by Gideon Madzikatidze
HARARE – Several church leaders under the Multi Faith Economic Dialogue (NAMFED) banner converged to validate rapporteur report on how religion in Zimbabwe intends to contribute towards economic emancipation, collaboration and inclusion, with President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his cabinet expected to receive the religious economic management template next week.
Speaking to the media after a closed-door rapporteur report validation, assessment and endorsement meeting, NAMFED Chief convenor and facilitator, Obey Mapuranga disclosed that churches have agreed to unite in their quest to contribute towards the country’s economic management.
“We had delegations from several churches including apostolic, zion, pentecostal, Salvation Army and other mainline from all country’s 10 provinces. Bishop Andrew Raradza who is also a member of ZANU-PF Central Committee member will be chairing the advisory board which will be the supreme arm of the NAMFED,” Mapuranga said.
“Today’s validation was crucial in the post dialogue which we did previously on the church’s quest to complement government’s economic revival efforts through critical stakeholders engagement which include the church. We are party of economic actors hence our contribution towards the dialogue will help in the transitioning to National Development Strategy Two (NDS2),” Mapuranga added.
“We have been given an opportunity as churches to participate through adding our input towards country’s economic emancipation and management. Thus today’s major activity was for the NAMFED advisory board to validate and check the submissions by churches page by page and agree on a ten-paged document which will be submitted to the President, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, deputy chief secretary, among others showing how churches will participate on all ten areas of NDS2 formulation with main thrust of generating an interest on religious-based/driven economy,” Mapuranga added.
Madzibaba Biggie Mutawu from Johane Masowe eChishanu Jerusalem (Goshen) commended NAMFED for being a vehicle of economic success which prioritise homegrown religious initiatives and indigenous actors who understand their contextual realities.
“As apostolic churches, we welcome this platform since it is an economic vehicle from which churches could air out their economic prospects and even showcasing their capabilities to contribute towards existing realities which turnaround masses’ economic prospects,” Mutawu said.
Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs President, Sheik Ismail Duwa also welcomed the initiative as an inclusive platform which does not discriminate people based on religious beliefs.
“This framework is religious-centric and will therefore ensure inclusivity of people from diverse religious beliefs for a successful economy. We bring together religions in the widest expertise on economic variables and turnaround prospects,” Duwa said.