By Dickson Bandera
The church and the state are inseparable, the president of the Republic of Zimbabwe, His Excellency Cde Dr ED Mnangagwa has said.
President Mnangagwa said this at the launch of the National Convention for Vaposotori and MaZion for Economic Development held at Zimbabwe Grounds, Highfield, Harare, Saturday.
Speaking to thousands of the members of the Christian community, drawn mainly from the indegenous churches of Zimbabwe, who gathered at the Zimbabwe grounds for the national launch, president Mnangagwa said the unity of the State and the church is indispensable.
“The church preaches to the people and as leaders, we lead the same people who go to church. If we say these are our people and the bishops say these are our people, then what? We target the same people so, we are one and inseparable perable,” he said.
“That teaching of the gospel is the same teaching of Zanu PF. In Zanu PF, we encourage and promote peace, unity and hardwork,” he added.
“Today we are here to pray for our country. I and my lieutenants, humble ourselves because you have invited us for this important occasion to pray for Zimbabwe,” he added.
President Mnangagwa recalled the significance of the venue of the convention, Zimbabwe Grounds.
“This place I recall when we returned from Mozambique in 1980, we came here at the Zimbabwe Grounds, the numbers that were here were huge. I was with President Mugabe, holding his left hand and General Solomon Mujuru holding his right hand. Of the three of us, I am the only one left. I think I am here so that I can tell you this history. I tell you who was there, you should also pass the history to your children,” said the president.
“43 years ago, we committed ourselves to end the war to build our country so that the people of Zimbabwe can build the country for prosperity and peace and pray freely in the country given to them by God.
I want to congratulate you today for demonstrating your love for Zimbabwe. You are testifying your conformity with the Holy Bible which says honour the authorities of your land because they are installed by God,” he added.
President Mnangagwa supported his message with a number of Bible verses including Proverbs 3 verse 6, 2nd Chronicles 7 verse 14, Psalms 121 verse 1, Corinthians 15 verse 58 and Genesis 3 verse 19.
The President revealed that during his recent three day state visit to Malawi, President Chakwera of Malawi and himself committed themselves to three mantras: That Africa will be Governed by Africans. That Africa will be Developed by Africans. That Africa will be Prayerfully Blest by and through African Prayers.
He said it is possible that we build our own country and those who want to help us will come on our own terms.
Speaking at the same occasion, Vice president Constantino Chiwenga urged Zimbabweans to be peaceful and shun violence during this election period.
Vaposotori and MaZion for ED is an initiative that seeks to bring together Apostolic and Zion church members to participate in economic development programmes.
