Acting President Kembo Mohadi is officially opening the National Prayer Service, a gathering that has drawn Zimbabweans from across the country and beyond its borders to place faith at the centre of the national development agenda.

The service is emphasising accelerated development and the need to unite, recommit and pray towards attaining upper middle-income status by 2030.

Church leaders say the Church remains a critical partner in tackling social challenges such as drug and substance abuse, complementing Government efforts through spiritual guidance and positive youth programmes, including sport.

They have also underscored the importance of the Church’s voice in uplifting national morale in the face of what they described as “prophets of doom.”

This year’s service has attracted Christians from as far afield as the United Kingdom and Kenya, highlighting its growing regional and international appeal.

Hosted by the Faith for the Nation Campaign in association with the Zimbabwe Indigenous Interdenominational Council of Churches (ZIICC), the event is being broadcast live on ZTV and various social media platforms, with several gospel musicians and groups expected to perform.

Our Senior Reporter Nqobile Bhebhe and Chief Photographer Eliah Saushoma will be giving us live updates from the venue, the Zimbabwe International Conference Centre (ZIEC) in Bulawayo.

 

The National Thanksgiving and Dedication Service is underway here unfolding in a spirit of reverence and gratitude, as the nation gathers to give thanks unto the Lord.

According to the official programme, dignitaries are expected to arrive at the venue between 9:30am and 10:30am, paving the way for the arrival of the Guest of Honour, Acting President Dr Kembo Mohadi who will be received and taken through briefing formalities upon arrival.

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Proceedings will then be sanctified by the Opening Prayer and the singing of the National Anthem, followed by introductory remarks and a devotional led by Reverend Andrew Wutawunashe, Convenor and Director of Ceremonies.

Remarks, prayers and presentations by church leaders, civic leaders and Cabinet Ministers will follow, culminating in an address by His Grace Bishop Dr Nehemiah Mutendi, Patron of the Zimbabwe Indigenous Interdenominational Council of Churches (ZIICC), scheduled between 12:00pm and 12:30pm.

The programme will further be graced by welcome remarks from the Minister of State and Devolution for Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, Honourable Judith Ncube, who will then introduce the Guest of Honour, Acting President Dr Mohadi, as the service continues under God’s guidance and blessing.

After Acting President Dr Mohadi’s address, a dedication prayer service will be conducted.

Drawing from the rich legacy of past National Thanksgiving and Dedication Services, this year’s observance stands on a strong foundation of faith, unity and national purpose.

 

Below are past themes of the National Thanksgiving and Dedication Service

 

2025- “Acknowledging Divine Providence in the Progress of our Nation”,

 

2024 – “Our Nation, Our Opportunity — celebrating the progress and acknowledging the potential for our country Zimbabwe.

 

2023 “A time to work hard in unity under God to build our nation”.

 

2022 -Let Us Embrace the Culture of Hard Work, the Key to Building our Nation Zimbabwe.

 

2021- “Pursuing Nation Building Initiatives in the Spirit of Godly Patriotism Ownership Unity and Inclusiveness”2020- “Celebrating the Nation’s Progress towards Vision 2030”

 

2018- “God has given Zimbabwe the answer of peace”.

 

Churches declare robust National Restoration since 2017

RELIGIOUS bodies drawn from across the country, together with representatives of the business sector, have adopted a declaration affirming what they described as a robust state of national restoration in Zimbabwe since 2017.

The declaration was issued and circulated to thousands of worshippers at the 9th National Thanksgiving and Dedication Service in Bulawayo today and is titled “The Churches Declaration of a Robust State of Restoration throughout the Nation of Zimbabwe since 2017.”

According to the statement, the declaration was unanimously adopted by the convocation of churches.

“The Convocation unanimously adopted the following Declaration to be known as The Churches Declaration of a Robust State of Restoration Throughout the Nation of Zimbabwe since 2017.”

The churches said the declaration is being presented not only to Zimbabweans but also to the international community.

“We are honoured in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to commend this Declaration to the People of Zimbabwe in particular, and to the world at large and to invite affirmation of it from all people of goodwill and integrity.”

The declaration notes that the Church has consistently played a critical role in praying for the nation during difficult periods in its history.

“This Declaration also takes serious note of the fact that throughout years of hardships, conflict and privations in various aspects of the nation, the Church has steadfastly looked to Almighty God in prayer and faith for National Healing and Restoration, calling upon all to have faith for the Nation.”

The churches said they are now witnessing tangible outcomes which they believe are answers to prayer.

“We now see the evident Restoration in many aspects of the Nation as an answer to prayer and a fulfilment of Prophecies of pleasant outcomes that have continually been uttered concerning Zimbabwe.”

