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Cletus Mushanawani
News Editor
THE Gospel of God Church International (Johane Masowe)’s black empowerment policies dovetail with Government’s self-sustenance economic policies and should be supported by all, President Mnangagwa has said.
Speaking to thousands of the church’s pilgrims who were gathered at the church’s Gandanzara Shrine in Makoni District last Saturday, the President said the time had come for all Africans to be economically emancipated and benefit from their vast natural resources.
“We have heard preachers here saying time will come when the descendants of Kush will be totally emancipated. Those who oppress them will be dethroned forever and that is now being fulfilled as we continue saying nyika inovakwa nevene vayo, igotongwa nevene vayo.
“The suffering of the Israelites in Egypt and their subsequent march to Canaan was a fulfilment of the prophecies and the same happened in Zimbabwe.
“Prophecies also stated that gallant sons and daughters of Zimbabwe would take up arms and join the liberation struggle and this came to pass. We are now totally free from colonial bondage.
“Baba Johane (Masowe) was among the few black people who stood up against the colonial masters when it was regarded as taboo to do so in the 1930s. He preached against black oppression,” said President Mnangagwa.
President Mnangagwa said through production, the nation will develop.
“We always say production, production and more production. This is what Baba Johane was always preaching to devotees in this church. Baba Johane encouraged self-employment among his followers and this showed that he truly understood the gospel of empowerment. God will bless the hard workers. He gave man the reign over all creations. God, however, said man will eat from the sweat of his toil.
“The voice of God that spoke to Baba Johane is the voice you should continue listening to. That is what you should continue preaching to multitudes globally. Going forward, let us remain peaceful, respectful, loving and caring towards each other. We should also be there to help the vulnerable members of the community. Blessed are those who hear and understand and those who see and interpret the vision,” said President Mnangagwa.
He added: “There is nowhere it was written in the Bible that you should be poor while on earth. Jesus gave people different talents. The one who received a single talent and did not use it was cursed while the one who used all his talents was blessed by the Lord, so work hard and make money.
“We should work hard to produce enough food – no sweat, no gain. You cannot expect a fruit to walk to your table without producing it and you cannot expect a fish to find its way into your plate without fishing it. You cannot expect meat to find its way into your plate. Idya cheziya! There is no manna from heaven, Rimai!
“We should ensure food security. Those that are not productive should be warned that we will repossess the land. They should be prepared to pave way for those who can produce and feed the nation,” he said.
President Mnangagwa took a swipe at some churches that discourage people from working.
“If you a member of a church that discourages you from working, leave that church. You cannot build the country while sleeping. Ukarota uchivaka nyika Zim on the rise despite sanctions uvete, muka voti ko hope idzi dzabva nepi, nekuti unofanirwa kuvaka nyika wakamuka,” said the President.
Turning to sanctions, President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe will continue forging ahead despite the embargo.
“Zimbabwe will continue developing whether our detractors want that or not. We are an enemy to nobody, but friend to all. I was recently in the United States of America for the United Nations General Assembly and I told them in their own language that with or without sanctions, Zimbabwe will continue developing.
“Zimbabwe is a giant that is now awake and ready to take its position among the fast developing nations,” said President Mnangagwa.
The founding leader of the Gospel of God Church International, Baba Johane was buried at the Gandanzara Shrine and pilgrims gather at the shrine annually to commemorate his birth on October 1.
The day is also observed as the church’s ‘Christmas’.
Baba Johane was born on October 1, 1914 and died in Zambia on September 13, 1973.
His body was repatriated to Zimbabwe and was buried at the Gandanzara Shrine a week later.
Online Reporter