Online Reporter
Samuel Kadungure
News Editor
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa this afternoon handed over an offer letter for an additional 50 hectares of land to the Apostolic Faith Mission in Zimbabwe, adjacent to the Rufaro Conference Centre in Chatsworth, Gutu, for the development of the church’s first university.
President Mnangagwa was represented by ZANU PF national chairman and Defence Minister, Honourable Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, who also commissioned a clinic built by the AFM Young People’s Union with financial assistance from businessman and Senator, Dr Kudakwashe Tagwirei.
The clinic at Rufaro High School will serve at least 6 000 residents in the Chatsworth area, reducing the walking distance to access universal healthcare to the recommended five kilometres.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri formally handed the land offer letter to AFM in Zimbabwe president, Dr Amon Dubie Madawo.
She said the church has a critical role in national development and the attainment of Vision 2030, hailing the AFM’s contribution to health and education.
Dr Madawo thanked Government for creating a conducive environment for churches to partner in nation building.
“Your Government has created a conducive environment for churches to operate in Zimbabwe and partner with it in building the nation. AFM in Zimbabwe occupies a significant position within the religious landscape and continues to play an influential role in shaping moral values, family stability, youth development and community transformation. Through our extensive national presence, the church serves an important role in mobilising communities towards productive citizenship, social responsibility, peace building and national development,” said Dr Madawo.
Dr Madawo said the AFM in Zimbabwe has entrenched itself in national development through investments in education, health, social welfare, skills development and community empowerment.
The church runs 24 schools across seven provinces and plans to establish schools in every province. It also operates clinics, the Manhinga Children’s Home in Manicaland, vocational training centres and various community development programmes.
He appealed for support for a state-of-the-art Science laboratory, fisheries and agricultural projects at Rufaro High School, as well as equipment, instructors and scholarships for vocational centres.
He confirmed the university will be built on the allocated land and requested additional commercial boreholes for the conference centre and the tarring of the road from the Gutu turn-off.
Dr Madawo described the annual spiritual conference as a platform for renewal, fellowship and prayer for the nation and Government, stressing that AFM in Zimbabwe is non-partisan, spiritual, evangelical and Pentecostal.
“Our approach is non-political, very spiritual, evangelical and Pentecostal. We complement the efforts of Government in nation building and community development,” he said, citing Romans 13 and 1 Timothy 2:1-3.
Present were Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Ezra Chadzamira, senior Government officials, Chief Serima and other traditional leaders.