The declaration further urged citizens to acknowledge the progress made.

“As the people of Zimbabwe we should therefore count our blessings and desist from misleading postures trying to claim any form of national decline.”

According to the statement, during the ongoing tenure of President Mnangagwa, the country has experienced sustained restoration across multiple sectors.

The declaration said Zimbabwe has seen progress in spiritual, social, political and economic spheres.

The Declaration said during the ongoing tenure of President Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe has experienced a sustained period of restoration in all aspects, spintual, social, political and most markedly economic.

The churches contrasted the current situation with the challenges the country previously faced.

“It is common cause that the country was for years suffering severe privations in practically every field with such necessities as fuel, groceries, essential machinery and vital commodities becoming difficult to access, leading to painful distortions in the marketplace.”

The Declaration also made reference to the state of infrastructure in prior years.

“The country’s infrastructure was falling apart and the roads had become almost universally unnavigable.”

The declaration also reaffirmed the churches’ commitment to national unity, prayer and continued engagement in Zimbabwe’s development trajectory, as they call upon citizens to embrace faith, gratitude and collective responsibility for the nation’s future.

Acting President Kembo Mohadi has arrived to officiate the National Prayer Service.

Acting President Dr Kembo Mohadi has arrived at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre (ZIEC) Hall in Bulawayo for the National Thanksgiving and Dedication Service.

He was accompanied by Reverend Andrew Wutawunashe, the Convenor and Director of Ceremonies, as well as several religious leaders.

This year’s solemn gathering is being held under the theme “Acknowledging Divine Providence in the Progress of our Nation”, as the faithful assemble to lift one voice of gratitude to the Almighty for His sustaining grace over Zimbabwe.

Cabinet Ministers in attendance include Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement Minister Dr Anxious Masuka, Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Raj Modi, President of the Chiefs Council Mthana Khumalo, his deputy Fortune Charumbira, and other senior Government officials.

The sacred assembly, organised by the Faith for the Nation Campaign in partnership with the Zimbabwe Indigenous Interdenominational Council of Churches (ZIICC), stands as a powerful moment of national gratitude, reflection and spiritual renewal.

It brings together national leadership and the body of believers to seek divine wisdom for peace, unity and shared prosperity.

Faith for the Nation Campaign founder and chairperson Rev Andrew Wutawunashe has declared Zimbabwe a blessed nation, saying God gave the country President Mnangagwa to lead it.

Addressing congregants during a thanksgiving service in Bulawayo attended by Government officials and worshippers from across the country at the Zimabwe International Exhibition Centre (ZIEC), Prophet Wutawunashe said the nation had every reason to give thanks for its leadership.

“Our greatest thanksgiving is to a man whom God gave us, that is none other than President Mnangagwa. He is not with us today because of other commitments,” said Rev Wutawunashe to loud cheers from worshippers.

“Without any apology I say Zimbabwe is blessed because God gave us President Mnangagwa,” he said.

Prophet Wutawunashe also paid tribute to Acting President Kembo Mohadi, whom he described as a faithful servant and helper given to the nation by God.

“God also gave us his helper, a man who has only missed one thanksgiving service, that is Acting President Mohadi,” he said.

Acting President Mohadi is the Guest of Honour at the event.

Rev Wutawunashe said there is misleading information locally and internationally that Zimbabwe is stagnant.

“But since 2017, there has been tremendous progress in the country… The truth will set us free.

“If we lie about the country we are not showing Faith in God.”

The Faith for the Nation Campaign thanksgiving service is held annually to pray for the country’s leadership, peace, unity and prosperity, and to acknowledge what organisers describe as God’s hand in Zimbabwe’s journey.

 

President Mnangagwa’s vision for a prosperous and empowered upper-middle-income society by 2030 is firmly on course, with devolution and agriculture anchoring Zimbabwe’s economic transformation, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka has said.

Addressing worshippers at the ongoing National Thanksgiving and Dedication Service in Bulawayo, Dr Masuka said the Second Republic, ushered in 2017, set a clear national development trajectory anchored on inclusivity and decentralisation.

“When the Second Republic came in 2017, President Mnangagwa had a vision to become a prosperous and empowered upper-middle-income society by 2030, leaving no one and no place behind.

“That is why the decentralisation and devolution agenda is fundamental. It is firmly on course.

“And this visionary, President Mnangagwa realized that Zimbabwe’s enabler-based economy was to be powered by a successful agricultural sector because agriculture has causative, collateral and multiplier effects throughout the rest of the economy.”

