Religion
-
200,000 Members of International Church Hold Virtual Prayer Service for Covid-19
After its initial outbreak with a cluster of pneumonia cases at seafood, poultry, and live wildlife market in Wuhan City, China, Covid-19 has spread rapidly across the globe. The virus has hammered economies worldwide and brought devastation to many. On 16 September Shincheonji Church of Jesus, a church with thousands of members in various countries,…
-
Apostolic sect adopts ‘online prophecies’
Lifestyle Reporter THE Johanne Masowe Yenyenyedzi Nomwe apostolic sect is now among the very few indigenous apostolic churches to digitize their operations. This comes after the Zvimba-based sect – led by High Priest Herbert Mtandwa – last week officially unveiled their digital platforms which they hope will enhance their work, giving people from all walks…
-
COVID-19: Shincheonji Church Runs Second Plasma Donation Drive
Over 1,500 Shincheonji Church of Jesus members have started donating blood plasma for research purposes after recovering from Covid-19, as the organization bolsters its efforts to help contain the virus. Donors from the church in South Korean city Daegu started undergoing the process on August 27 and will continue until September 4. This is the…
-
Madzibaba Mtandwa prides self in spiritual work
Sowell Chikwari (Lifestyle Reporter) Johanne Masowe Yenyenyedzi Nomwe apostolic sect High Priest Madzibaba Mtandwa takes pride in delivering people from spiritual bondage and sickness, converting them to the ways of God. Born Hebert Mtandwa sixty years ago in Gokwe in a family of 16 children, the Johanne Masowe Yenyenyedzi Nomwe apostolic sect leader is renowned…
-
EcoSure launches Pamwepo/Sisonke cover for churches and social groups
ECOSURE, a micro-insurance brand from Cassava Smartech, has unveiled a new package called EcoSure Pamwepo/Sisonke in an effort to ensure that churches and other social groups have access to affordable insurance cover. This comes as Zimbabwe’s hyperinflationary environment has significantly wiped out people’s disposable incomes as prices of goods and services continue to rise on…
-
Churches in Zimbabwe set to watch services for free – on Sasai Watch!
Churches in Zimbabwe will now be able to post their services online, with their followers able to watch for free, on Sasai Watch. A Sasai insider said until the COVID-19 lockdown is removed, churches in Zimbabwe and their followers will be able to upload their services and show them every Sunday on Sasai Watch…
-
Understanding the Nerumedzo Heritage Site in Bikita
By Nimrod Ushe Nerumedzo is a national monument popularly known for a swarm of stink bugs (Harurwa) which throng annually to that place between the month of April and August. During that time, citizens of Bikita District, pour libation of traditional beer in petition and sacrifices to please the ancestors/vadzimu/amadhlozi for their precious gift of…
-
“A Breach of Religious Liberty”: International Community Reacts to Chairman Lee’s Arrest
At 1:20 am on August 1, Chairman Man Hee Lee, the founder of Heavenly Culture World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) and leader of religious movement Shincheonji was arrested amid investigations pinning the blame for South Korea’s COVID-19 outbreak on his church. This came after holding a 10-hour arrest warrant hearing regarding five Shincheonji officials…
-
Religious Leaders Speak Out Against South Korea’s Scapegoating of Church after Members Test Positive for COVID-19
Religious leaders and NGOs in association with the United Nations around the globe have raised their voices on the need to correct inappropriate persecution and human rights violations against a South Korea religious group, Shincheonji Church of Jesus. From Southern Africa, fourteen (14) religious leaders from the Christian, Islam, Hindu, the Church of Scientology, Hare…
-
South Korea church hit by COVID-19 says members to give plasma for research
SEOUL (Reuters) – Around 4,000 recovered COVID-19 patients from a religious group at the centre of South Korea’s largest outbreak will donate plasma for research, an official said on Tuesday, a day after local officials filed a lawsuit against the church. In February and March, a massive outbreak among members of the Shincheonji Church of…
-
President Mnangagwa declares the 15th of June National Day of prayer
By Anyway Yotamu President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared the 15th of June 2020 as the Presidential National Day of Prayer and Fasting. Addressing journalists at Statehouse in Harare, President Mnangagwa emphasized the need to continue abiding by the COVID-19 regulations while at the same time resorting to prayer and fasting so as to conquer the…
-
Masiyiwa urges multi-stakeholder collaboration in fighting COVID-19 in Africa
