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Tendai H. Manzvanzvike
Zimpapers Knowledge Centre Head
As the nation prepares to lay to rest another illustrious son of the soil — centenarian, cleric, academic, and founder of Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Africa (ZAOGA) Forward in Faith Ministries International — Archbishop (Professor) Ezekiel Handinawangu Guti, we cannot help but realise how significant the month of August 2023 is on the Zimbabwean calendar.
August is a month set aside to commemorate and salute the men and women that sacrificed all in order for Zimbabwe to gain full independence and sovereignty.
The journey to State House was not an easy, and remains arduous and this is a reminder to all as the nation commemorates the 43rd anniversary of the National Heroes and Defence Forces days, on August 14 and 15.
Baba Guti, as he was affectionately called by his legion of congregants was conferred with national hero status by President Emerson Mnangagwa.
He lived a full life that impacted millions of lives in Zimbabwe and across all the six continents globally, despite his humble upbringing.
His life encapsulates the ideals of the Second Republic, which through the economic development mantra: “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo/A country is developed or built by its own people,” brick by brick, is basking under the glory of massive growth and development projects. It includes dams, irrigation schemes, schools, clinics, roads construction or refurbishment, housing, communication infrastructure, airport refurbishment, communication infrastructure, etc.
Subsequently, Zimbabweans head to the polls on August 23 to choose future leaders in the harmonised election, where it is hoped that notwithstanding the imposition of illegal economic sanctions by the United States of America and its allies, like the Second Republic has demonstrated, it will still be possible for Zimbabweans to be unite and carry through this gargantuan task to completion.
The meaning of his name, Handinawangu, which means, “You have no people of your own. You love everybody”, is being realised the world over. He was a man who believed in servant leadership — also a major trait of President Mnangagwa.
At the genesis of his preaching in Highfield, in 1949, “many doors were closed to him, but he would preach wherever and whenever he could”, just like the freedom fighters who were received with trepidation by some villagers, but that did not deter their goal of freeing Zimbabwe.
According to his biographer Gayle D. Erwin, “At night, he would walk to preaching spots out in the country.
Often these were tense walks through unfamiliar paths facing unknown dangers. In these tense moments, the God who called him did not forget him. Sometimes, God would miraculously light the path for him as he journeyed. So, he kept walking — in the light! … Many evenings and almost all weekends would find his feet on an old familiar path or a new one as he fulfilled his call.”
It’s as if you are reading the “Chimurenga Chronicles” in The Sunday Mail, for those heroes interred at the National Heroes Acre had similar experiences as they walked into “Gonawapotera” (Rhodesia — no go area), from neighbouring countries.
At one point, he was not allowed to preach in churches because he was not ordained or he was supposed to preach under supervision from whites, who thought that the Word of God was for them alone.
Archbishop Guti joins a host of other heroes who were not directly involved in the liberation struggle, although spreading the Word of God had its own challenges.
If you read his biography “The African Apostle” you’ll understand what I am referring to, but he was a man of faith, who understood that if God’s will was not for him to evangelise in the United States, then He would also pay the bill.
According to his biographer, in the early years of his ministry, racism was rife in the then Rhodesia. There were threatening questions as whites asked about “your cheeky black preacher.” Questions abounded on “who owned Guti.”
The major issue though is that by declaring hero status to many: artists and clerics, the Second Republic is partly answering Oliver Mtukudzi’s question in the song, “What is a hero?” although he was declared national hero in January 2019.
Tuku asks a poignant question, which still begs answers: “Do you have to die to be a hero?”
Most people agree with Mtukudzi that the likes of Safirio Madzikatire (Mukadota) should have been declared national heroes, but even before his death, Mukadota was a household name (hero), depending on how you define national hero.
The Second Republic also conferred national hero status on academics like Prof Sheunesu Mupepereki and George Kahari who as nationalists, were not trained fighters.
It also revisited the heroic status of nationalists like Cdes Ndabaningi Sithole (Zanu’s first president), and James Dambaza Chikerema — a nationalist of note.
However, observers this writer has been speaking with are saying, “How about Cde Chinx?” who fought in the Second Chimurenga and was a major voice during the land reform programme?
They argue that it is a misnomer that while the remains of his ancestor — Chief Chingaira remain held on to by the former coloniser Britain, the best that Government can do for the Chingaira dynasty, is to declare the freedom fighter-cum-musician national hero status.
The resurgence of “lest we forget” mentality has seen the Second Republic doing a very important thing: holding more musical galas to honour the dearly departed heroes in every province the President would have addressed a star rally.
So far galas in honour of Reverend Ndabaningi Sithole, Cdes Simon Vengai Muzenda, Joseph Msika, John Nkomo and Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo have already been held.
As we say “rest in eternal peace God’s General”, we will not forget your legacy: faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, love for development in education, vocational training, healthcare services, philanthropy, Pan-Africanism and love for God’s people.
Archbishop Guti’s 1957 prayer for Africa means so much at a time when the 1,3 billion citizens of the continent are wondering whether a second “Berlin Conference” is taking place again as imperialists’ desire to rob it of its rich mineral resources are written all over the wall:
“Surely you will not destroy our land before you reveal yourself with great power and miracles. Will you not lighten your judgement on Africa? In our country many crippled and blind have never been healed for the glory and exaltation of your name, Lord… Lord, let me stand in the gap before you for my country so that you will not destroy it…”
This fulfils part of the mantra: “Nyika inonamatirwa nevene vayo!” (Citizens pray for their own country).
Online Reporter