The Sunday News
COMMENTS
IN order for one to execute the above question, it is prudent at this stage to understand the KEY words or answer different fundamental questions. For instance:
(a) What is a prophet?
(b) What is a role?
(c) What’s the difference between role and character?
Israel prophets include the following:
(a) Moses
(b) Samuel
(c) Ahijah of Shiloah, Gad,Nathan,Ben Imlah.
(d) Amos the country prophet
(e) Hosea
(f) Isaiah the prophet of Jerusalem
(g) Jeremiah the prophet of Judah
The Zimbabwean prophets include the following:
(a) Magaya “the man of cloth”.
(b) Fodric Fodric “the apple prophet”.
(c) Johane Masowe.
(d) Blessing Chiza of Eagle Ministries.
(e) Madzibaba Godfrey Nzira.
(f) Samuel Mutendi of ZCC .
ANSWERS
Israel prophets fought for social justice, for instance Moses fought for justice when he confronted King Pharaoh so as to free the Israelites which were being oppressed by Pharaoh, this evidenced in Exodus 5: 1. Elijah fought for justice when he confronted King Ahab over Naboth’s vineyard, this is recorded in 1 Kings 21: 17. Amos condemned the women of Samaria who were oppressing the poor, this is recorded in Amos 4: 1. Amos advocated for fairness as well in Amos 5: 24. In Zimbabwean context, it is recorded that Zimbabwean prophets have fought for social justice, Samuel Mutendi is believed to have criticised the oppression of blacks by the whites during the colonisation of Southern Rhodesia. (note that so many examples can be added). Basing on the above text it is clear that there are similarities between Israel and Zimbabwean prophets where fighting for social justice is concerned.
Israel prophets fought for worshipping of one God.Moses fought for worshiping of one God when he destroyed the golden calf which had been made by the Israelites, Baal prophets during the Mt Carmel Contest, this is recorded in 1 Kings 18: 36-42. In Zimbabwean context, it is documented by a number of authors that Zimbabwean prophets fight for worshipping of one God, Isabel Mukonyora citing Dillon, says Masowe during his days had a tendency of destroying “mishonga” and burning the fetishes. Makandiwa recorded by Christ TV undated, discouraged his church to partake in evil practices. Magaya recorded by Newsday newspaper and Bulawayo24.com on 14 February 2015, condemned the use of water as a way of exorcism by the white church garment which is led by Johannes Ndanga as evil and encouraged them to change, this is further supported by his book entitled “The marine spirit” (the point in this case is that Magaya fights for worshipping of one God). Similarities can be noticed, hence, one will be making violence on a plain text if one totally ignores the view that there are similarities between Israel and Zimbabwean prophets when fighting for worshiping of one God.
Israel prophets predicted future events. Samuel predicted the dangers of having a king, this is recorded in 1 Samuel 8: 6-17.
Elijah predicted the death of King Ahab “the dogs will lick your blood”. This is recorded in 1 Kings 21: 17-22. Ahijah of Shiloh predicted the death of the son of Jeroboam, this is recorded in 1 Kings 14: 12. In Zimbabwean context, it is documented that Zimbabwean prophets predicted future events. For instance, Bulawayo’s well-known prophet predicted the status of Zimbabwe in his 2016 prophecies (prophecy number 2 of Chiza says the Zimbabwean dollar will be re-introduced).
Makandiwa in his article Volume 11 undated prophesied the next coming big prophet, he says (“. . . I see another man of God coming in Zimbabwe. . . but by the time he comes I will be an old man . . .” He went on to say “I see another city coming”).
Daily News newspaper on 28 April 2016 published that Makandiwa had predicted the Zambia xenophobia attacks.All this indicates that Zimbabwean prophets predict the future just like Israel prophets, hence, similarities can be noticed.
Israel prophets had schools of prophecy, Samuel is recorded to be the father of prophetic guilds (1 Sam 19: 20) and his followers were regarded as “sons of prophets”, Bishau page 41, Chapter 6, says these prophets were normally taught how to perform prophetic duties for instance prophesying ecstatically. In Zimbabwean context it is also recorded that professional prophets leaders teach their followers how to prophesy, this is supported by Bishau and Mazodze page 43, line 1, it is said that the white church garment go to “Mativi reMana” where they will be taught how to prophesy. The point in this case is teaching each other how to prophesy. Basing on this it is clear that there are some similarities between Israel and Zimbabwean prophets.
NB: So many prophetic duties can be added. These include:
— performing miracles
THE HOWEVER PART
As much as there are similarities between Israel and Zimbabwean prophets, one will be short sighted if the writer ignores the other side of the coin which proves to us that there are minor differences which can be noticed between Israel and Zimbabwean prophets. For instance:
Israel prophets anointed kings, Samuel anointed Saul and David. This is recorded in 1 Samuel 10: 1 and 1 Samuel 16: 13-23.
Elijah was suppose to anoint Jehu and Hazel, This is recorded in 1 Kings 19: 15-16. In Zimbabwean context, it is not documented that Zimbabwean prophets anoint kings and the reason being that Zimbabwe is a Republican Government but not monarchy. As such this indicate that there are some differences between Israel and Zimbabwean prophets when anointingkings is concerned.
There are so many differences which can be added, including the following:
(a) advising kings
(b) anointing judges
(c) championing holy wars.
DEMANDS OF THE QUESTION
— Compare and contrast
Witness Dingani is an author, columnist, youth coach, radio host, cricketer. He is the founder of charity organisation “Dingani Charity Organisation”. In 2016 he was nominated one of the most influential youthful figures in Zimbabwe and was voted on the 8th position out of 15 people by the Pan-Zimbabwe society. In 2017, Witness Dingani co-authored the new book for Lower 6, entitled “Understanding Family and Religious Studies”.Questions by schools can be submitted through his mobile number +2363777896159 or email address: [email protected]. Readers can follow the Questions and Answers in the Sunday News every week.
