via Witchcraft should co-exist with Christianity: Senator – NewsDay Zimbabwe April 11, 2016
OPPOSITION MDC-T legislator last Thursday said she was going to lobby Parliament to allow witchcraft to co-exist with Christian beliefs, claiming Christians had a tendency of looking down upon traditional beliefs including sorcery.
BY VENERANDA LANGA
Matabeleland South senator Sithembile Mlotshwa asked Rural Development and Heritage minister Abednigo Ncube to explain measures being taken by his ministry to defend traditional religion as part of preservation of culture.
Mlotshwa has in the past raised a lot of controversial issues in the Senate, like the introduction of sex toys in prisons, and that couples must have sex once a month.
“When we look at the Constitution, it says Zimbabwe is a Christian country, but we also have our culture which we need to preserve,” Mlotshwa said.
“However, looking at musical programmes on State broadcaster ZTV, Christians are shown performing songs that look down on the work of traditional healers and call it diabolic, yet that is the traditional culture of Zimbabwe and should not be viewed as diabolic.”
In response, Ncube said the country allowed for freedom of worship.
“The Constitution says there is freedom of worship and if you want to follow the traditional type of worship, it is up to you. If you want to follow Christianity or any other religion, you are free to do so. If you choose to play drums or traditional cultural dances, it is entirely up to you as Zimbabwe is a democratic country and a free country which believes in the conscience of individuals,” he responded.
Mlotshwa said there was need for co-existence of religions, adding the ministry must ensure that Christians and those that practice witchcraft co-exist because traditional religion was allowed.
Mashonaland West senator Tapera Machingaifa (Zanu PF) also asked Primary and Secondary Education Minister Lazarus Dokora if it were possible for parents to go to schools to train their children traditional dances in preservation of culture.
“I am not a racist or a tribalist, but is it possible for parents to go to schools and train children traditional dances? In my constituency, children are being taught a dance called ‘chinyamusasure’ and Mhondoro music.
“Children should be taught traditional dances that obtain in their constituencies. In some constituencies there is Mbakumba dances while in Mashonaland Central there is Jerusarema,” Machingaifa said.
Dokora said the new curriculum will include cultural dances, especially in infant and grade two schools where children will be taught performing arts, by their teachers, and even parents from their areas of residence.
COMMENTS
This MDC women is so stupid, she wants to change the law Of God. Witchcraft is against the bible and this nut wants witchcraft to co-exists with Christianity. I have never heard such rubbish from a member of parliament. MDC better expel her if you want a chance. Stupid people shouldn’t be allowed into parliament. This women should create her own religion.
I am perplexed by what the MP is trying to say by allowing ‘witchcraft’ to be practised alongside ‘Christianity’.
Christianity has Jesus as its head, could she publicly tell us the head of the witchcraft religion and what its practice in Zimbabwe entails and why she wants Zimbabweans to accept it.
This Lady, I am afraid has no idea what she is talking about and I guess we need to forgive her for that. It is clear that Christianity and witchcraft can never ever “co-exist” in the way that they work together as the spiritual leaders are diametrically opposed as one is Christ and the other of course is satan, so never the twain shall meet except in cataclysmic conflict. Of course Christianity has existed in the country as with witchcraft, but to call for their getting together to coexist is beyond stupid, and it would be good of someone to take this lady aside and give her a quick lesson on some facts. Pray tell what is this woman doing as an MDC legislator? Surely she is in waaaay over her head?
There is no religion called Witchcraft. Such ignorance either on the part of the writer or the M.P is surely not expected. People practice whatever religion they choose to and African Christians still hold on to the good values of their African culture. Witchcraft is even considered an evil in ATR.
Zihlobo If witchcraft is not a religion the what is it? Why don’t you google it? You will find that it is the worship of satan. It most certainly is a religion.
This article (and the responses) shows how brainwashed we Africans are – the heading screams “witchcraft” yet nothing of the sort is mentioned in the article itself. In fact the quoted people talk of “traditional culture” and “traditional religion” both of which are not “witchcraft”. Jesus himself teaches us to keep the good and throw away the bad, not to forsake ourselves. Belief in God is not Christian, it is universal – it is part and parcel of our traditional culture which culture also strongly condemns witchcraft – who takes pride in being referred to as “muroyi”? Evil must be fought whether it is racial prejudice, religious fundamentalism or downright crime. Is this not Jesus’s message?
My God! Someone watches ZTV!
Thanks a lot Mazano for setting the record straight. The reporter appears to give the impression that Traditional religion and Witchcraft are the same and yet the two are very different. The Honorable Minister’s speech is about Traditional religion and not witchcraft.The Pastors and the High Priests preach to us that our Traditional religions are evil and in our naivety we believe them while we become gullible to their own many evil intentions too. I support her that Traditional religion is very critical to keep and revive so it flourishes. Our many challenges today can be associated with the disconnection from it and embracing civilisation with its attendant religions like Islam and Christianity which appear to feel that these are the only forms of acknoledging the Transcendent Power. ….Christianity is not the only way neither is it the best way tp pray
Are there no important issues that merit discussion in parliament? Why not talk about issues that improve people’s livelihood. There is drought, economic problems, political problems, education problems, job creation problems, health and environmental problems and many other issues that parliament could spend their time on. Please be serious guys!