The role of churches in the struggle for independence

Mashudu Netsianda, Deputy News Editor

THE first missionaries to evangelise in Zimbabwe came under the umbrella of the London Missionary Society (LMS), which then established a mission at Inyathi in Bubi District, Matabeleland North in 1859.

While the pioneer missionary, Reverend Robert Moffat of LMS requested permission from Ndebele King Mzilikazi to establish a mission station in his kingdom, he was certainly tied to the scheme of the white settlers’ political agenda to dominate politics in southern Rhodesia.

King Mzilikazi, suspicious of the white man’s intentions, gave them permission to set the mission in the then remote Inyathi, now the country’s oldest mission.

Rev Moffat was the first European to visit King Mzilikazi in Matabeleland in 1854 where the Ndebele had settled in 1840.

The pioneer missionary had moved to the Ndebele State in an effort to avoid Trekboers with whom he had unsuccessful clashes in the Transvaal.

Later, he helped to found a permanent LMS mission among the Ndebele between 1859 and 1860.
King Mzilikazi consented to Moffat and the LMS entering his kingdom on condition that they did not engage in religious activities.

He had hoped to use them as agents for trade with traders from South Africa.
The LMS established its mission station at Inyathi, a stone’s throw from Emhlangeni so that King Mzilikazi could keep a close eye on their activities.

The LMS later became a seedbed for Zapu, a nationalist movement led by the late Vice-President Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo.

While the church as a body contributed to the country’s struggle for independence, it also had its bad side as blacks were not given enough room to worship freely during the colonial era.

The evident behaviour of the dominant class led by Mr Ian Smith’s Rhodesian Front government was to perpetuate a policy of overt racial division, which was also exhibited in churches.

Emeritus pastor of the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa, formerly LMS, Rev Christopher Sibanda said the Rhodesian government promoted racial segregation in churches, which were also considered to be more of a political force than religious organisations.

“During the Rhodesian era, worshipping was difficult because of the policies at the time. I remember I once ministered at our church branch in the city centre in Bulawayo and we would worship with whites, but would not mix,” he said.

“There was a separate row of benches for black and white people and most of the blacks who attended services in town were domestic workers joining with their bosses.”

Rev Sibanda said each time, blacks congregated for religious purposes, Rhodesian police would disperse them.

He said blacks were not free to worship hence the country’s independence on April 18, 1980, did not only bring political freedom, but also freedom of worship.

“We were also treated with suspicion as the Rhodesian government always had this mentality that blacks always gathered for political reasons. In fact, the government of Ian Smith closely monitored blacks’ movement such even our gatherings had limited numbers,” said Rev Sibanda.

He said priests were frequently told that their duty was to preach the gospel and not meddle in politics.
“When you compare the way we used to worship during the colonial era and today there is a big difference because we are now worshipping freely,” said Rev Sibanda.

Rev Margaret James of the Methodist Church said during the colonial era, tensions among church members were high as the church’s empathy for the nationalist cause to liberate the country stimulated strong resentment among white congregations as well as the government.

“I was accepted as a Methodist Church minister in 1977, and at the time there were tensions between some of our members who were among the freedom fighters and those who opted to remain in the country,” she said.

“One of the problems occurred at Thekwane Mission because it is so close to the border and we had some students who crossed to Botswana to join the liberation struggle.”

Rev James said as a church, they tried to integrate as blacks and whites congregants, but the Rhodesian government policies were against that as they favoured racial segregation.

Rev Partson Magalela of the Apostolic Faith Mission of Africa said because of the repressive colonial laws, black ministers were not allowed to register churches under their names.

“In our case, when the founder of our church, Rev Morgan Sengwayo formed the organisation in 1955, he had to affiliate it to the Apostolic Faith Church of Portland Oregon, which is based in the United States of America. This was because the laws at the time did not allow a black person to open or register a church.”

Rev Magalela said since the country attained independence, most indigenous churches were established.

He said liberation war leaders such as the late Vice-President Dr Joshua Nkomo used to visit their church in Pelandaba suburb in Bulawayo to worship with the majority blacks way back in the 1960s during the church’s formative years.

Rev Sengwayo’s daughter, Mrs Seldom Tshiwilowilo said her father and Dr Nkomo shared a common vision of seeing an independent Zimbabwe.

Mrs Tshiwilowilo said on many occasions her father would be detained by Rhodesian police for openly supporting and feeding freedom fighters.

“I remember one day as we were preparing to go to church, police came to our home in a truck and they took away our father. His crime was that he supported and fed those who were fighting for our freedom in the bush,” she said.

“Police detained him on many occasions because young men would come to our home hungry and we would give them food and water to drink among other needs.”

During the liberation struggle, the church under the leadership of Rev Sengwayo played a critical role in terms of supporting the Zipra freedom fighters.

The churches’ entry into politics came largely with their opposition to the 1969 Rhodesian Constitution that entrenched white rule and further strengthened segregation.

The Land Tenure Act, introduced at the same time as the new constitution, made it illegal for either race to enter another’s area without applying for permission from the government.

The churches refused to register under the new act or apply for permits to hold land and threatened to close down their schools and hospitals.

After months of argument, they forced a concession from the government; an amendment was issued without the churches needing to apply.

Even the Anglicans and Methodists, with larger white congregations and fewer ties in the vast rural areas, were prepared to join in condemning government policies. Methodist leader Bishop Abel Muzorewa urged Africans to set their sights high, warning against apathy and despair, advising them to fight for their political rights.

Addressing Roman Catholic Church congregants during the centenary celebrations of St Joseph parish in Kezi, Matobo District in Matabeleland South recently, President Mnangagwa hailed the church for its role during the country’s protracted liberation struggle and post-independence.

He said during the country’s protracted liberation struggle, Catholic Missions, together with other communities across the country became the proverbial “water’ in facilitating and assisting freedom fighters.

St Joseph Mission was one of the spiritual beacons of freedom fighters. President Mnangagwa also said constitutionally enshrined freedom of religion will be protected and guaranteed under his administration.