Second Republic to continue partnerships with Church

George Maponga
Masvingo Bureau
The Second Republic will continue to deepen its relationship with the church 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.
As such, Government donated 300 hectares of land near Muzhwi Dam in Chivi district to the Seventh Day Adventist Church (SDA) Central Union Conference to carry various income generating projects, including agriculture for the benefit of its members.

The donation was announced during the church’s two-day conference that was organised by the Adventist-Laymen’s Services and Industries (ASI) at Masvingo Showgrounds.
Hundreds of the SDA church’s followers from the Central Union Conference, that stretches from places like Gokwe in the Midlands province 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”, and senior Government leaders among them Minister of State for Presidential Affairs in the Office of the President and Cabinet Lovemore Matuke, joined SDA Central Union Conference leaders at the gathering.

Businessman and philanthropist Mr Kuda Tagwirei, who is a devout member of the church, also graced the conference.
In his address, Minister Chadzamira paid tribute to the SDA church for implementing and rolling out projects and initiatives that improve 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 it fit to donate land to the SDA to help it consolidate its drive to empower members.
“As Government we have seen it fit to donate to you (SDA Central Union Conference) 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, under President Mnangagwa’s tutelage, 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 underutilised dams in Chivi and the donation of land to the SDA church near the water body augurs well for the drive to create a greenbelt in northern parts of the district via irrigation to curb perennial food shortages caused by recurrent droughts.

Speaking at the same gathering, Minister Matuke also thanked the SDA church for helping the Government in its quest to lift the generality of Zimbabweans out of poverty. He also credited the church for rolling out game changing projects and initiatives that were in sync with the President’s mantra of leaving no one and no place behind.

As a result, added Minister Matuke, the SDA deserved plaudits as it had founded arms like ASI where businesspeople in the church pooled resources to help the underprivileged and vulnerable within the church.

Minister Matuke urged other churches in the country to take a cue from the SDA 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 (BGF) 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,2 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 also attended by prominent business leaders from the SDA Church who included Mr Obey Chimuka of Fossil Holdings, Mr Kondongwe of Byword Investments, Gumisai Dengure of Denjay Trucking, Justin Gumbochuma of Platinum Events amongst many others.
Music was provided by The Vine band led by gospel musician Everton Mlalazi.