Acting President Constantino Chiwenga came close to likening himself to the Biblical Moses when he told a church gathering in Bulawayo, Sunday, that Zimbabweans must stop grumbling about the country’s economic fortunes and put faith in the new government.
Likening Zimbabweans to Israelites who grumbled when God led them out of Egypt, Chiwenga was adamant prospects would soon improve as Government knew people craved for better opportunities and was doing its best to bring about a turnaround.
Chiwenga was one of the masterminds of the military intervention that dislodged long time ruler Robert Mugabe from power in November 2017 before he was replaced by his erstwhile deputy, Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Addressing congregants at the second ‘National Thanksgiving and Dedication Service’ hosted by Family of God (FOG) church in Bulawayo Sunday, Chiwenga urged Zimbabweans to stop moaning but be grateful that they were taken out of hardships endured under the old dispensation.
“The great Book of Life tells us of the children of Israel who still grumbled even after receiving manna from Heaven. Instead of focusing on what God did for them – that is setting them free, giving them land and thus making them a nation – they instead chose to grumble,” he said.
“They hankered after the delicious Egyptian food they had left behind, they forgot the brutal whip lashes and slavery by which they had purchased the good food. Lest we judge the children of Israel to harshly, it helps to think a little about our own circumstances and what God has done for us. Are we grateful for what God has given and how do we express our thanksgiving in word, deed and attitude?”
Chiwenga lamented that there was a lot of hate in the country to the extent that some wished bad upon leaders yet people must come together to open a new page of forgiveness and love.
He said them – as leaders – knew people craved for better opportunities yet that was no easy feat but had to be worked for.
“God founds nations and freedoms for his people he blesses it with many gifts which make free life supportable. The gift of the earth –ivhu…we now have it as Zimbabweans. And as the story of Israel tells us, this gift does not come cheap. We struggle for it the same way the children of Israel struggled for it many of us cry over sanctions and all the difficulties these sanctions have wrought on our lives.
“As your leaders we fully understand your craving for all things good and easy and beautiful the god things of life but the scriptures plainly and loudly tell us finding our own corner of the earth is no walk in the park. You struggle you sweat, you bleed you suffer and you die even for that which is yours,” said the former army strongman.
Appealing to congregants, Chiwenga urged people to stop spreading hate, which had overtaken love and would not build a nation.
“We see much of this nowadays, hate and spite, hate speech and ill will even flowing from the pulpit. We cannot build god’s nation on negative sentiments, more so when it comes from those who must radiate love and show the path of virtue.”
He appealed to the church to help spread a spirit of love and tolerance.
“Help us Bishops help us fathers help us pastors please have we not hated enough, cursed enough, hurt enough, injured enough is it not about time we opened a new page of love and oneness, preached love and oneness,” said the acting president.
He admitted Zimbabwe was going through a difficult patch but it was a matter of time before the economic situation improved.
“Our children need jobs and better prospects, Government is doing its best to bring about a turnaround in the fortunes of our nation. We are confident that our economy is on the path to recovery. Things will start to look up in the coming months. We have many resources all of them God given. We are hardworking people thanks to the discipline and the work ethic, which you have helped inculcate in our people before long our nation will prosper in spite of those who want to see us down,” Chiwenga concluded.
The church service led by FOG founder, Andrew Wutawunashe was attended by other local and regional church denominations, Zanu PF officials including Minister of State for Bulawayo Metropolitan Judith Ncube.
