President Emmerson Mnangagwa has urged Zimbabwe’s faith communities to play a more direct role in the country’s economic and social transformation, saying the era of churches focusing solely on spiritual matters is no longer sufficient.
Addressing delegates at the National Spiritual Conference in Harare, the President said religious organisations possess the reach, moral authority and grassroots networks needed to support national development programmes. He called on church leaders to collaborate with Government and the private sector in areas such as education, health, youth empowerment and community enterprise development.
Mnangagwa stressed that Zimbabwe’s development agenda requires a united front, and that the Church remains a critical partner in shaping values, promoting productivity and fostering stability. He encouraged congregations to initiate income-generating projects and to guide their members towards active participation in the formal economy.
The President’s remarks signal a shift towards greater engagement between the State and religious institutions, as authorities seek to harness the social capital of churches in pursuit of Vision 2030 targets. While some church bodies have already ventured into schools and clinics, the Head of State indicated that there is room for deeper cooperation.
Leaders at the conference were urged to share the message of development with their congregations and to use their platforms to encourage hard work, integrity and national pride.