to strengthen. After all, we share a common responsibility towards moulding a morally upright, united, peaceful and prosperous nation.”
It was critical, he said, to realise that every country or society is developed by its own people through collective effort.
“Isu sevana veZimbabwe tabvumirana kuti nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatirwa nevene vayo/Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhulekelwe ngabanikazi balo. Vene venyika tisu. (As the children of Zimbabwe, we have agreed that a country is built, governed and prayed for by its own people),” he said.
“To this end, your commitment as AFM in Zimbabwe to education and skills development is particularly praiseworthy. I would like to thank you for that.
“The establishment of schools across the country, including the outstanding Rufaro High School, demonstrates what can be achieved when faith is translated into action.”
President Mnangagwa said it was encouraging that AFM-led learning centres continue to produce good academic results.
“I am pleased that this institution, rooted in AFM’s faith-based values, has achieved remarkable results at both Ordinary and Advanced Level pass rates. It is pioneering a self-sustaining model that combines academics with vocational training in line with Heritage-Based Education 5.0 being championed by my Government,” he said.
“The church’s plans to establish a university is a bold and welcome initiative which also aligns with our national development trajectory, anchored on a knowledge-driven economy outlined in National Development Strategy 2. As we march towards Vision 2030 to become an empowered and prosperous upper middle-income society, institutions of higher learning must produce graduates who are innovative, practical and solution-oriented.”
The proposed university by AFM in Zimbabwe, the President said, will go beyond serving ordinary church members.
“Your proposed university will not only serve the AFM community but contribute to the overall human capital development of our entire nation. No one must be left behind,” he added.
Turning to the health sector, President Mnangagwa commended the church for constructing a clinic at the centre to serve both the community and church members.
“In the health sector, your contributions are equally commendable. The construction of a clinic here at Rufaro Conference Centre, which is a youth ministry-led initiative, is set to improve healthcare access for thousands of people in this community, while also impacting positively on our targets to realise universal health coverage. Well done.”
He also emphasised the need to work hard to guarantee food security.
“The predictions of the El-Nino-induced drought for the 2026/2027 season must ignite in us all, household by household, greater determination and focus to increase the adoption of the Pfumvudza/Intwasa Programme, among other agriculture initiatives and projects. Let us work hard on our God-given land so that we produce what we eat and we guarantee national food security and sovereignty,” added President Mnangagwa.
“Over and above providing inputs, fertilisers and chemicals to our farmers, Government will continue to capacitate farmers towards the implementation of resilient, innovative, diversified and productive agriculture projects. No one will die of hunger.”
He urged the youth to bring more young people to church, given the growing scourge of drug and substance abuse.
“The youth of Zimbabwe must be saved. As elders, we should never neglect this duty so that our nation continues to worship Almighty God in perpetuity. This is more critical as we confront head-on the scourge of drug and substance abuse, which is sadly tearing the social fabric of societies and robbing our nation of a productive generation.”
The President also challenged the Church to speak out against corruption.
“Corruption remains a cancer that undermines our development efforts. The Church, as a moral compass, must not remain silent on these matters but expose and reject corruption in whatever form it manifests,” he said.
Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira commended President Mnangagwa’s efforts in creating an environment for religious groups to flourish.
AFM in Zimbabwe Bishop Dr Amos Madawo said his church cherished the conducive worshipping environment created by the Second Republic, led by President Mnangagwa.
“Your Government has created a conducive environment for churches to operate. We are partnering the Government in building schools, clinics and other projects,” he said.
At the event, Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri handed an offer letter for 50 hectares to Bishop Madawo for the church to build a university.
This followed a previous commitment by President Mnangagwa to provide additional land to the church.
Earlier on, Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri officially opened Rufaro Clinic.
The event was attended by Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet Reverend Paul Damasane and senior Government officials, among others.
