Online Reporter
Robin Muchetu and Judith Phiri , Sunday News Reporters
VICE-PRESIDENT Kembo Mohadi has underscored the vital role of the Church in nation-building, highlighting that the task of national development requires the active involvement of all sectors of society including religious institutions, the business community and the locals.
Speaking at the 2026 Annual Convention of the Adventist-Laymen’s Services and Industries (ASI) under the Zimbabwe West Union Conference (ZWUC), held at Solusi University yesterday, VP Mohadi commended the Church’s influence in shaping moral values, fostering social cohesion and contributing to community development.
He stressed that the Church’s leadership and moral guidance are essential in uniting the nation and driving sustainable progress.
The Vice-President emphasised the importance of collaboration between Government and religious organisations, recognising that faith-based institutions play a crucial role in promoting peace, social justice and development initiatives across Zimbabwe.
“As Government, we recognise that the mandate of national development cannot be shouldered by the State alone. It requires the ‘total member involvement’ of committed partners who understand that service to humanity is service to God.
In this regard, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe His Excellency Dr ED Mnangagwa always inspires citizens to come forward and build Zimbabwe as the mantra goes; ‘Ilizwe lakhiwa, likhulekelwe, libuswe ngabanikazi balo/ Nyika inovakwa, igonamatirwa, igotongwa nevene vayo,’” he said.
“I want to emphasise the point that says a nation is also prayed for by its people. These are strong words from a Head of State to inculcate the virtue of patriotism. No one from any other planet will come and assist to build our country,” he said.
VP Mohadi said the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church has a legacy of service dating back to 1894 and forms part of Zimbabwe’s national heritage, with its membership now exceeding one million people in the country.
He highlighted the Church’s contribution to education and health, noting that it established the first private university, Solusi University and runs more than 100 primary schools and 50 secondary schools, including Anderson, Bulawayo Adventist High and Ruya.
“The SDA church partners Government in times of national disasters. A true friend is known in times of adversity. The government applauds the SDA Church particularly through the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA),” he added.
He commended the Church for its swift response to disasters, citing Cyclone Idai in Manicaland Province.
“You did not just bring aide but dignity and recovery in those communities,” he said.
VP Mohadi said the Church is also playing a key role in combating social ills such as drug and substance abuse affecting the youth.
“The Adventist church has not remained silent about this issue. We applaud your leadership to pledge to build rehabilitation centres of influence around the country,” he added.
Turning to economic empowerment and self-reliance, he said the Church has established a strong presence in uplifting marginalised communities, with Government recognising its efforts.
“Through the Adventist Laymen’s Services and Industries, you have rolled out a revolving fund aimed at empowering Small to Medium Enterprises. In this region, more than 40 SMEs have benefited from this fund which is currently capitalised at US$150 000. We applaud these efforts and believe you can do more especially in empowering young people who are the future of our generation,” said VP Mohadi.
He assured delegates of Government’s continued support for freedom of worship in Zimbabwe.
“Be the salt and the light in Zimbabwe, without you, we may lose course. Continue to pray for your leaders,” he added.
Speaking at the same event, Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe told delegates that the Church is a key development partner in the province, adding that the convention would help improve investment and stimulate business growth.
Minister Nguluvhe said Church leadership had done well to host the convention in Matabeleland South, a province rich in investment opportunities across its seven districts. He noted that the province is endowed with vast mineral resources and a strong agricultural sector producing high-quality livestock and crops.
Meanwhile, the Vice-President, earlier on attended the launch of the Sukumani Foundation’s Beyond The Classroom Leadership Programme held at a local hotel in Bulawayo where he called on the youth to be the patriots of the nation’s vision 2030 as they are the future leaders of tomorrow who will drive Zimbabwe’s economic transformation.
The Vice-President said it was critical to indoctrinate values and principles of leadership in the youth.
“The vision of this foundation is great and noble. Noble in the sense that the objectives are to make you leaders of tomorrow and to inculcate in you values and virtues of leadership.
“We therefore support this foundation for that thrust it has set itself to achieve. Yes, someone was saying that some leaders are born, some are trained and some have leadership thrust upon them. That does not really matter, it’s all leadership,” he said.
VP Mohadi said people with patriotism, that have love for each other and love for their country, will be able to drive Zimbabwe’s economic transformation forward.
“To some of you here, one that may need to analyse our set of Government, you will find that the majority of the people in leadership now are young people.
“We are there to guide them on how they should steer the ship of this country. So, it is along those lines that I agreed to attend this inaugural meeting, just to show my face and maybe share the few ideas that I am sharing with you.
“We believe in the youth, we believe in you as the future leaders of tomorrow. We believe in a future that will do better than us, as your fathers and grandfathers, but the basic thing that we have got to do is to impart knowledge and education to you,” he added.
He said the Government under the leadership of President Mnangagwa introduced Heritage-based Education 5.0, a transformative, five-pillar philosophy to shift higher education from theoretical knowledge to industrialisation, innovation and production based on local knowledge systems.
The Beyond The Classroom Leadership Programme is being run by the Sukumani Foundation which was formed in May 2025 and is targeted at future leaders aged 16 to 18.
