Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Tonderai Saharo
10 November 2009
Harare — IN the serene and relative quietness of Harare's Waterfalls suburb, loud singing, chanting and dancing are probably some of the few things one would least expect to disturb the suburban peace.
Add to that a cacophony of gospel music and traditional instruments such as mbira and marimba, and one would be forgiven for thinking one has strayed into an entertainment zone.
But what people find even more baffling is Gladymore Konono, a self-styled "prophet"; and "bishop" with a difference who combines both traditional and faith-based methods of treatment on his clients.
Bishop Konono, as he is known within his Baba Vedu Vari Kudenga Apostolic Church, uses traditional instruments to exorcise evil spirits, unlike some other prophets in the apostolic sect who pour "holy" water on those haunted by evil spirits and the sick.
"What is unique in Konono's church is that when he renders his 'famous healing rituals' he plays instruments; mbira, marimba and rattles, which he has named the matenderwana," said church member Madzibaba Joseph.
Bishop Konono is not fazed by the contradictions in the style of his "ministry", as many people find it difficult to accept a link between traditional music and Christianity.
"What is wrong with using traditional instruments when doing works that are inspired by the Holy Spirit?
"The idea of using traditional instruments like mbira and marimba came in a dream and God said there was nothing bad in using such instruments as long as they are being used for good reasons," said the self-styled prophet.
"Playing instruments is written about in the Bible. There are scriptures that legitimise the use of such instruments. I understand where I am coming from.
"Reference to books that include Psalms 149 to 150 and Samuel 16 verses 14 to 23 clearly indicate what I am talking about.
"Everything that we do is according to the Holy Scriptures," he said.
Bishop Konono said that he plays the instruments after praying for patients.
"As soon as we stop playing the instruments we witness testimonies of people getting healed, especially those who had evil spirits," he said.
He said there are other instruments that the Lord has "shown" him and he would use them in his healing sessions.
"God wants me to heal people using instruments. He keeps revealing more instruments, even some I do not know. A voice keeps instructing me to use them when people have repented," said Bishop Konono.
And ofcourse the legion of followers he has amassed since he began his ministry in 2006 does not find anything wrong with it either.
Members of the apostolic sect dressed in pure white robes which signify "purity" dance as if possessed, sending dust spiralling into the heavens as they worship.
People from all walks of life also come to be part of Konono's ministry or to be healed.
As a congregation of about 200 people gets down on their knees in a circle, the barefoot Bishop mumbles, speaks and chants indecipherable words that he claims are inspired by the "Holy Spirit". He does so with his head nodding rhythmically to the sound of the instruments.
He lays his hands on the head of every person who is kneeling and prays for him or her.
Bishop Konono believes he is "a prophet sent to save the nation" and not to convert people to join his church. He said he does not "own" a church but he is the "shepherd of the flock, of God who sent him."
He has managed to win the hearts of many as he claims his prayers have made the deaf hear, the blind see, those haunted by "evil spirits" cleansed. He also claims that he prays for singles to find their soul mates and wed one day.
Relating his story to The Herald Bishop Konono said it all began with a voice he heard in his sleep.
"Before I heard the voice, I would wake up in the middle of the night to play mbira. This was not part of any ritual but I had the passion for it.
"I would make noise in the middle of the night playing these (mbira) instruments," he said.
He says he is a man on a mission, who was sent to save the nation from all kinds of sickness and suffering.
"I was sent by the Lord to save the nation. I had never been to any church in my life but it came as a dream sometime in 2006. I ignored it but the pressure continued to mount as a voice kept on telling me that I should move to different places and heal people until I finally considered forming the church," he said.
He added: "I heard a voice instructing me to go to Egypt, and swim in the Red Sea. In that particular dream it appeared as if I was swimming and when I woke up the following morning, I was a completely different person. I had been baptised in my sleep."
He says that he does not decide where to "perform miracles", but his instructions come from God telling him areas where people need to be saved.
To date, the bishop has also held his healing sessions in areas such as Norton and Epworth as well as others like Murehwa, Buhera, Mhondoro and Seke.
He has also won the support of traditional leaders who sanction his work in their areas.
According to Bishop Konono illness is a result of "evil spirits" and only people who are "sent" to ease people's suffering can heal.
"There are a lot of people who claim that they are sent to do wonders in the name of God, but if you ask them in which "house" do they belong they don't know, and people start to question their authenticity," he said.
He said he belongs to a "house" of prophets who heal the sick, the blind and those haunted by evil spirits.
Bishop Konono has five male disciples whom he is teaching how to pray for and heal the sick.
"My time to go will come and my followers will take the work further," he added.
According to Bishop Konono, those who pray for the sick are not allowed to be intimate with their spouses from Thursday through to Sunday.
"On Thursdays women pray for their husbands and families the while men pray on Fridays".
He said any disciple who breaches the law would be deemed unfit to pray for people.
"No man shall say what God has cleaned is evil. God told me that I should use the instruments to heal people in his name and anyone who doubts this can bring someone who is sick and let the results speak for themselves," said Konono.
What is baffling the minds of many is Bishop Kunono's claims that the traditional instruments are used to cure those who are sick.
According to the Traditional Medical Practitioner's Council Board Member Sekuru Friday Chisanyo, it is a matter of time before the "prophet" reveals that he is a prophet or a traditional healer
"Mbira is a cultural instrument that is used in various traditional rituals and ceremonies where people communicate with the ancestors. Blending it with Christianity brings massive confusion," said Sekuru Chisanyo.
He said one is either a faith healer or a traditional healer and the two cannot work side-by- side.
In an almost similar incident, Norton-based faith healer Boniface Muponda shocked the entire country when he announced he had traded his white church robes for traditional regalia in 2001.
He claimed that he was a n'anga but still had faith healing powers.
Muponda claimed that he was possessed by both the Holy Spirit and the spirit of his great grandmother, a claim that was dismissed by both church leaders and traditional healers as unfounded.
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