by Gideon Madzikatidze/Simbarashe Sithole
BULAWAYO – Zanu-PF’s Bulawayo Provincial Chairman, Jabulani Sibanda, has praised Zambia’s culture of purity, highlighting its significant role in supporting Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle and other freedom fighters across the continent, noting that mutual relations amongst indigenous churches across the borders complement existing peace and development.
Sibanda commended Zambia’s commitment to realising freedom and sovereignty throughout Africa and fighting colonialism.
Speaking during the Council for Churches in Africa’s (CCA) 2026 Culture of Purity theme launch, Sibanda emphasized the importance of preserving Africa’s cultural heritage.
“It would be unfair to talk about the foundation and liberation of Zimbabwe without mentioning Zambia considering its contributions towards our fight for independence from the then colonial regime. It is during the process of our quest to attain independence that Zambia helped various comrades from our military wings with basic necessities,” Sibanda said.
Furthermore,”We have a rich cultural heritage together, with Zambia and Zimbabwe sharing uniform cultural infrastructure. Our histories complement each other and this extent beyond politics, but also religion where our people fellowship together and teach morality and Ubuntu,” Sibanda added.
The CCA’s Founder President, Arch-Bishop Dr. Rocky Moyo, urged churches to collaborate with governments to promote sustainable development, national identity, and combat immorality and cultural diffusion.
“It is the duty of church leaders in Africa to promote culture of purity amongst their congregants and respective communities. They should be agents of a just society where equity and equality should be prioritised whilst submitting to their respective governments,” Moyo said.
“I therefore urge our clergymen in Africa to collaborate with their governments to promote sustainable development and national identity whilst fighting cultural immorality and diffusion,” Moyo added.
CCA Zambian Chapter President, Bishop Dr. Brian Kalikiti, lauded Zimbabwe’s non-discriminatory policies, which enable churches to enjoy freedom of worship and ease of doing business.
“As Zambian indigenous churches with some branches and affiliation to Zimbabwe and African clergymen grouping, we really appreciate non-discriminatory policies existing under the guidance of revolutionary party, Zanu-Pf and its entire leadership. These freedoms and policies surely promotes peace and unity amongst our nationals as well as ease of doing business,” Kalipiti said.
The event underscores the strong ties between Zimbabwe and Zambia, built on shared history and mutual support during the liberation struggle. Zimbabwe has consistently acknowledged Zambia’s role in hosting freedom fighters and supporting the fight against colonialism.