admin
2PM: Defence Minister Orpah Muchinguri-Kashiri is now delivering the vote of thanks where she emphasizes the importance of synergies between the church and the Government. She chronicles several empowerment projects that have been spearheaded by the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa. She said, for that reason, it was imperative to vote for Zanu PF.
She ends her speech.
1.48 pm: The President ends his speech.
1.45:pm: He urged people to go and vote to defend the country’s national heritage on 23 August 2023. He said there are people who preach about God during the day but pray for the suffering of the country at night.
1.30 pm: The President said Zimbabwe has been the fastest growing country in the nation owing to its robust agriculture model which saw the attainment of food self-sufficiency at household level.
1.18pm: President Mnangagwa challenged his audience to work hard saying that is what God through Genesis 3 verse 19 directed Adam. That he shall eat that which come from his sweat.
1.10pm: He said the various empowerment projects ZCC is doing dovetails with what the Government is pursuing. The projects include building schools and clinics and tilling the land.
1.07pm: The President commended Bishop Mutendi’s leadership, saying he has divine anointment as evidenced by the huge following which was an indictment of the fact that he preaches a true gospel drawn from God.
1.02:pm: President Mnangagwa commends ZCC saying despite its humble beginning it was now flourishing.
“In church, you preach love, peace and unity this is the same message we carry in Government and politics because we take pride in stability.”
12.55pm: In his salutations, President Mnangagwa directs Defence and War Veterans Oppah Muchinguri to come to the fore saying she is the first female Defence Minister in the country. He congratulates Chief Mtshane Khumalo for his election as Chiefs Council president. He equally saluted Chief Fortune Charumbira who is here as well.
12.51pm: President now on the podium. He starts by apologizing for his unusual voice which appeared a bit subdued.
12.41pm: Vice President Chiwenga ends his speech.
12.35pm: Vice President Chiwenga said as the country heads for elections in a few days, “let’s vote for President Mnangagwa who has the requisite divine anointing from above.”
He said only Zanu PF has the keys to take you to the Promised Land, Canaan.
12.31pm: Vice President Chiwenga chronicle the history of the liberation struggle focusing on President Mnangagwa and his other colleagues’ role
He said Zanu PF and the church particularly ZCC are inseparable. Vice President Chiwenga said the work being carried out by ZCC, particularly in the area of education is commendable.
12.26pm: VP Chiwenga is now on the podium and begins by commending Bishop Samuel Mutendi for his visionary leadership when he founded the ZCC. He said his preoccupation was to create indigenous churches that it is consistent with traditional and cultural values.
12.24pm: Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution responsible for Midlands province Cde Lary Mavima delivers a welcoming address where he commends President Mnangagwa’s leadership. His speech is punctuated with biblical scriptures notably Roman’s 13 verse 1 which says leadership and Governments are brought about by God hence the need to respect them.
12.18pm: Bishop Mutendi said God warned Israelites not to be carried away and forget the suffering they went through in Egypt. He said that also applied to his congregates and the country as a whole that today’s luxuries should not sway people from, forgetting their history.
12.15pm: Bishop Mutendi said ZCC now is 111 years old but has only had two leaders, Samuel Mitendi and himself
He commended the Government for honouring its heroes
12.11pm: Bishop Mutendi is now on the podium addressing ZCC pilgrimage in which President Mnangagwa, VP Chiwenga and Cabinet Ministers are in attendance in Gokwe Defe. He starts by thanking God for ending their service incident free.
He reckoned that Government has been remembering its heroes such as James Dambaza Chikerema just as they were honouring their hero Samuel Mutendi today
10.12am: President Mnangagwa has arrived at the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) Defe Dopota Shrine in Gokwe North District, Midlands Province for the church’s annual conference this morning.
9.30am: Proceedings at the Shrine started with the Zuva ra Samere procession which allowed Bishop Mutendi to get close to as many of the members as possible.
9:20: Now under the leadership of Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi, the church has been supporting Government programmes aimed at uplifting the livelihoods of its members in line with Vison 2030.
9.14am: Thousands of ZCC members from across the world are converging here for the conference as they commemorate the passing on of the church founder Reverend Samuel Mutendi on July 20 1976.
President Mnangagwa is expected at the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) Defe Dopota Shrine in Gokwe North District for the church’s annual conference this morning.
Online Reporter