Businessman Strive Masiyiwa has urged Africans to adopt what he calls the ‘ITTIT’ formula to fighting the spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus epidemic as governments across the continent gradually ease national lockdown restrictions imposed to reign-in the spread of the disease. Writing on his popular Facebook blog following his appointment by the African Union as…
-
Artists appeal to God to save the world from coronavirus
As the vaccine for coronavirus remains elusive, popular conscious music artists, Beven Masvosva and Walter Mangisi who is popularly known as Man Walle have turned to God for salvation in their latest release song. In their song, “Fight COVID-19”, the artists acknowledge the ravaging impact of the virus that has left the world confused and…
-
Prophet Uebert Angel donates maize meal to Norton community
Prophet Uebert Angel continues with his humanitarian aid to the needy during the COVID-19 when he donated food hampers to the needy in Norton community. The wealthy businessman, philanthropist and man of the Cloth through his Uebert Angel Foundation recently donated tonnes of maize meal as part of a US$250 000 purse allocated to Zimbabwe.…
-
Institute preventative hygiene etiquettes to keep out coronavirus: ZCC
Although there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 cases in Zimbabwe, the old adage “prevention is better than cure” is important in curbing an outbreak of this pandemic, the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) has said. The umbrella body of churches said with cases on the increase in South Africa, Zimbabwe’s largest trading partner,…
-
Stakeholders join hands in fighting sexual gender based violence
By Joyce Mukucha As it continues to take strides in fighting Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) through urging women to speak out, Katswe Sistahood has partnered with Trocaire, Plan International, Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC), Adult Rape Clinic and government of Zimbabwe by hosting a girls and women’s symposium in Epworth. The gathering which has come…
-
Coronavirus and Christian Church caught in the middle of Political Game
The rapid proliferation of the coronavirus (COVID-19) resulted in 13 deaths and 1,766 confirmed cases as of February 27 in South Korea. While the cause and solution of the infection are not identified, Shincheonji Church, with over 500 members, has become the target of scapegoating and blame. On February 19 South Korean President Moon Jae-In…
-
Catholics take major steps towards promoting justice and peace in Zimbabwe
Expert groups were commissioned to facilitate the mission of the Catholic Church in promoting justice and peace in Zimbabwe. The Rt. Rev. Rudolph Nyandoro, the Bishop Chairman of the Catholic Commission of Justice and Peace in Zimbabwe (CCJPZ) said the working groups will focus on three thematic areas. “We shall have the advocacy…
-
Sekuru Banda intervenes in Tytan and Olinda Chapel squabbles
Singer Njabulo Nkomo better known as Tytan’s social media revelation that his erstwhile former wife and popular socialite Olinda Chapel hid her ‘HIV positive’ status from him has led famous traditional healer Sekuru Banda to add a voice regarding relationships and marriages. “In marriages and relationships conflicts are bound to happen. It’s common cause…
-
Katswe Sistahood working to end violence among religious sectors
By Joyce Mukucha and Anyway Yotamu. In an effort of continuing to promote access to inclusive sexual and reproductive health and rights and sexual gender based violence information and services in Zimbabwe, Katswe Sistahood continues to spearhead the SASA! Faith journey, a guide to preventing violence against women and HIV prevalence in faith based communities.…
-
Zimbabwe Council of Churches Calls for National Healing Process
By Joyce Mukucha The Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) has called for a collaborative shared approach, a new consensus dominated paradigm and a healing process towards recovering the economy and attaining a peaceful nation. Speaking at a meeting with the media which was aimed at shaping working relations with this community for the year 2020…
-
Emulate unity of the churches: President Mnangagwa
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has called on Zimbabweans at all levels of society to emulate the unity shown by the churches at the Prayer Meeting held at the National Sports Stadium on Saturday 1 February 2020. President Mnangagwa made the remarks at the inaugural event of the Zimbabwe Indigenous Interdenominational Council of Churches (ZIICC) titled National…
-
Come let’s reason together: Indigenous churches on Zimbabwean Crisis
