The Sunday News
Brian Maregedze
The University of Zimbabwe, department of Philosophy, Religion and Ethics hosted a prominent religious figure, Tavonga Vutabwashe recently where he delivered a lecture, Pentecostalism and Black Economic Empowerment in Zimbabwe. Professor Vengeyi indicated that the aims and objectives of the lecture series are designed to be thematically in sync with the dictates of Education 5.0 hence identify and engage strategic partners, thought leaders, industry experts. Dr Chiwara in welcoming Apostle Vutabwashe reiterated that through the lecture series with such prominent voices engaging on different societal issues, “. . . I feel like it is the day that education 5.0 is coming into reality . . .”
Apostle T Vutabwashe is the founder of Heartfelt Ministries International and has over two decades of ministry. Apostle Vutabwashe has also authored numerous books including: The Future You, Commitment; Welcome to God’s Family; How to handle Pressure; Days of the Holy Ghost; Hospitality and Customer Service to mention only these among many.
The respected founder of Heartfelt Ministries International deployed a historical/literary reading of the biblical book of Genesis in mapping the place of Africa, Christianity in Africa as well as Pentecostalism. Apostle Vutabwashe went on to account for the role played by the clergy in the second Chimurenga (liberation struggle). One of the founding fathers of independent Zimbabwe and of the Zimbabwe African People’s Union (Zanu), Ndabaningi Sithole is among the nationalists who is edited back in national memory by Apostle Vutabwashe. Thanks also to the Second Republic that edited back Reverend Ndabanini Sithole in the public square. Dr Tinashe Mushakavanhu has also revived academic interests on this founding figure using; Ndabaningi Sithole: A Forgotten Founding Father which is a biographical mapping of the political and intellectual contributions of Rev Ndabaningi Sithole to the liberation of Zimbabwe. Other clergies who are historically known to have been instrumental in the formation of the modern Zimbabwe state include Bishop Abel Muzorewa and the first president of independent Zimbabwe, Reverend Canaan Banana. Apostle Vutabwashe indicated that the trio of these clergies altered the way pastors are viewed in Zimbabwe’s body politic.
Apostle Vutabwashe went on to challenge the believers of today to be empowered by all means necessary. He pointed to the predicament of the church of contemporary Zimbabwe with the pastor being materially rich and the congregants being broke. The need for an empowered congregation entails pastors, the clergy being proactive in making the right teachings.
Patriotism is the highest level of security of any nation
In his lecture, Apostle Vutabwashe chronicled the exemplary nature of the young people who took up arms and sacrificed their lives in the fight for an independent Zimbabwe against white minority rule. He further pointed that while today’s preachers are majoring on miracle performance, the mentality of believers should be anchored on working hard so that they can reap from the fruits of their labour.
True empowerment entails all resources being accessible and affordable to everyone in Zimbabwe. “Empowerment should not be tribalistic,” echoed Apostle Vutabwashe. He went on to call for the need not to criminalise potential; the need to have Patriotism as a compulsory course in Bible school; Patriotism being taught from home.
A Pastor should not destroy the country with a microphone
The message evinced by Apostle Vutabwashe accurately answers the question on the relevance of Pentecostalism in Zimbabwe and partly points to the possibility for a Pan African theology of African pride. This is a theology of liberation that castigates all forms of marginalisation of the masses in their economic and ideological well-being. Drawing analogies from the liberation struggle of Zimbabwe, Apostle Vutabwashe makes a valid case for patriotism and black economic empowerment.
Professor Obvious Vengeyi
The rate at which there is outward migration in Zimbabwe in the turn of the millennium has been used as a point of departure in reflecting upon the Zimbabwe societal challenges. Apostle Vutabwashe argued that when believers are armed with patriotism, Zimbabwe can be the greener pasture.
Heartfelt Ministries International is transnational, covering regional spaces such as Mozambique, South Africa, Botswana and even in the middle east — United Arab Emirates (UAE). Another layer of empowerment set out by Heartfelt International Ministries is that of training the indigenous clergy from Mozambique to carry on with the work of planting a form of Christianity that uplifts the mental universe of the believers. Apostle Vutabwashe’s Pentecostal theology has nationalistic undertones as espoused in the ministry of the Biblical Isaiah.
Professor Obvious Vengeyi observed that the lecture by Apostle Vutabwashe was revolutionary in that poverty is unpacked exploring the cardinals of family background, inconsistent national policies, climate (environment) among others. While spiritualising poverty is ordinarily given higher ground in the Pentecostal milieu, Apostle Vutabwashe takes a deliberate analysis of class struggle cognisant of the suffering masses which fits into a deconstructed Pentecostalism.
For Apostle Vutabwashe, the indigenous masses are still marginalised compared to foreigners in registering their businesses. He said there is need for a reversal of such anomalies if Zimbabwe is to rise above its existing challenges. Far from a Pentecostal theology that purports to celebrate mediocrity in Zimbabwe, Apostle Vutabwashe makes the case for equitable distribution of Zimbabwe’s natural resources that benefits all. It is no wonder Professor Obvious Vengeyi affirmed that the Apostle Vutabwashe echoes the voices of prominent proponents of black theology in the calibre of James Cone and Cornell West.
Equally closer home are the works of the founding president of the modern state of Zimbabwe, Reverend Canaan Banana with, Come and Share: introduction to African Theology; The Gospel According to the Ghetto and Face to Face with Combat Theology. In these seminal texts, the late Reverend Canaan Banana advocated for a re-reading of scripture in light of the poor who demand a fair share of minerals and material wealth of their land. His version of the Lord’s Prayer made a mark in liberation theology, which included the words, “Teach us to demand our share of the gold/ and forgive us our docility.”
He resoundingly ended his lecture with the words, “Long live University of Zimbabwe, Long live Zimbabwe!”
