Tendai Keith Guvamombe
The Founder and President of Destiny for Afrika Network, Dr. Rev. Obedia Musindo, has applauded the indigenous churches for championing developmental programmes benefiting local communities and church members—a move seen to complement Vision 2030. Dr. Musindo’s excitement comes at a time when President of Zimbabwe Dr. Emmerson D. Mnangagwa recently launched the ambitious NDS2 (National Development Strategy 2)—a transitional blueprint towards the attainment of Vision 2030.
Dr. Musindo’s satisfaction stems from the fact that indigenous churches such as Johane Marange and Zion Christian Church (ZCC) are actively walking the talk in advancing the national vision, hence their immense contributions must receive multiple appraisals. Formerly, the Johane Marange among other sects were labelled as backward and uncivilized, a position tainted with stereotyping in society.
Defying Stigma : Marange’s Transformation
Speaking to journalists in Harare on Tuesday, Dr. Musindo reiterated his full recognition of strides made at the Marange Apostolic Sect, which include the abolition of child marriages and the initiation of developmental projects—a move that has shaped a new era for Zionists and Apostolic Churches in the country.
Dr. Musindo recalled personally working with the Marange Apostolic Sect, where he observed transformative developments ushered in as a result of strong collaboration between the Church and the government.
Musindo concluded that the churches’ central role in the national development agenda is undeniable:
“His church is producing many successful young business people who are developing towards national development. This is how vision 2030 can be fulfilled. Bishop Mutendi is doing a lot of developmental activities in almost every sector of the economy. We have seen politicians in the cabinet from his church, he is playing a major role in the development of the province of Masvingo/Midlands. If you go to places such as Gokwe and Hurungwe he has been developing schools. People of these churches are citizens of this country. Who ever is empowering these people is complementing efforts of the government in developing the nation.”
“We need to thank indigenous apostolic church Leaders for outstanding development programmes for example Johane Marange Church. In the past people used to look upon down Johan Marange Sect Members but there was a religious stigma where people used to look upon down apostolic church leaders. They were seen as people without vision, order, being looked down upon.”
Musindo recalled the genesis of development projects envisioned by the late Mutumwa Noah Taguta through Shumba Charumbira, the church agent to the Government. Charumbira spearheaded developments working with Former President Robert Mugabe’s Government and today closely works with the current President Dr. Mnangagwa.
“I have worked closely with Johane Marange, the transformation took place at that church with a team that was being led by a guy called Shumba who was assigned to spearhead development by the late Mutumwa Noah Taguta to approach government as a way to cause development to the church during the days of Robert Gabriel Mugabe. It is during that time when he was leading the team to engage to come up with proposals and projects for the church that were meant to economically empower the church members.”
The former president was engaged and also the current president was engaged.
“He established the relationship between the church, government, and even UNICEF. There were things that were unacceptable in the Church that were later accepted by the Church. Some people were so negative with those churches… We saw the government of Zimbabwe under the leadership of the former President and the current President working with the church and developmental projects were born and the late High Priest Mutumwa Noah became the highest farmer. He then inculcated the culture into the church. This includes Shumba Charumbira who has become a successful farmer and business entrepreneur.”
Education, Infrastructure, and Future Vision
According to Rev. Musindo, today the Marange Sect now boasts having best schools in Manicaland, being exceptionally honoured for academic endeavours.
“He worked together with Mutumwa Noah. But the road was not easy. Their holy shrine in Marange the whole area is now well developed, especially Solar systems, water and many other infrastructure. The facilities caters for thousands of people who converges an annual basis. As an agent of the high priest Shumba worked with Ministry of Health during cholera days to meet health guidelines and as a church they were able to meet health standards.”
In a surprise turn of events, successful business entrepreneurs and young vibrant graduates are coming from Marange.
“Through the same initiatives several girls went to schools and universities. Several young people from the Marange Sect are graduating and heading their own businesses. Today they boast of having a stadium with the assistance of the government. They now have schools winning several awards as best schools in Manicaland. St Noah established schools and today St Nimrod is fulfilling construction of more than 100 schools benefiting their communities and members.”
The foundation laid by the church leadership will see the culmination of something big going into the future:
“Very soon under the current leader you will see establishment of technical colleges, vocational training centres. Eventually you will see culmination of the establishment of a university. This is something that should be uploaded.”
Musindo strongly reinforced the social strides:
“Under the leadership of Mutumwa Noah, Child marriages were banned. They must be uploaded. People used to look at these people with condemnation. The current high Priest of JohaneMarange should be uploaded for their current target of building about 65 schools. I urge Donor community even the UN, especially UNICEF to come in full force and support these developmental initiatives by Johane Marange Church.”
ZCC: A Firebrand for Progress
Dr. Reverend Musindo also took a moment to reflect on the immense contributions by Arch Bishop Mutendi of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC), which has become a firebrand Faith Based Organization advancing progress in all areas of development.
“Secondly I applaud the developments of Arch Bishop Mutendi in the fulfillment of Samuel Mutendi especially prophetic declarations. Arch Bishop Mutendi has been for years establishing schools and he must be uploaded for that. That’s an outstanding contribution for the development of the nation.”
” If you go around the country especially in Harare we have seen state of the Art Schools. We have seen many Zion girls filling up Universities. The church is producing highly successful entrepreneurs. Other indeginous churches must emulate what Mutendi is doing. He is a successful farmer. They have inculcated the culture of discipline and hard working in his church. Being organized in his church.”