The recently formed Zimbabwe Indigenous Interdenominational Christian Council (ZICC) is calling on all political actors and churches to come together for a meeting to pray for the nation and its development. Speaking to Spiked Online Media in Harare on 29 January 2020, Reverend Andrew Wutawunashe, the ZICC Secretary-General called on Zimbabweans from all walks of…
-
Appoint Young People Into Ministerial Positions – Dr DD Isaac
BY OWN CORRESPONDENT Zambian International Preacher Dr Prophet DD Isaac has made international headlines after challenging African leaders to embrace generational renewal. Speaking at an over subscribed Cross over night in Chawama Grounds Lusaka Zambia Dr Isaac said ” Zambia and Africa need Generational Renewal. There is a wave of regional Youth Activism an awakening…
-
Trace Gospel offers religious delights to DStv viewers
DStv viewers who enjoy religious music will delight in a new channel, Trace Gospel, which was launched on DStv channel 332 in December. The new channel is an offshoot of Trace, the already-popular channel featuring the latest urban and afro-urban music and news on celebrities, lifestyle, entertainment and culture. Liz Dziva, publicity and public relations manager of…
-
Outrage over Blasphemous Christian pastor
For many people across the globe this is the most wonderful time of the year but for some Christians the period, usually marked by celebration, is soured by religious leaders driving their own political agendas. The trend of church heads wielding their influence to interfere in matters of the state remains alive throughout the world…
-
AU “Silence the Guns” to be realized as communities and Heads of State rally around the DPCW
On 21 December 2019, over 300 children from the Atlantis community participated in a peace walk and community clean up at the Dura Park, as a symbol of goodwill and peace over festive season. The event was hosted by the City of Cape Town, in collaboration with International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), International Women’s…
-
National Convergence Platform Launched
Rev Dr Kenneth Mtata (NCP Spokesperson) Yesterday, 13th of December 2019 the National Convergence Platform (NCP) was successfully launched in Harare at Kentucky Hotel in Hatfield, Harare. The event was marked by a colourful Church session led by the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations(ZHOCD) through a powerful and flowing liturgy. ATTENDANCE The event was attended…
-
Prophet Passion asks Wife for Twabam S_X in a video
Self-styled Prophet Passion has shocked followers on twitter after he posted a video asking his wife to go into bedroom for some ‘twabam s_X’. Twabam which he says means ‘automatically’ or ‘things are going great’ to some, is apparently a code used by some underworld. The wife who was outside their US mansion agreed but…
-
Religious Freedom in Focus Globally as Minorities Are Increasingly Targeted
Human rights experts from around the world are calling on governments to intervene where the religious convictions of minority groups in their countries are being trampled on. The Centre for Studies on New Religions, headquartered in Italy, and Belgium-based Human Rights Without Frontiers held a seminar to draw attention to what they say has become…
-
Caritas commends unity against GBV
Tatenda Mqetu Caritas Masvingo commends the combined determination by government ministries and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in eradicating all forms of gender based violence (GBV) as they commemorated the 16 Days of Activism against GBV under the theme “Prevention, Protection, Participation and Services; End Gender Based Violence” in Bikita District on the 27th of November…
-
South Africans Join Over 100,000 Students Around the World Graduating From Free Bible School
Over 100,000 Bible students graduated from the Zion Christian Mission Center, a free theology school, on Sunday in a global ceremony that spanned nations from South Africa to South Korea and Namibia to New Zealand. This is the first event of its kind in modern religious society, even as many Christian denominations report declining congregation…
-
Oil magnate and traditional healer Sekuru Banda tops Zimbabwe Rich List
By Byron Mutingwende While there are certain household names when it comes to wealth in Zimbabwe, one surprising entry, the famous Sekuru Banda has turned the tables and occupied the uppermost position as the richest but humblest man in the country if not on the continent. The recently established Trumpet, which works in…
-
Sekuru Banda’s influence goes global
Popular traditional healer, Sekuru Banda was recently elected as the President of the African Traditional Healers Association that has a global influence stretching to Europe, Asia, Australia and America. Lately, Sekuru Banda has been occupied with international engagements where he attends at least 15 global conferences every year where he will be teaching African…
