Online Reporter
Samuel Kadungure
News Editor
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa this afternoon applauded Manicaland Province for rising to fifth in national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contribution and challenged the church to spearhead the nation’s march towards Vision 2030.
Addressing thousands of pilgrims at the 2026 Big Sabbath Service at the Johane Marange Apostolic Church Mafararikwa Shrine in Marange, President Mnangagwa urged religious institutions to mobilise congregants for production, infrastructure development and food security, saying Government and the Church must build the nation together in unity.
He said Manicaland’s performance demonstrates that provinces can deliver tangible growth when they align with national priorities.
“I commend Manicaland Province for the successes you are registering across all sectors. The Province is now ranked number five in terms of its contribution to the overall national GDP,” he said, citing gains in wheat and milk production as well as manufacturing.
The President urged the province to push further into high-value exports, embrace new technology and expand tourism to keep Zimbabwe competitive.
President Mnangagwa told the gathering that development must now be driven household by household, with the church leading mobilisation.
“Our nation is marching on to Vision 2030. I challenge the Church to make loud its voice and encourage hard-honest work, production and productivity in all sectors, as we develop our country,” he said, describing the church as “the light of the country” that must preach the value of work, love and unity.
He commended the Johane Marange Apostolic Church for investments in education, skills training, entrepreneurship, sports and mining, noting that such projects directly grow the economy.
“The many empowerment projects you have undertaken demonstrates how your church contributes towards the growth of our economy. Well done,” he said, calling on the church to ensure congregants participate in Government empowerment programmes and are not left behind.
Turning to agriculture, President Mnangagwa urged farmers to prepare for a possible El Niño-induced drought and to prioritise traditional grains. He assured the nation that “under our ZANU PF-led Government, no one and no place will be left behind.”
He also called for increased participation in the construction of roads, schools and health centres, and for the mining of God-given resources to modernise the country.
The President linked development to faith and unity, quoting scripture and saying Zimbabwe must depend on God “in building, modernising and industrialising our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe, brick by brick and stone upon stone.”
