Story by Bruce Chahwanda, Political Editor
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has reiterated the importance of peace in national development adding that violence is retrogressive.
He said this at the ordination of Great Zimbabwe University Vice Chancellor, Professor Rungano Zvobgo, as Bishop of the African Reformed Church at Shonganiso Mission in Masvingo province.
The colourful ordination ceremony was attended by church leaders of other indigenous churches with President Emmerson Mnangagwa who is also part of the family being Guest of Honour.
Addressing thousands of people who witnessed the ceremony, President Mnangagwa said Zimbabweans must uphold peace at all times for the nation to realise the envisaged development.
“In the state, hakuna nyika inobudirira ine mhirizhonga. We can’t build the country in violence, but in peace, and harmony. As leaders, whenever we find an opportunity, we preach peace, we also know that the church teaches good behaviour, there is no church which teaches wayward behaviour. If what the church does and the positive things the state does put together, we will realise development,” he said.
President Mnangagwa also urged Zimbabweans to work hard and be productive for the benefit of the country.
“We have laws, though following the Bible, uchadya cheziya kuti urarame, hence hearing us calling for production, production, production. We must work for that and we must not buy food, but work,” he said.
He added that Zimbabwe has been under illegal economic sanctions for the last 22 years and this has become a way of life for those born during this era.
“For 22 years, we have been under sanctions and those born 22 years ago they don’t know any life outside sanctions. Sanctions are the state of life. The more they impose sanctions on us, the more they become our way of life,” he said.
President Mnangagwa believes Professor Zvobgo has the capacity and courage to preach the gospel of peace.
“He is an eminent Professor, Vice Chancellor. He is comfortable, he has made it in life, but the calling from God to minister in the church, all members of the church are yours, that’s what God wishes. I know you have the capacity and bravery to identify what is good and bad, your calling now is different. You are also a lieutenant in the state, now you have started missionary life of tomorrow which we don’t know about but believe in,” he said.
President Mnangagwa handed over a certificate of ordination to Bishop Rungano Zvobgo under the Zimbabwe Indigenous Inter-Denominational Council of Churches.
The President also donated an ambulance for Shonganiso Clinic.