-
Cleric primes for sanctions removal
By Lovemore Chazingwa in Kadoma Renowned man of cloth Apostle George Dhliwayo of Great Restoration and Deliverance International Ministry (GRDIM) and president of International Ministers Federation (IMF), has resorted to God, in word and deeds, to prepare for the removal of economic sanctions imposed on the southern African nation by the United States and her…
-
Political leaders pressed to address the root causes of Zimbabwe’s national challenges
The Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHCD) have met the leaders of the two main political parties ZANU (PF) and the MDC and presented them with messages on the need to urgently come up with solutions to address the root causes of Zimbabwe’s national challenges. Addressing a press conference in Harare today, Reverend Dr. Kenneth…
-
World Peace Summit Calls for Collective Effort for Sustainable Peace
To commemorate the 5th Anniversary of the WARP Summit, international peace organisation Heavenly Culture World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) together with International Peace Youth Group (IPYG) and International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) held different events across the world with 300,000 participants in over 166 locations in 113 countries including Germany, New Zealand, Nigeria, Zambia…
-
Pastor dies in suspected suicide case
By Tatenda Mujeyi A pastor with a local Pentecostal church is suspected to have committed suicide by jumping off a 4th floor parking bay at the Parkade centre located on the corner of Julius Nyerere and Jason Moyo avenue. At the time of going to print, the reasons for the suspected suicide were unclear as…
-
Madzibaba Enock wins court case
By Gideon Madzikatidze A High Court judge has dismissed with costs a dispute over land in Harare’s high density suburb of Budiriro 4, which had degenerated into a nasty battle between apostolic sect members and their leader, Madzibaba Enock (Herbert Senda). Herbert Senda, 37, the court said, is the rightful owner of the land. He…
-
Spiritual leader Sekuru Banda weighs in on xenophobia
By Byron Mutingwende Celebrated traditional healer and spiritual leader Sekuru Banda has expressed disdain at the on-going xenophobic attacks in South Africa. Addressing journalists in the capital soon after touching down at the Robert Mugabe International Airport from Asia where he had gone for an international herbal conference in China and Japan, Sekuru Banda…
-
Cape Town to Host South Africa Leg of Annual Peace Summit
In September, the “2019 HWPL World Peace Summit” will be hosted in over 130 locations in 87 countries including South Africa, United Kingdom, Russia, and the United States of America in cooperation between international peace NGO Heavenly Culture, World Peace Restoration of Light (HWPL) and international civil society organisations and governments. With the theme of…
-
Zimbabwe Council of Churches Engages Chamisa on Demonstrations
On the 14th August 2019, the Zimbabwe Council of Churches delegation met the president of the Movement for Democratic Change, Nelson Chamisa, at their party headquarters in Harare. The meeting comes after the Urgent Pastoral Letter issued on the 8th of August 2019 by the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD) in response to the…
-
Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs in Zimbabwe promoting peace and unity
The President of the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs in Zimbabwe Sheik Ishmael Duwa has said his organisation is in many communities around the country to promote peace and unity so as to achieve sustainable development. Sheik Duwa revealed this while distributing sacrificial meat at Greencock Farm in Acturus today where he noted the practice…
-
Churches concerned by moral decay revealed in Auditor-General’s findings
Church leaders under the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZCC, EFZ, ZCBC, UDASIZA) held an engagement meeting with the Office of the Auditor General. They said the 2018 Audit Findings shows that there is breakdown in corporate governance across all institutions of the state. “Public resources are misused and diverted for individual gain. Stewards are…
-
Religious Organisations Condemn Mass Demonstrations and Protests
By Tatenda Mujeyi Religious organisations convened a prayer meeting at Mabvuku Salvation Army Church yesterday and condemned the calls by some opposition parties to stage mass demonstrations and protests. The prayer which was coordinated by Women Intercessors Network (WIN) under the theme ‘Prayer for peace’ was attended by other religious groups including Destiny for Africa…