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Africa: Africanise Church, Says President
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 Published by the government of Zimbabwe |
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The Herald (Harare)
25 March 2008
Posted to the web 25 March 2008
Harare
President Mugabe has called for the Africanisation of the Church, saying doing so goes a long way to assert the total independence of the country.
Addressing hundreds of members of the Apostolic Faith Church of Africa in Lobengula Extension in Bulawayo on Sunday, the President said there was need for indigenous influence to penetrate all facets of life, including the Church.
"Independence means power has come to the indigenous people of the country. In every area we should show that we could exercise that power.
"Our people must be able to head, even the old churches and perhaps the new ones also. We want to see the Africanisation of the Church, which does not mean bringing in an African God because there is only one universal God. But the running of the Church. I am happy that this is an African church by birth and leadership," said President Mugabe.
The late Reverend Philimon Sibanda, who died last month, led the Apostolic Church of Africa. During the liberation struggle, the church and the late Rev Sibanda contributed significant logistical support. During his address, Cde Mugabe delivered his condolences to the church over the death of Rev Sibanda.
"We want to see African people not as workers, kneeling for help before whites. We want to see us being owners of companies ourselves and senior managers so that we can say Zimbabwe is truly an African country."
In the past, he noted that while white-led churches played a prominent role in development, it was not enough.
He reiterated the need for indigenous people to take up ownership of majority stakes in the mining sector and other major industries in the economy.
Earlier, the leadership of the church had requested assistance from the Government in the form of a farm and the tarring of the road from Hyde Park to the church. President Mugabe said the Government would provide the farm to the church and would also tar the road.
"After looking at your requests, which are very humble, I say we will provide the farm and tar the road. "We own the land together. It is not for politicians, businesspeople, even the Church and pastors can own it and develop it. We will certainly provide that farm," he said. He said the church had two major sources of income. One of them was for the church to engage in its own income-generating projects while the other was for church members to run their own projects and businesses.
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"If people have their own companies and they employ their own sons and daughters in the farming areas producing crops, cattle, chickens and piggery it will assist. "The Government will also assist. We can empower you. When the people have their own successful projects, they will then make wonderful donations to the church. Friends in the country and outside can also help," said the President.
He said the Government played an important role in meeting the mental and physical needs of people, but fell short when it came to spiritual matters. That provided room for the Church to foster the spiritual well-being of the people for the making of a complete human being to be a success.
Before President Mugabe's address, Pastor Toni Tshuma delivered a moving sermon in which he emphasised the need for the people to respect their political leadership and to be self-reliant.
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