By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has commended the Johane Masowe Chishanu Church for its significant contribution to Zimbabwe’s healthcare sector, praising the donation of 570 hospital beds, 560 wheelchairs, and other essential medical supplies.
Addressing more than 5,000 congregants at the Church’s National Spiritual Conference at Gwanzura Shrine in Highfields, Harare, on Saturday, the President said such initiatives demonstrated the importance of citizens and faith-based organisations contributing to national development.
“Ndinokutendai nechipo che 570 hospital beds, 560 wheelchairs, nezvimwe zvakakosha zvinoshandiswa muzvipatara,” President Mnangagwa said, expressing gratitude for the donation and its potential to strengthen healthcare delivery across the country.
The donation forms part of the church’s ongoing collaboration with Government under the philosophy that “Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatirwa nevene vayo” — a nation is built, ruled and prayed for by its own people.
The contribution comes at a time when Zimbabwe’s healthcare system has faced challenges due to resource shortages.
The provision of hospital beds is expected to enhance patient care capacity across various health facilities, while the wheelchairs will improve mobility for persons with disabilities.
President Mnangagwa noted that the donation would be distributed countrywide to ensure it reached those in greatest need.
Speaking at the four-day conference, which brought together members of the Johane Masowe Church from across Zimbabwe and beyond, the President called on churches to deepen their partnership with Government in advancing national development.
He said churches had an important role to play in complementing Government’s efforts to improve the welfare of citizens and should actively participate in programmes under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2).
“Moving ahead towards the attainment of Vision 2030, I look forward to see all the churches of our beloved motherland playing their part in the programmes and projects outlined in the National Development Strategy 2,” he said.
Madzibaba Moses Gwasarira, leader of the Johane Masowe Chishanu Church, who made the donation, said he was humbled by the President’s acceptance and appreciation.
“I didn’t know that His Excellency, President Mnangagwa would accept this donation and also give us an ear and time,” he said.
He noted that not all problems faced by people needed spiritual healing — “some want wheelchairs while others want to be treated while resting on a good bed”.
Beyond healthcare, President Mnangagwa urged churches to scale up programmes fighting drugs and substance abuse, violence and crime, particularly among young people.
He also called on religious organisations to help increase the number of vulnerable children with access to education and to ensure the elderly and widows were not neglected.
“Let the Church be a refuge for children fleeing from evil,” he said.
The President also recognised the philanthropic work of Johane Masowe elder Madzibaba Wicknell Chivhayo for his contributions to the church and wider community.
The donation follows a similar gesture in October 2024, when the Vapositori and vaZion for ED, also led by Madzibaba Moses Gwasarira, donated 570 hospital beds, 560 wheelchairs and 1.2 million units of sanitary wear to the Government.
At that time, President Mnangagwa praised the Church for embracing the philosophy that citizens should take ownership of national development.
As Zimbabwe pursues its Vision 2030 of becoming an upper-middle-income society, the partnership between Church and State continues to grow, with faith-based organisations increasingly playing a role in addressing the country’s developmental challenges.
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