In a significant development aimed at supporting indigenous churches, the Zimbabwean government has announced plans to drill and donate boreholes to several church communities. The first beneficiary under this initiative, led by the Council for Churches in Africa (CCA), is the St Luke’s Apostolic Ejiwel Jekenishen Church, headed by Arch-bishop Dr. Phillip Pferedzai. This announcement was made by Advocate Misheck Mugadza, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Manicaland, during the church’s annual passover gathering at their Maunganidze congregational headquarters in Chipinge.
Presidential Borehole Drilling Scheme for Churches
Advocate Mugadza highlighted the importance of the Presidential Borehole Drilling Scheme in addressing water shortages faced by communities, including those at church gatherings. “We have heard that women and youths struggle to have water during your annual festivities at this headquarters. With President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa’s Presidential Borehole Drilling programme, we will drill two boreholes so that we counter acute water supply shortages that the church is experiencing for decades,” he said.
This initiative is part of a broader government effort to ensure that indigenous churches meet basic needs and standards, thereby enhancing the quality of life for their congregants. “It is the duty of our government to make sure that indigenous churches have been transformed to suit best standards and ensure basic needs are addressed forthright,” Advocate Mugadza added.
Collaboration with Government and Other Institutions
The event also underscored the collaborative efforts between the government, churches, and other institutions such as the Angel of Hope Foundation and the Zimbabwe Open University. These partnerships aim to empower women and youths with the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve Vision 2030. “Your commitment as churches to fight drugs and substances abuse complements government’s policy on zero tolerance to this scourge,” Mugadza noted.
Arch-bishop Dr. Rocky Moyo, Founder President of the CCA, reiterated the organization’s commitment to ensuring that churches operate within the legal frameworks of their respective countries. “We have embarked on educational awareness, engagement and familiarisation exercises with some church practices to assess if they are operating within the confines of the law,” Dr. Moyo said. He praised the St Luke’s Apostolic Ejiwel Jekenishen Church for their efforts in empowering marginalized groups across Africa.
A Call to Action
The annual passover gathering, which saw over 75,000 congregants in attendance, was graced by several dignitaries, including Cde Tapiwa Mukodza, ZANU PF provincial chairman for Manicaland province, and Cde Dr. Davison Todson Gomo, ZANU PF Commissariat Director for Research, Strategy and Liaison. These guests emphasized the importance of the partnership between the government and the church in fostering development and addressing social issues.
The CCA encourages all churches and individuals to join their mission of compliance and social responsibility. To become a part of this transformative movement, fill in the contact form on this link and join the Council for Churches in Africa today.