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Flora Fadzai Sibanda, Chronicle Reporter
BULAWAYO residents in suburbs such as Mpopoma, Pelandaba, Njube, Magwegwe and Lobengula among others have turned their houses into “semi-hotels and lodges” targeting congregants from various Apostolic Faith Church groups which have gathered in the city for their annual camp meetings.
The original Apostolic Faith Church, which is headquartered in Pelandaba suburb, was founded by the late Rev Morgan Sengwayo in 1955. The church had a large following in the entire Sadc region before it was rocked by divisions and factional fights that resulted in splinter groups.
Rev Sengwayo’s son, Freedom who is also late, was a renowned religious figure and a gospel musician. He was also one of the country’s pioneer gospel singers famed for his anti-apartheid hit song Thula Sizwe, which was composed in the early 1970s.
The rival groups are holding separate camp meetings in different venues in Pelandaba, Mpopoma and Lobengula Extension suburbs.
Residents in Mpopoma are making a killing by renting out their houses to the group that has congregated at Nkulumane Primary School in the suburb until New Year’s Day.
Residents who spoke to the Chronicle news crew said they are charging the congregants between US$25 and US$30 per head for the duration of their stay.
Mrs Sipho Ngulube said she has rented out two of her rooms and raked in US$280 from the eight guests occupying the house.
“Every year during this time of the year, I make money by renting out some of the rooms in my house to these congregants from the Sengwayo Church. This year, I managed to retain the same people who came for the church meeting last year,” she said.
“I charged them US$30 per head for accommodation and an additional US$40 for electricity and water.”
Mrs Ngulube said given the prevailing water challenges in the city, she is forced to buy water in bulk.
Mr Zibusiso Dube said he has rented out the entire house to the congregants for the duration of the camp meeting.
“I rented my six-roomed house and the money will help me pay school fees for my children next year when schools reopen,” he said.
Mr Dube said some of the congregants are using the kitchen while others sleep in the lounge.
Mrs Angela Ncube said she was a bit sceptical of strangers in her house until a neighbour convinced her to accommodate the congregants.
“Although I was initially hesitant to host these congregants, I am realising this is good business. I am already looking forward to hosting these people next year,” she said.
Mrs Sihle Ncube of Njube said she is also renting out her two rooms.
“For us, these camp meetings are like manna from Heaven because this is the only opportunity for us as residents to make money. As far as I am concerned, I now have enough money to spoil my children on Christmas and school fees,” she said.
Some of the congregants are accommodated at nearby schools such as Sizane High School in Pelandaba and Induba Primary School in Iminyela.
One of the congregants, who declined to be named said while rentals are exorbitant, they have no option given that the houses are close to their campgrounds.
“The only challenge is that we are a group of fragmented factions despite all of us being the children of Sengwayo, the founder of the church. Had it been that we were united, it was going to be easier for us to mobilise funds and build accommodation units for use during camp meetings,” said the congregant. — @flora_sibanda
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