Apart from evangelism, Archbishop Guti spearheaded the
provision of social services in the country, including sponsoring the setting
up of the Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University in Bindura as well as Mbuya Dorcas
Hospital in Harare.
Archbishop Guti died on July 5 in South Africa. He
celebrated his 100th birthday in May. The church and family have announced 30
days of mourning.
President Mnangagwa visited the Guti family in Harare on
Monday, where he declared national hero status on Baba Guti.
The President was accompanied by First Lady Dr Auxillia
Mnangagwa, Vice President Chiwenga and his wife, Colonel Miniyothabo Chiwenga.
Said President Mnangagwa: “For some of the heroes and
heroines on that site (National Heroes Acre), some people may not really know
the profile of their works. We, who have put them there, know.
“But as for Baba Guti, his works are evident for all to see
and everybody knows the great works he did. However, the church has the liberty
to continue with their plans, but we, as the Government of Zimbabwe, have
decided to declare Archbishop Ezekiel Guti a national hero and hereby confer
that status.”
ZAOGA FIF’s Ezekiel TV channel also posted on its Facebook
page the conferment of national hero status on the “General in the Faith”, as
Baba Guti was commonly known in religious circles.
“On Monday July 24, 2023, His Excellency the President of
the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde ED Mnangagwa conferred the national hero status
upon our late father, Apostle Ezekiel Handinawangu Guti.
“In his speech to the family and church leadership, the
President pronounced that the Government of Zimbabwe decided to give this
honour to Apostle Guti, in recognition of the great work and impact he has done
in the nation and the world over,” reads part of the post.
Last night, the Zanu PF leadership led by acting Secretary
General Cde Patrick Chinamasa, National Commissar Cde Mike Bimha, Secretary for
Security Cde Lovemore Matuke and Politburo member Cde Omega Hungwe, and Home
Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister, Kazembe Kazembe, visited the Guti
family to deliver the news of national hero status conferred on Baba Guti.
Cde Chinamasa, who was representing Zanu PF Secretary
General Dr Obert Mpofu, said they had been sent by President Mnangagwa and Zanu
PF.
“We have been sent by the President to inform the Guti
family and church that the party and President saw fit to accord national hero
status to Baba Guti.
“A national hero status is accorded depending on the impact
one would have done, working for his or her country.
“What has led us to come here is because of his good deeds.
He did a lot of work, which everyone can testify even if one would not be a
member of ZAOGA. He preached evangelism in Zimbabwe and beyond,” said Cde
Chinamasa.
Minister Kazembe then read out the hero conferment letter
from Dr Mpofu, directed to the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr
Misheck Sibanda.
“His Excellency, the First Secretary of Zanu PF Cde Dr ED
Mnangagwa has conferred national hero status to the late Archbishop Professor
Ezekiel Handinawangu Guti who died on July 5, 2023,” he said.
ZAOGA FIF national executive chairperson, Apostle Joe Guti
said on behalf of the family and church, they were grateful for the recognition
that Baba Guti got from President Mnangagwa.
“He worked for 75 years preaching non-stop, demonstrating
what Christianity is. God permitted him to live for 100 years of which we say
the global church has benefited from that long life.
“He had a global impact on the whole world which is worth
celebrating. We are here to appreciate this recognition; thank you for
honouring our father, our global icon in the world of faith, not only
evangelism but in the academic world, health sector, all sectors of the
economy, nation building he contributed, and is worth celebrating,” said Apostle
Joe Guti.
ZAOGA FIF secretary general, Apostle Mishael Nyambo, said
the church was grateful for the honour bestowed upon Baba Guti.
“We are more than glad with the national hero status
conferment, thanking that works that were done by our father were open for all
to see in Zimbabwe. Herald
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