Online Reporter
Theseus Shambare
“He has risen!”
This message is today reverberating across Zimbabwe, and different parts of the world.
While the nation enjoys complete freedom of worship, it is a land undeniably shaped mainly by the tenets of Christianity.
As Easter Sunday unfolds, that declaration carries more than just spiritual weight; it mirrors the nation’s own yearning for renewal, restoration and rebirth.
A journey of conviction, diversity
From major highways to dusty footpaths, Zimbabweans are filling churches and open-air cathedrals across the country.
Many have travelled vast distances despite the mounting strain of rising fuel costs caused by the war in Iran.
“It is not about comfort; it is about conviction,” said Lameck Dube, who journeyed from Bulawayo to Masvingo for an Easter conference.
Across every denomination, the story remains the same: Gatherings are taking place in every corner of the country.
Though each service is shaped by its own specific doctrine, they are all united by a shared message of hope.
The Methodist Church in Zimbabwe, one of the country’s largest denominations, has decentralised its celebrations this year.
Individual circuits are hosting their own programmes, while others participate in pulpit exchanges within smaller groupings.
Yet, across these scattered gatherings, one theme binds them: “Remain in Christ”, drawn from the Gospel of John 15:1-8. The spirit of revival is palpable in every province.
In the heart of the capital, Harare, the New Creation Embassy has drawn hundreds to the Spilhaus Centre for its “Good News Easter Conference”, a gathering marked by vibrant worship and communal prayer.
Meanwhile, for the community in Glen Norah, Goodness and Mercy Ministries has shifted the spiritual atmosphere into high gear.
Overflowing tents now line the area as congregants gather in huge numbers for a series of powerful revival services.
“At least some of us simply walk to and from church; fuel price increases have not affected our worship practices that much,” said Mavis Mudzingwa, one of the Goodness and Mercy Ministries congregants.
In Masvingo, the scale of devotion is staggering.
The Zion Christian Church (ZCC) has gathered thousands at the Mbungo Estate.
Against the backdrop of the estate’s grand architecture, messages of national unity and peace have echoed alongside traditional sermons of the resurrection.
Embracing the digital age, The Salvation Army has extended its reach far beyond physical borders.
Under the theme “Rooted in Prayer and Commitment”, the church is broadcasting its proceedings live, successfully bridging the gap between local worshippers and the Zimbabwean diaspora across the globe.
“We are preaching the message of peace, commitment and hope, reaching far and wide,” said the church.
Faith beyond circumstance
From the Palm Sunday commemorations led by the Zimbabwe Council of Churches to intimate congregational meetings and gospel concerts, the nation is immersed in a season of reflection.
Even as economic pressures tighten due to global disturbances, the pews remain full and the altars crowded.
It is a quiet but powerful testimony to a people whose faith refuses to yield to circumstance. Beyond the sermons and sacred gatherings, another story unfolds, one that reflects the deeper human meaning of Easter.
At cemeteries across the country, families have gathered to tend to graves and unveil tombstones, honouring those who have gone before them.
“We come because they are still part of us,” said Nyasha Chigariro, just after she purchased a tombstone for her late father and prepared to ferry it to Mutare for unveiling on this Resurrection Day.
“They hear us; they see us. Just as Mary went to the tomb, we come to honour our own.”
In Zimbabwe, culture and Christianity intertwine seamlessly, shaping a unique understanding of life, death and continuity.
Within this cultural tapestry, the symbolism of resurrection extends far beyond scripture; it is woven into the lived realities of everyday life.
Today, Zimbabwe is navigating its own profound journey from hardship towards renewal.
The resurrection of the land
In the fields across the country, crops now stand tall — a green signal of a turnaround from seasons of uncertainty brought by drought, economic strain and global shocks.
“We have seen difficult years, compounded by economic sanctions, droughts and conflicts that affected our agriculture. But now, things are improving as we adjust and adapt,” said Guruve farmer Tomutenda Jangano.
“We are feeding our families and even supporting others across the borders.”
Once weighed down by food insecurity, Zimbabwe is increasingly producing enough to sustain itself, even assisting neighbours like Malawi and Mozambique in their times of need.
This shift reflects more than just agricultural recovery; it marks a broader movement towards stability and self-reliance under the Second Republic’s progressive policies.
The industrial revival
In Manhize, the clang of steel and the glow of furnaces are shaping more than just metal; they are laying the foundation of Zimbabwe’s industrial resurrection.
The Dinson Iron and Steel Company plant is positioning the country as a regional titan.
Expected to produce 1,5 million tonnes of steel annually in its first phase, with projections rising to over 5 million tonnes, the project is a cornerstone of economic growth.
It is set to create thousands of jobs, reduce steel imports and feed critical sectors like construction, mining and manufacturing.
“This is not just a plant for Zimbabwe; it is a game-changer for the region. It will anchor value chains, create jobs and drive industrialisation,” said Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda.
Dinson chief executive officer Ben Xu added: “For years, we exported raw materials and imported finished goods. Now, we are building from within. Our goal is to make Manhize a benchmark for African steel production that competes globally.”
Government efforts to enforce mineral beneficiation are beginning to take root, signalling a move away from dependency towards value addition. Economist Dr Rumbidzai Moyo describes this as a gradual but significant transformation.
“Resurrection is not an event,” she noted.
“It is a process — and Zimbabwe is in the midst of that process.”
A new song for a new era
That belief is finding fresh expression in the arts.
Once criticised for promoting questionable values, the creative industry is now embracing messages of hope.
Artistes are harnessing technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), to produce music that resonates with a society seeking meaning.
AI-enhanced tracks — such as the popular Shona gospel song “Ndakainamatira Nyaya Iyoyi” by GraceWave.zw and “Zvichaita Chete” by The Unveiled — have won hearts across the nation, spreading messages of faith across digital platforms and radio alike.
In churches, fields, factories and
studios, the signs of renewal are evident.
They may not always be dramatic, but they are steady and undeniable.
As Zimbabweans move between places of worship, homes and gravesites this Easter, they are participating in more than a tradition; they are living a story of resurrection in motion.
It is a story seen in the determination to gather.
It is a story reflected in the land that continues to yield.
It is a story forged in steel and carried in song.
As the day draws to a close and families gather to share meals, the symbolism becomes complete.
From the tomb to the table, Zimbabwe’s resurrection is not just a message being preached — it is a reality being lived.
