Online Reporter
Obey Musiwa
Herald Reporter
Masowe for Economic Development (Masowe4ED), in partnership with the Forestry Commission of Zimbabwe and the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife on Friday, launched a tree‑planting initiative in Glen Norah B to dispel long‑held stereotypes linking apostolic worship sites to deforestation.
The programme, timed to coincide with the rainy season, marks a shift in the role of apostolic churches in ecosystem restoration.
By transforming worship spaces into hubs of reafforestation, Masowe4ED is aligning its efforts with the National Development Strategy 2 and Vision 2030 under President Mnangagwa, reinforcing Government priorities on climate resilience, sustainable livelihoods and inclusive innovation.
Masowe4ED leaders from all 10 provinces participated, with plans already underway to expand the initiative to four additional masowe sites in Harare this January.
Environment, Climate and Wildlife Deputy Minister, Mr John Paradza, who was represented by the ministry’s chief accountant, Ms Tarupuwa Moyo, said environmental stewardship is not the responsibility of the Government alone.
“It is a shared national obligation consistent with the spirit of President’s mantra “Nyika inovakwa nevene wayo”,” he said.
“This initiave resonates directly with Zimbabwe’s Vision2030 which seeks to transform our country into an Upper-Middle class society.”
He emphasised sustainable utilisation of resources urging the initiave to expand across all apolistic sites.
“National Development Strategy 2 recognises that sustainable development must be people centred and locally driven,” he said.
“In this regard, the tree initiative launched today embodies the national mantra and communities taking ownership of their environment,” he said.
ZANU-PF DCC Glen Norah District chairperson, Cde Juhtin Pachiti, said that reforestation is vital to stop the nation from turning into a desert.
“A tree should get cut down while one possesses two more trees to plant. The use of axe should be less unless you have another two trees to plant,” said Cde Pachiti.
He expressed gratitude to Masowe4ED for bringing together leaders from different provinces to strengthen climate resilience and align with the President’s vision.
“I thank Masowe4ED to engage leaders from different provinces to learn the importance of climate resilience,” he said.
“Together with the Forestry Commission of Zimbabwe, support for the President’s vision is clear and well into action.
Masowe4ED chairperson, Mr Onwell Vengesa, said the organisation is admitting to being perpetrators of deforestation.
“We use firewood every time we get together, and we clear land to have a place to worship. Today, we have said no more and we collaborated with the Forestry Commission to set an example for other Zanu PF affiliates and apostolic churches as a broad,” he said.
He emphasised a target of reafforestation of one million trees in 246 masowe sites across all provinces.
“We have invited Masowe4ED leaders from all 10 provinces to learn and lead the initiative across the country,” he said.
“We are following the President’s declaration of the National Day of Planting and ensuring no place is left behind.”
