The donation was handed over by Industry and Commerce
Deputy Minister Raj Modi during an event to mobilise support for the Zanu-PF as
part of a build-up to the 2023 harmonised elections.
The ruling party is angling to garner over five million
votes and resoundingly win in the next general elections with each province
expected to contribute an equal number of votes to attain that figure.
Deputy Minister Modi, also Bulawayo South MP, said the
gesture by the President will go a long way in fighting the deadly pandemic,
which has claimed more than 1 600 lives in Zimbabwe and infected nearly 40 000.
“Our President is a listening leader who is committed to
the well-being of citizens, particularly during the era of Covid-19. This
donation will help fight the pandemic and it is important for all stakeholders
to emulate the President and play a role in the fight against the coronavirus,”
he said.
Deputy Minister Modi also pledged to assist Johane Masowe
weChishanu, which is struggling to raise funds for the construction of a
multi-purpose centre, which will house an orphanage, old people’s home, a
community centre and a nursery school.
The church intends to set up an orphanage at its designated
site in Selbourne Park. During the event, which took place at the church shrine
in Selbourne Park, the leader of Johane Masowe weChishanu, Bishop Emmanuel
Mutumwa urged his followers to join Zanu-PF structures en-masse.
“As a church, we have seen it wise to join Zanu-PF because
of the effective leadership of our President Cde ED Mnangagwa. There are a lot
of developmental projects across the country that the Second Republic is doing
in all sectors of the economy,” he said.
“As the leader of the church, I am convinced that as a
church we should work with the Government, which is Zanu-PF to push the
development. I therefore, urge our congregants to get involved so that Zimbabwe
prospers.”
Bishop Mutumwa appealed to the Government to avail land for
mining and farming to empower the elderly, women and orphans.
“As a church, we have a large following and we are
therefore appealing to the Government to assists us by providing a farm and a
mine to help economically empower our unemployed youths and boosting food
security in the country,” he said.
“I believe a mine for the church will help empower the
women and youths economically in line with Vision 2030. The farm will enable
them to venture into various income-generating projects.”
The church, whose history dates back to 1931, is
headquartered in Bulawayo with branches spread across the country.
Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Minister Judith Ncube commended
the Zanu-PF Bulawayo provincial executive for spearheading the mobilisation
process.
“Zanu-PF-led Government under the astute leadership of
President Mnangagwa is committed to working with everyone including churches.
Churches should promote peace and unity and I am glad Johane Masowe weChishanu
is practising what they preach,” she said.
Minister Ncube offered to assist the church to acquire land for mining and farming purposes.
“I heard Bishop Mutumwa’s request and tomorrow (today), you
should come to my office so that I facilitate the issue of mining claims. As
for the farm, Bulawayo is surrounded by Umguza and therefore Senator Molly
Mpofu will look into that issue,” she said.
The minister urged congregants to utilise the loan facility
by the Women Empowerment Bank as well as accessing revolving funds from the
Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small to Medium Enterprise Development.
“There are policies, which have been put in place by the
Second Republic, which is led by President Mnangagwa to create jobs and empower
youths and women. As Zanu-PF we will continue to work with churches and should
they encounter any challenges they should not hesitate to engage us,” she said.
Zanu-PF Bulawayo provincial vice-chairperson Cde Mnothisi
Nsingo said the ruling party’s progressive development policies resonate with
the public and the party’s open-door policy is attracting new membership.
He said they were now targeting churches as they intensify
the mobilisation of supporters in the city ahead of the next elections. Chronicle
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