Antony Chawagarira
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa recently allocated 50 hectares of land to the Apostolic Faith Mission in Zimbabwe (AFM) to establish the church’s first university in Chatsworth, Gutu.
Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri formally handed over the offer letter to AFM Zimbabwe President Dr Amon Dubie Madawo, who represented President Mnangagwa at the church’s annual spiritual conference at Rufaro Conference Centre.
The land is adjacent to the conference centre and will be used for the construction of the proposed university.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri commended AFM for its contribution to national development, particularly in the education and health sectors, saying churches had an important role to play in the attainment of Vision 2030.
Dr Madawo expressed gratitude to Government for creating an enabling environment for churches to partner the State in national development.
“Your government has created a conducive environment for churches to operate in Zimbabwe and partner with it in building the nation,” he said.
He said AFM had established itself as an important partner in education, healthcare, social welfare, skills development, and community empowerment.
The church currently runs 24 schools across seven provinces and plans to establish schools in every province.
It also operates clinics, vocational training centres, the Manhinga Children’s Home in Manicaland, and various community development programmes.
Dr Madawo said the university would be developed on the newly allocated land, while appealing for additional support towards the church’s other development initiatives.
He called for assistance in establishing a modern science laboratory, fisheries, and agricultural projects at Rufaro High School, as well as equipment, instructors, and scholarships for vocational training centres.
He also appealed for additional commercial boreholes to support the conference centre and the tarring of the road linking the facility to the Gutu turn-off.
During the event, Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri also commissioned a clinic constructed at Rufaro High School by the AFM Young People’s Union with financial assistance from businessman and Senator Dr Kudakwashe Tagwirei.
The health facility is expected to benefit about 6,000 people in the Chatsworth area and improve access to primary healthcare.
Dr Madawo said the church remained committed to complementing Government’s development efforts while maintaining its non-partisan and spiritual character.
“Our approach is non-political, very spiritual, evangelical and Pentecostal. We complement the efforts of Government in nation building and community development,” he said.
Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira, senior Government officials, Chief Serima and other traditional leaders attended the event.
