Zimpapers Logo

Remember Deketeke-Herald Correspondent

Churches have called on African countries to shelve their differences and unite to address pressing economic and socio-political challenges, while also striving to be innovative and producing all the goods they require.

The call was made by Bishop Never Muparutsa at the Africa Forum on Religion and Governance, Zimbabwe Leadership Conference 2024 held in Harare yesterday.

Addressing journalists on the sidelines of the conference, Bishop Muparutsa said Africa must define its own identity.

He said for Africa to develop, there was need for people to play a critical role, while also using local resources.

“Gone are the days when we approached the world with begging bowls for aid, with its attendant conditionalities.

“Africa’s collective experience in politics and economic development is testimony that it is none, but ourselves who have the burden to move Africa forward,” he said.

Bishop Muparutsa said education must be used to steer Africa towards the achievement of Agenda 2063 of the “Africa We Want”, while combining efforts for the accelerated implementation of the Continental Education Strategy for Africa as well as the United Nations Sustainable Goals.

“Given that the population of our continent is the youngest and liveliest in the world, this is even more important.

“To achieve sustainable growth, modernisation, and industrialisation of the continent, the young dividend should be utilised.

“In order to do this, it is now crucial and necessary to intentionally use science, technology and innovation to empower young people and our communities,” said Bishop Muparutsa.

Econet Group Chief Executive Officer Dr Douglas Mboweni said Africa can only develop if villages were activated as development centres.

“Even though the village is the smallest unit, development must start there. When you activate the village, you get development that will aid in spearheading the bloc’s development,” he said.

Sustainable village development, added Dr Mboweni, was critical in shaping Africa’s future.

“Drawing lessons from the President’s mantra, ‘Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo’, it is critical to make sure that proper development must be implemented by private players, in uplifting villages within different regions,” he said. 

 The purpose of the African Forum on Religion and Government (AFReG) is to build a movement of African leaders of integrity, who are committed to transforming Africa into a premier continent based on God-centred values.

Leaders in government, education, business, and non-governmental organisations and churches, come together through the platform of AFReG, seeking to collaborate in promoting the life-enhancing and holistic transformation of Zimbabwe and Africa as a whole.

Since its inception in 2006, four forums have been held in different African countries.