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George Maponga, Masvingo Bureau
The Second Republic will continue to deepen its relations with churches towards Vision 2030 and will avail resources for self-help projects to empower communities, Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira has said.
As such, the Government donated 300 hectares of land near Muzhwi Dam in Chivi district to the Seventh Day Adventist Church Central Union Conference for income-generating projects, including agriculture for the benefit of its members.
The donation was announced during the church’s two-day conference organised by the Adventist-Laymen’s Services and Industries at Masvingo Showgrounds.
Hundreds of the Adventist Church’s followers from the Central Union Conference, that stretches from Gokwe in Midlands to Sango Border Post in south eastern Masvingo, extending to Beitbridge district, attended the conference.
The conference was held under the theme: “Empowered for a mission.” Senior Government leaders, among them Minister of State for Presidential Affairs in the Office of the President and Cabinet Lovemore Matuke, joined conference leaders at the gathering.
Businessman and philanthropist Mr Kuda Tagwirei, who is a member of the church, was also present.
In his address, Minister Chadzamira paid tribute to the Seventh Day Adventist Church for implementing and rolling out projects and initiatives that improved lives of the ordinary people, which he said was a harbinger for speedy attainment of Vision 2030 targets.
The Minister praised the church, saying the Government leadership in Masvingo had seen fit to donate land to the church to help it consolidate its drive to empower members.
“As Government we have seen it fit to donate to you 300ha of land near Muzhwi Dam so that you can use it to undertake various projects of your choice that will further uplift the lives of ordinary people in your church and surrounding communities. We hope to see in the near future the land that we have donated to the church having been transformed by various projects that your church is going to undertake,” said Minister Chadzamira.
He reiterated Government commitment to continue working closely with churches to spearhead socio-economic development and propel Zimbabwe into an upper middle-income society.
Muzhwi Dam is one of the biggest and most underused dams in Chivi and the donation of land to the SDA Church should help create a greenbelt in northern parts of the district via irrigation to curb perennial food shortages caused by recurrent droughts.
Minister Chadzamira also thanked the church for helping the Government in its quest to lift the generality of Zimbabweans out of poverty. He credited the church for rolling out initiatives that are in sync with the President’s mantra of leaving no one and no place behind.
As a result, added Minister Chadzamira, the Seventh Day Adventists deserved plaudits as they had founded arms like ASI, where businesspeople in the church pooled resources to help the underprivileged and vulnerable within the church.
Minister Chadzamira urged other churches in the country to take a cue from the Adventists and develop a culture and initiatives of assisting the vulnerable.
ASI, which is led by prominent businessman, Mr Sternly Kondongwe, awarded certificates and cash prizes totalling nearly ZiG37 000 to 10 church members who were adjudged to have excelled in income generating projects.
They were part of the beneficiaries of a US$450 000 revolving fund set up by Mr Tagwirei and his wife Sandra, who are the founders of the Bridging the Gap Foundation to uplift members of the church’s Central Union.
Bridging Gaps Foundation in partnership with ASI on Saturday also donated 60 tonnes of mealie-meal, two tonnes of sugar beans and 12 000 litres of cooking oil to followers who are over 60 years of age.
The businessman and philanthropist re-affirmed his commitment to continue working tirelessly and make sure the gap between the rich and the poor was narrowed.
The event was attended by prominent business leaders from the Seventh Day Adventist Church who included Mr Obey Chimuka of Fossil Holdings, Mr Kondongwe of Byword Investments, Gumisai Dengure of Denjay Trucking and Justin Gumbochuma of Platinum Events.
Music was provided by The Vine band led by gospel musician Everton Mlalazi.
Online Reporter