Johanne Marange Apostolic Church endorses ED

Bocha (New Ziana) – The Johanne Marange Apostolic Church, one of the biggest religious groups in the country, on Saturday endorsed President Emmerson Mnangagwa for the presidency in next month’s general election, and predicted his victory against ten challengers.

The country goes to the polls on August 23 to elect new presidential, parliamentary and local government leaders for the next five years.
Ten presidential aspirants have registered to challenge President Mnangagwa, who is seeking a second five-year term in office.

Speaking at their annual pass-over gathering at Mafararikwa, church leaders said President Mnangagwa had distinguished himself in his first term in office, and therefore deserved to be given another mandate at the helm of the country’s leadership.

President Mnangagwa, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and several other top government officials attended the pass-over ceremony as special guests.

The church said President Mnangagwa’s national leadership was ordained by God, in recognition of his good, humble human traits and attributes.

“As a church, we have faith he (President Mnangagwa) shall continue to lead our nation. The coming elections will just be a formality of processes as President Mnangagwa already has our vote and full support throughout,” the church said.

“Having the highest leader of the land leaving behind his office and busy schedule to attend such a spiritual moment, speaks highly of his level of humbleness and his God fearing nature. His personality groomed him for the office he currently holds,” it said.

It added: “He has been through several trials and tribulations, but has remained true to being humble and patient, a trait of humbleness fit for a leader. His ascension to power was not by any force, but a God-given position based on his God fearing nature.”

Apart from assuring President Mnangagwa of its members’ overwhelming vote, the church implored the electorate nationwide to renew his mandate for the country to press ahead with its current developmental agenda.

On his part, President Mnangagwa commended the church, and others, for the critical role they played in fostering peace and unity in the country.

“Ever since I started visiting this church, I have observed the (high) level of peace and unity displayed by the congregants. By merely turning up in their numbers without being coerced speaks volumes of their unity of purpose and love for peace and worship,” he said.

President Mnangagwa said for any nation to develop and prosper, it needed prayers and spiritual guidance, which the Johanne Marange Apostolic church and others were ably providing for Zimbabwe.

An estimated 30 000 worshipers attended the ceremony.

New Ziana