One finds it very puzzling to hear some politicians say that
politics is an area other sectors of society like the church should not be
involved in – a very Zimbabwean outlook indeed. Why is that so? I am not in any way trying to push pastors
into the fray. Perhaps history can enlighten us as to what has happened in the development
of African politics and put the record straight.
In South Africa the first president of the ANC in 1912 was
Rev John Langalibalele Dube of the Congregational Church in South Africa. The
founder and first leader of the first political party, the Southern Rhodesia African
National Congress (ANC), sometimes known as Bantu Congress in the 1930s, was
the Rev TD Samkange of the Methodist Church. He was chosen president of the
Bantu Congress in 1943.
They were fighting against racism whereby blacks were not
allowed to enter shops but only buy their goods through windows. This was a
precursor to future struggles.
Rev Ndabaningi Sithole
founded, and was the chief architect of, ZANU in 1963 in conjunction with Herbert
Chitepo, Robert Mugabe, Edgar Tekere in Enos Nkala’s
Highfields house. At a party congress in
Gwelo, Sithole was elected president and appointed Mugabe as secretary general. This does not necessarily mean that all these
church leaders wanted to be presidents. They were chosen by the people to
facilitate a process at a time when they were the most respected in African
society. Their role was to fight against
racism on behalf of blacks. I am sure they did not even enjoy their role
because of the risks involved then.
Some of the pastors who went into politics have had to experience
a lot of mudslinging in the process because they wanted to be honest to their
call as shepherds of the people . Our society is very good at character
assassination, and this has happened to many and has been done with impunity.
The question I am asking is: Should we let things go on like this, namely that the capable people from among the clergy
who want to exercise their role as shepherds and mediate in politics be scared away because they get bullied in the
process?
In the late seventies the Rev Andrew Majoni Ndhlela of the Methodist Church went both to Geneva and
Lancaster House Conference offering
chaplaincy to all parties at both meetings. Rev Ndhlela, Bishop Lamont of the
Catholic and Bishop Skelton of the Anglican Church pioneered the formation of the
Rhodesia Council of Churches (RCC) -now Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) - in
1964 which clearly did not support the Smith regime. It was not easy for them
to break away from a white dominated missionary council (called Rhodesian
Conference of Churches). These clergy fought hard to send a clear message and
convince the World Council of Churches (WCC) that it was necessary for the
Church to support the liberation struggle.
A Desk to Combat Racism was established at WCC in Geneva,
and Dr Nathan Shamuyarira was appointed to head that desk for some time.
These were considerable efforts made by church leaders at the time. At home the
Rev Herbert Chikomo of the Presbyterian Church became the first General
Secretary of RCC. Threats were made by
the Smith regime to close the Council because it was supporting the war of
liberation.
However, the Council continued its work unafraid and in 1967
formed Christian Care as a social
welfare arm which became a lifeline for the political detainees by paying fees
for their children and providing food to their families. Political prisoners themselves
were provided with fees to further their education.
What is surprising and rather absurd now is that the church is
told to keep its hands off politics by the very beneficiaries who enjoyed
church support when in detention. They
seem to have the misleading view that they have a monopoly of deciding what is
right or wrong for people in this nation. However, we are in it all of us. Politics
affect everybody, and all citizens have a democratic right to have a say in their
future. As a church we pray for our leaders, but we do not stop there. The
church has the duty to look after those in leadership positions because of the
crucial role they play in determining the future of this society.
Bishop Ralph Dodge of the United Methodist Church played a crucial
role in sending Africans abroad for further education at a time it was
treasonous to do so. He passed on the baton
to Bishop Abel Muzorewa who was also a beneficiary of such a scholarship. Whatever
people may say about the late Bishop Muzorewa, he played the midwifery role to
the birth of independence for Zimbabwe. As the only Prime Minister of
Zimbabwe-Rhodesia, he was embroiled in many unpleasant things like all midwives
go through. Zimbabwe-Rhodesia became the cross-over channel which then ushered
in the independence that we enjoy now. As PM he had to give in to so many
demands some of which compromised him.
Prof. Rev Canaan Banana the former first President of
Zimbabwe was instrumental in bringing together the two political parties ZANU
and ZAPU in 1987. He later became a diplomat of the Organisation of African
Unity (OAU).
Indeed caterpillars are not allowed to use the roads they
pioneer. There will always be people who
are very good at wanting to get all the credit. Most Zimbabweans who are close
to either side of the 60 year age group fought the war of liberation in various
ways. Admittedly, there were those who actually sold out, but these were in
both camps. In the same vein there should be respect for this generation. No
one looks down upon the role played by those who held guns. But as we all know
there were many who jumped on the bandwagon of war that may have never carried
any guns at all. Sometimes these are the
ones who make a lot of noise by way of compensation.
From 2003 Bishop Bakare of the Anglican Church, Bishop
Mutume of the Catholic Church and Bishop Manhanga of the Evangelical Fellowship
of Zimbabwe played yet another midwifery role as they shuttled between MDC and
ZANU PF when there was a high degree of polorisation between the two parties. All their efforts
including those of the Christian Alliance, which subsequently chaired the Save
Zimbabwe Campaign, made a contribution towards the Government of National Unity
(GNU) that was eventually ushered in 2008.
We may have misgivings about the GNU but look at the Constitution. A very difficult process indeed, but we now
have a constitution which we as Zimbabweans are proud of. Then the economy of
this country took a new turn. It should be the prayer of every Zimbabwean that
the phase we are going through be handled with due consideration to all
stakeholders so that we benefit from the vast resources this country is endowed
with.
Corrupt officials should be held to account. This is not the time to hide behind political
factions while pushing agendas that destroy the nation. The GNU, in spite of
its pitfalls, demonstrated that Zimbabweans can at least agree on a number of
issues which took this nation forward. Clergy or layperson - we all have the
duty to seriously consider our beautiful country first. All efforts to restore our dignity should be
the business of every Zimbabwean worthy of such a name.
Rev Dr Levee Kadenge
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