United Church of Christ in Zim elects new leadership

Freedom Mutanda
UNITED Church of Christ in Zimbabwe has elected a new leadership with Reverend Ephraim Ngadziore retained his presidency, while his former deputy, Reverend Godfrey Dhundu fell by the wayside.

The elections were held on April 23 at Mabelreign High School in Harare.

UCCZ has its roots in Chipinge where the American Board Mission established its mission way back in 1893 and went on to found hospitals and missions in the eastern district. Chikore, Mount Selinda, Beacon Hill, Chinaa and Emerald are some of the schools whose responsible authority is UCCZ. It also has several farms in the district.

In the months leading to the elective meeting, the church was clearly divided as it sought to exorcise the ghost of the Mt Selinda High School saga that threatened to make the former a must attend school into the dust bin of academic excellence owing to the dispute between the church and the school.

A total of 176 delegates from all circuits all over Zimbabwe congregated at Mabelreign High School to elect a new leadership. The delegates included the women section, Ruwadzano, Christian Youth Fellowship, volunteers, heads of church schools, hospitals and farm managers.

The Manica Post caught up with Rev Godfrey Dhundu, the losing candidate, who said he was hopeful that the church would move forward as the election season was over.

Rev Ephraim Ngadziore was unavailable for comment at the time of going to print.

‘’I am glad democracy was at play and it came out the winner. Congratulations to Rev Ngadziore. I hope to contribute towards the forward movement of UCCZ,’’ he said.

A UCCZ youth leader, Mr Thomas Maduku, said the ushering in of a new leadership was good for the church. He added that the fact that Rev Ngadziore was retained allows him to finish his plans.

‘’It is a good thing that Rev Ngadziore has been retained by the assemblies. It allows him to finish off his programmes and the church as a whole will be the winner,’’ he said in a telephone interview.

The full executive is as follows, Rev Ngadziore (president), Rev John Matiza (vice-president), Mr Philemon Mlambo (moderator), Mr Needmore Maposa (secretary), Mrs Esther Pepani Mhlanga (vice-secretary), Mr Albert Nduna (treasurer), MRs Grace Mushoperi (vice-treasurer) and Mr Peter Jack (auditor).