Harare (New Ziana) -The Zimbabwe government has granted the founder of the Bethesda Apostolic Church, Archbishop Loveless Matarirano Manhango, a State assisted funeral in honour of his outstanding contribution to the independence, development and spiritual wellbeing of the country.
Archbishop Manhango, who was aged 104 years, founded the church 72 years ago in Chegutu and oversaw its growth into a worldwide brand.
In a condolence message on Wednesday, Acting President General (Retired) Constantine Chiwenga announced that President Emmerson Mnangagwa had directed that Archbishop Manhango be granted the honour of a State assisted funeral.
“On behalf of the President, the ruling ZANU (PF) party, government, the nation, my family and my own behalf, I wish to express my deepest and heartfelt condolences to the Manhango family. His contributions to the wellbeing of Zimbabweans will forever be remembered and cherished. May his dear soul rest in eternal peace,” Acting President Chiwenga said.
He said the 104-old Archbishop Manhango made immense contributions to building Zimbabwe before and after independence with the black indigenous church he founded providing material and spiritual support to liberation war fighters that operated in Chikomba, Buhera and Wedza areas during the country’s war for liberation.
“The establishment of an indigenous church which supported the Liberation Struggle was viewed as an anti-establishment rebellious act by the racist Rhodesian regime and resulted in him being arrested and tortured leading to injuries that would trouble him up to the time he passed on,” said Rtd General Chiwenga.
“Despite the harsh treatment by the Rhodesian settler army, he remained adamant arguing that the Bethesda Apostolic Church was a mission given to him by God and could not be abandoned.”
The church has over 200 000 followers with branches spread across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, Australia, China, United Kingdom and the United States of America.
At the time of his death, Archbishop Manhango was working to develop the church headquarters at Chiwiriri into a mission centre for the spread of the word of God.
The Bethesda Apostolic Church is an active member of the Zimbabwe Indigenous Interdenominational Council of Churches in which Archbishop Manhango, who worked well with the government and the ruling ZANU (PF) party, was the secretary for legal affairs.
Archbishop Manhango carried out extensive philanthropic work in communities where the church evangelized including the establishment of the Bethesda Education Trust Fund, which assisted over 900 children with scholarships to further their education.
He also supported the Land Reform Programme during its implementation becoming a successful beneficiary who contributed to food security in the nation through his farm at Nyabira.
New Ziana