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The First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe flanked by ZCC leader Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi (left) and Senate President Cde Ednah Madzongwe in Mazowe yesterday. — (Picture by Munyaradzi Chamalimba)

Felex Share Herald Reporter
Churches yesterday rallied behind the recommendation to appoint First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe as the Zanu-PF Women’s League secretary, saying the elevation was deserved as the First Lady had uplifted the livelihoods of many Zimbabweans through her charity work.
The Churches made the announcement when hundreds of inter-denominational church leaders, drawn from the country’s 10 provinces, met Amai Mugabe at her Children’s Home in Mazowe.

The church leaders, who gathered under the banner of the Zimbabwe National Pastors Fraternal, denounced and prayed against the planned mass actions by the MDC-T, saying they were behind the Government of the day, Zanu-PF.

The colourful ceremony also saw men and women of cloth praying for a good rainy season and adequate inputs as well as an end to vices such as corruption, homosexuality and moral decadence.

Reverend Munyaradzi Pundo of Word of Faith Ministries (Bulawayo), who spoke on behalf of Matabeleland region, said the elevation of Dr Mugabe was long overdue. He said the province would rally behind Dr Mugabe as she ventured into the world of politics.

“Do not be afraid and never say you are too young in politics,” he said.

“You were chosen by God to lead that Women’s League long back. Do not be afraid because God is with you. Secondly, you have a veteran politician and leader who has led the country for over 30 years and has resisted illegal sanctions imposed by the West because of the land issue.

“You have a lot to draw from the President. Thirdly, as you enter into your position, do not fear because pane hondo yemweya yakakutsigirai inova yamakatarisana nayo — vafundisi nanamai mufundisi (there is an army of prayer warriors interceding for you — pastors and their wives). This is the air force of Zimbabwe, which is there to pray for the King and the Queen.”

Added Rev Pundo: “We thank you for accepting to lead the women. By so doing you have accepted to lead us church leaders. God has ordained you to lead and help the nation.

“We pray for the President to have more years and we have added another leader on our prayer list, Dr Grace Mugabe. We congratulate you for your achievements including the academic ones.”

The church leaders also requested Amai Mugabe to be their matron adding that they were not being fully recognised when it came to inputs distribution and allocation of stands.

Some slammed “powerful politicians” in their provinces whom they said were denying them access to land.

Pastor Clyde Tsiga from Mashonaland East, said Amai Mugabe’s elevation to become Women’s League boss was “deserving.”

“We congratulate you for your contribution to the nation and your devotion to the people of Zimbabwe is unparalleled. We congratulate you for the deserved appointment into the Women’s League, which is a major milestone in your career.

“Amai has proved beyond reasonable doubt that she is able to walk the talk as shown by her projects. Musha mukadzi and just as we were taught through our African culture that if you want something from baba you go through amai and she knows the right time, position and mood to pass these pleas. We are kindly asking you to take all our pleas to the President.”

Pastor Tsiga said the planned protests by the MDC-T were misplaced.

“We want to remind the nation that Governments are installed, ordained and retained by God and if God wants to remove them, he does,” he said.

“The Government we are working with at the moment is Zanu-PF and it was put there by the Almighty and subjects should therefore obey the Government. By obeying the Government we are being faithful to the Almighty God.” Said Reverend Amos Chaniwa of Harare: “Your elevation is not only democratic but a testimony of your good work. You have displayed qualities of a mother. Tinokudai, Tinokufarirai and Tichamira nemi murwendo rwenyu” (We love you, we are happy for you and we will support you along this journey).

Reverend Godwell Khosa (Mashonaland West) and Pastor Andrew Gunha (Mashonaland Central) said Dr Mugabe’s invitation to the Women’s League had come at a critical moment as the country was looking for solutions to turn around the economy.

Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi of the Zion Christian Church, said the proliferation of churches in the country was a result of indigenisation that he said should filter down to all aspects of life including culture.

“We should guard against foreign influence,” he said.

“Some are using money even in churches to disturb our national targets, but if we pray together the vision of empowerment will be realised fully. We are here to bless not to curse the leadership.”

In response, Amai Mugabe said there should be great collaboration between Government and the church adding that it was everyone’s responsibility to ensure that the Government’s economic blueprint, Zim-Asset becomes a success.

She urged Zimbabweans to plan for the future saying she was not carrying out philanthropic projects to get “public adoration”.

“You must know there is a tomorrow,” Amai Mugabe said.
“Your tomorrow depends on yesterday. Let us not forget that retirement comes. Some people have this perception that whatever Amai does should be for free. I am also just like you. If I do not organise and plan properly things do not go well.”

She added: “The State House is a place where it is so nice to live so much that if you succumb to that warmth you can forget about tomorrow. I could have sat on my laurels saying I am the President’s wife, busy doing my nails, hair, having those massages but I said I will have none of that.

“God brought me into the State House for a purpose. I want others to learn from my story. I work hard, I never look back. Life is like walking a tight rope. Focus on what is ahead, if you keep looking back you will fall. I get up kuchiri kutema. If you want to die poor sleep. I also fast and pray hard for guidance.”

Turning to her nomination to head the Women’s League, Dr Mugabe said the move would make her realise her dream of “ministering to people.”
“Somebody asked me what I wanted to do after retirement and I have my answer,” she said.

“I want to minister to people but I realise I may not have the time. They are asking me to lead the women, but I have said that you are giving me a forum to preach. As I move working with women I am also going to remind them of the good works of the Almighty. The women approached me to work with them and I said yes we can work together and I felt honoured that they think that I can work with them and here you are, other groups have come to weigh in their support that Amai we are very happy you have been chosen to work with women.”

Amai Mugabe promised to forward the churches’ grievances to the President and responsible authorities.

“All your grievances I have heard and I assure you that I will take them to the ears that must hear,” she said.

“I am glad you have come to the realisation that you also need land and I am going to take this message to him. I think this will make our legislators to think again on how land should be distributed — it must cater for everybody. We should not hesitate to talk to our legislators.

“The demand for land is going to increase. I have got children and I am going to have grandchildren and great grandchildren and if you do not have land they are going to ask you where you were when others were getting the land.”