Source: Show love and care to returnees: President urges churches – herald
Wallace Ruzvidzo in MVUMA
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has implored churches to continue spreading the message of love and care for returnees from South Africa.
In a speech read on his behalf by Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri to thousands of Johane the 5th of Africa International Church Annual Convention here yesterday, the President emphasised the need to welcome those returning from abroad with warmth and kindness.
“As we implement the reintegration plan for the returnees, the Church must continue to preach the word of hospitality, love and care for one another. Let us continue to welcome our fellow brothers and citizens from the diaspora,” he said.
To reinforce his call, President Mnangagwa quoted extensively from the scriptures.
“Romans 12 verses 9-13, says ‘Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil, cling to what is good, be devoted to one another in love . . . Never lack in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord . . . Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.’ In addition, 1st Peter 4:9-10 also says, and I quote, ‘Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms,” he said.
Since the exercise began on May 28 to support citizens affected by anti-migrant protests in South Africa, Government has repatriated more than 21 000 Zimbabweans, while an estimated 56 832 others have returned through self-repatriation arrangements.
President Mnangagwa commended the church’s ideology for aligning with the Pan-African socio-economic pillars of liberation, independence, self-determination, sovereignty and integrity.
“Let us continue to stand firm and proclaim never again to be constrained by the yoke of colonial bondage. In doing so, I challenge the Presiding Archbishop and the church leadership at large to speed up the implementation of the plans for empowering the youth and women,” he said.
“Local entrepreneurship, wealth creation and economic emancipation, as well as prosperity driven by our own people, is the last frontier which we must harness towards complete independence, unity and integration of the African peoples.”
He implored the church to continue rolling out empowerment initiatives.
“Proverbs 14 verse 23 says, ‘All hard work brings profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.’ Let us all put our hands on the deck, create value in our crops, livestock, goods, services, business and families. I commend you for setting up Ruvheneko Trust, which is empowering women and the youth with skills, providing start-up kits, scholarships and business mentorship,” he said.
When women and youths are empowered, families and the nation are assured of a brighter future, the President said. “This is what Vision 2030 demands of us — Production and productivity, across all sectors of the economy, from the household level, village by village, ward by ward and district by district
“In His sovereign will, the Almighty created us to work, gifted us to produce and called us to be fruitful and multiply. We must, therefore, pursue scalable and lucrative ventures. Iwe neni tose tine basa (You and me have work to do,” he said.
President Mnangagwa also commended the church, which has since established branches in Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, the United Kingdom and the United States, for expanding its work within and beyond the African continent.
The accelerated implementation of National Development Strategy 2, he added, signified the Second Republic’s resolve towards improving Zimbabweans’ quality of life.
“Under the Second Republic’s devolution and decentralisation agenda, we are reversing lop-sided development. Each village, ward and district must be developed by those belonging to that area, leveraging our God-given natural resource endowments,” said the President.
He said the country was looking forward to yet another bumper winter wheat harvest.
“This will go a long way towards securing national food security and sovereignty.
“Going forward, as we prepare for the 2026/ 2027 summer cropping season, let us stay guided by the assurance of the Almighty God, in John 14 verses 13 to 14, which says, and I quote,
“‘And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
“You may ask me for anything in my name and I will do it.’
“We have the confidence that if we approach the Almighty, He (will) act on our petitions.
“Through praying and interceding for our country Zimbabwe, we must ask for blessings over our country and for the adequate rains, so that we till our land and continue to have the food to feed the nation,” he said.
The Government welcomed the role which the church plays as a critical, strategic and dependable development partner.
“On the social front your prayers sustain and uplift communities. The moral discipline you promote through the pulpit, builds families and societies, while entrenching peace, unity and social cohesion.”
The President also highlighted that the Second Republic was deeply concerned by the surge in violent crimes including murder cases.
He urged the justice delivery system to deal decisively with the scourge.
“The right to life is overarching in the Bill of Rights set out in our national Constitution … Law-enforcement agencies and stakeholders in the justice system, including our competent courts, must deal decisively with perpetrators of such and other crimes.
“To the church, prophetic and elders council of Johane the Fifth of Africa in general and the Presiding Archbishop Andby Makururu in particular, I call upon you to remain vigilant.
“Pray for peace, unity and development, for the rains, for us leaders in Government and pray for the prosperity and success of our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe,” said the President.
The ZANU PF-led Government and the church, he said, would continue to fellowship together, remain united and inspired towards realising national development aspirations.
“May the season of prayer ignite production and high-impact results, anchored on innovation, hard-honest work and greater collaboration across all sectors,” said President Mnangagwa.
Archbishop Dr Andby Makururu congratulated President Mnangagwa and his Government for the passing and subsequent gazette of the Constitutional Amendment Act Number 3.
He also commended Government for ensuring that the repatriation exercise of those coming from South Africa is seamless for both Zimbabweans and those in transit to their respective countries.
Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri was accompanied by several senior Government and ZANU PF officials.
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