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 Kamangeni Phiri

BULAWAYO Provincial Affairs and Devolution MInister, Judith Ncube, has challenged churches to be proactive in fighting social ills affecting society today against a backdrop of a looming drought and cases of social problems that include drug abuse by the youths.

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She said while the Government was adequately equipped to cushion its people against the effects of drought, some ills besieging communities like increasing cases of drug abuse, early pregnancies, mental illness and suicide, among others, were best dealt with by the church.

The minister’s remarks were made at an event to celebrate The Salvation Army Bulawayo Citadel’s 100 years of existence on Sunday in a speech read on her behalf by the Director of Provincial Coordination, Mrs Boetsoarelo Noko.

“This function is being held against a backdrop of a sad development, a looming drought.

“Our President, Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa, has already assured the nation that no one will die of hunger as the Government has put in place measures to avail food aid to all communities,” she  said.

“However, the church should not limit itself to fulfilling the spiritual needs of its members only but also meet their material needs, especially with the impending drought.

“Our people need spiritual uplifting and food now more than ever. We also expect the church to continue playing its traditional role of praying for healing among our people and for the rains.”

Minister Ncube said churches have always played a key economic role in improving the socio-economic lives of Zimbabweans, even in the pre-independence days.

“The solid and close relationship between politicians and the church can be traced back to the liberation struggle days in the 60s and 70s when most senior officials and others were fighting to end colonial rule,” she said.

“While some might see today’s commemorations as merely a church function, our President, Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa, and the Government view the celebrations as the growth of a crucial partner.”

The Bulawayo Citadel was established in 1923 as a small congregation exclusively composed of whites with little or no impact on the socio-economic lives of the locals.

Today, The Salvation Army owns and runs a number of schools, hospitals, nursing and children’s homes dotted around the country that complement the Government’s efforts of providing quality education and health care as well as availing social safety  nets for society’s vulnerable groups.

“May I take this opportunity to congratulate you on this milestone as Citadel and for transforming the Corps into a cosmopolitan and key economic player in the development of Bulawayo as a city and the region,” said Minister Ncube.

“The great Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu, aptly said, ‘A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step’. He was right.
Indeed, you cannot go anywhere unless you make that first step.

“As our President is always saying, ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo/Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo. Let’s all play our part in making Zimbabwe a better country,” she added.

The Salvation Army’s chief secretary, Colonel Tineyi Mambo, said the Citadel event on Sunday was a celebration of 100 years of preaching the word of God and service to the Bulawayo community and the State.

“We at The Salvation Army are into everything.

“We are into education, health and several other services that also build up to the nation’s agenda of Vision 2030.

“We do cooperate with local authorities, local government and the State at large because we are also under their direction of leadership,” said Col Mambo.

Bulawayo Deputy Mayor, Councillor Edwin Ndlovu said the local authority was grateful to the Salvation Army for assisting the city’s vulnerable groups.

“We are celebrating together with The Salvation Army’s Bulawayo Citadel because we have excellent relations. They are feeding and sheltering the vulnerable in the city,” he said.

“Even during Covid-19 they assisted many schools with water containers for washing hands. We will continue working closely together as they start their new journey of another 100 years,” said Clr Ndlovu.

The two-day celebrations, which started on Saturday running up to Sunday, were held under the theme: “Ebenezer, thus far the Lord has taken us”.