Dr Masuka said President Mnangagwa is transforming Zimbabwe every day, with agriculture playing a central role in national development.

“With President Mnangagwa there is food security everywhere,” he said.

He told worshippers that every sector of agriculture is changing countrywide, with the transformation benefiting every citizen.

Dr Masuka also said growing international recognition of Zimbabwe’s economic performance, citing acknowledgement from global financial institutions.

“But I will also indicate that Zimbabwe has now been acknowledged by the International Monetary Fund that it is among the 25 nations in the world whose economies are the fastest growers.

“In fact, looking at the numbers today, Zimbabwe will be number 14 in the world in terms of fastest growth in economies. The revised projection indicates a 6.6 percent growth.”

Dr Masuka said the positive growth outlook reflects the impact of sound economic policies under the Second Republic, with agriculture continuing to act as a key driver of recovery and expansion across all sectors of the economy.

UPDATE :

TRADITIONAL leaders have called for the accelerated continuation of the Intwasa programme, saying the initiative is key to transforming rural livelihoods and boosting agricultural productivity.

President of the Chiefs Council, Chief Mtshana Khumalo, said chiefs were satisfied with the impact of the programme, which was introduced by the Second Republic to tackle low productivity and uplift farming communities across the country.

Speaking at the ongoing 9th National Thanksgiving and Dedication Service in Bulawayo, Chief Mtshana Khumalo said rural communities remained the backbone of Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector.

He was responding to remarks by Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement Minister Dr Anxious Masuka, who told congregants that agriculture under the Second Republic was transforming rural areas and driving economic growth.

“Since 2017, as chiefs, we have been invited to this gathering. Today we are happy that we are still together,” he said.

Chief Mtshana Khumalo said traditional leaders had taken note of Government’s commitment to developing rural areas through agriculture.

“We heard the Lands minister, Dr Masuka, saying that development in rural areas is growing the economy through agriculture.

“We, as chiefs, hope that the Intwasa programme continues,” he said.

He added that chiefs would also like to see the National Thanksgiving and Dedication Service decentralised and extended to rural areas to allow wider community participation.

The Intwasa programme is one of the flagship initiatives under the Second Republic aimed at improving productivity and ensuring food security, with traditional leaders playing a key role in mobilising communities to support Government programmes.

UPDATE :

Nqobile Bhebhe, Zimpapers Senior Writer

ACTING President Dr Kembo Mohadi has said the National Thanksgiving and Dedication Service is a sacred moment for reflection and acknowledgement of God’s providence in the life of Zimbabwe.

Addressing thousands of worshippers gathered at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre (ZIEC) during the service on Sunday, Dr Mohadi said the country’s progress in governance and development had been made possible through divine guidance and protection.

He said the Almighty had generously bestowed His blessings upon Zimbabweans, enabling them to build and develop the nation.

“Today is not merely a date on our national calendar. It is a sacred pause, a moment for reflection not only on how far we have come, but on who has sustained us along the way.

“We are reminded that the story of our nation is not written by human effort alone, but guided by a higher purpose,” said Dr Mohadi.

The Acting President stressed the importance of divine guidance in national development, quoting Psalm 127:1: “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it.”

“Indeed, our progress in governance, development, peace and unity has been made possible because the Almighty has watched over our land.

“Today is a day to thank the Lord for the year 2025, in which the Almighty has generously rewarded our united indigenous efforts to build our nation, Zimbabwe,” he said.

Dr Mohadi called on citizens to continue rallying behind Zimbabwe’s guiding national philosophy:

“Nyika inovakwa, igodzivirirwa, igonamatirwa navene vayo;
Ilizwe lakhiwa, livikelwe, likhulekelwe ngabanikazi balo.”

He explained that the philosophy aligned with the essence of the thanksgiving gathering, emphasising the responsibility of Zimbabweans as stewards and custodians of their country.

“It urges us to consistently petition our loving Creator for His help in all our efforts to build our beloved country, Zimbabwe,” he said.

Reflecting on challenges the nation has faced, Dr Mohadi said the progress achieved so far was largely a result of divine providence.

“As such, we can boldly declare with the Psalmist: ‘Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth’ (Psalm 124:8).

“For this reason, it is indeed important that we hold this great united convocation to give thanks to the Lord for the help He so bountifully rendered to us throughout 2025,” he said.

The Acting President also expressed confidence that Zimbabwe remains on course to attain Vision 2030 under the leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

This year’s National Thanksgiving and Dedication Service is being held under the theme “Acknowledging Divine Providence in the Progress of our Nation”, as the faithful gather to lift one voice of gratitude to the Almighty for His sustaining grace over Zimbabwe.