Pastor Maxwell Kapachawo (image courtesy of afryka.org)

HEALTH and Child Care minister David Parirenyatwa has come under a barrage of attacks from Christians for his suggestions that condoms should be put in bibles for church members to use.

Parirenyatwa said it was unfortunate that some church leaders could not resist engaging in sexual activity and as such members should be careful and resort to condom use to prevent HIV and Aids, sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies.

However, the suggestions left tongues wagging in the Christian community.

“That is blasphemous. Why inside bibles, the holy book of God who condemns, adultery and fornication, which is mostly what transpires in hotels.

“Why not just suggest that they be placed on beds if you really want to use them that way, lets not use the Bible in vain utterances. Respect the holy Book. If you had suggested the Koran, Muslims would have had your head by now,” said Vimbai Tembo, a member of the Apostolic Faith Mission in Zimbabwe.

More than three decades have gone by since the emergence of HIV, which causes Aids, yet religious leaders in Zimbabwe still find it difficult to sensitise members about condom use or to negotiate safe sex.

A member of ZAOGA Abraham Munetsi in Highfield said it’s not possible to have condoms in the bibles adding that “The Word of God cannot and must not be associated with tools of adultery and fornication.”

Lack of knowledge and sensitization on HIV and Aids by religious leaders has been said to be exacerbating the spread of the pandemic in the country.

Medical experts say unprotected sex has been found to be the major driver of the pandemic, with 90 percent of infections resulting from such practices. And the problem is affecting almost all age groups, with church members also having a fair share.

But members of the Christian community insisted that condoms should not be put in bibles.

“That’s Satanic to put condoms in Bibles. Even so Come Lord Jesus. Come and take thy waiting people home. Why in the Holy Bible? Please if you want to play with God then do it at a very big risk. Some mocked God and guess what happened?”

In Zimbabwe some church leaders have been accused of ignoring the HIV/AIDS epidemic among its members and failing to create a platform that allows open discussions about HIV and AIDS.

Maxwell Kapachawo a pastor of Abandoned Grace Ministries became the first religious figure in 2005 to go public about being HIV positive.

He is actively involved in the activities of the Zimbabwean chapter of the International Network of Religious Leaders Living with or personally affected by HIV and AIDS.

See related reading:

HIV and AIDS religious leaders continue educating church members on compassion

Health and Child Care minister David Parirenyatwa (photo: M Chibaya).

HEALTH and Child Care minister David Parirenyatwa yesterday shot down Registrar-General Tobaiwa Mudede’s suggestions urging the populace to shun contraceptives.

Parirenyatwa also defended his position that condoms should be placed in Bibles and distributed in churches.

Parirenyatwa told parliamentarians that contrary to Mudede’s assertions, his ministry encouraged the use of contraceptives such as condoms as a birth control measure and to curb the spread of sexually transmitted infections and HIV.

“My ministry encourages correct and consistent use of condoms to protect from sexually transmitted diseases and HIV, as well as that they are useful in family planning and spacing,”Parirenyatwa said.

“We reiterate that condoms have been part of prevention efforts for HIV whose rates have now declined partly due to consistent use of condoms.”

Mudede stirred heated debate recently when he castigated contraceptives describing them as a health risk and part of the Western world’s tools to reduce Africa’s population growth.
On condoms, he said: “Yes, indeed, I am on record as advocating for placing of condoms in Bibles in the context of them being placed inside hotel Bibles.

“We find a lot of people stay at hotels and sometimes they find the need to use condoms, but are embarrassed to ask for them from the hotel reception.

“I suggested as a strategy at hotels [that] condoms must be placed inside the Bible.”

He also disclosed that 33,4% of cancer patients suffered from cervical cancer, adding that about 1 500 out of 1 800 women diagnosed with cancer died each year.

He said the ministry had intensified cancer screening and prevention in all provinces.

Meanwhile, Buhera South MP Joseph Chinotimba (Zanu PF) yesterday demanded to know why members of the Independent Media Panel of Inquiry were paid handsomely while Zimbabwe Broadcasting Holdings employees had their salaries cut.

Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare deputy minister Tongai Muzenda asked him to put his question in writing.

See related reading:

Parirenyatwa under fire for condom utterances 

Health and Child Care minister David Parirenyatwa (photo: M Chibaya).

Health and Child Care minister yesterday despite criticism stuck to his guns insisting condoms should be placed in Bibles and distributed in churches.

I think this is way too far, as Christians we do not expect this from you minister. No matter what if you are called to address a public or private gathering it is best to leave religious issues outside your domain. Others have done so and the consequences have been disastrous.

Shame to those who respected your earthly authority and stood by and helped you to laugh in that heretical joke which you shared.

In the Bible both the Old Testament and the New Testament adultery is condemned. Adultery in the Old Testament was understood as sexual relations between a married (or betrothed) woman and a man other than her husband. It was therefore a sin.

In the New Testament Jesus extended the definition of adultery to include sexual relations between a married man and a woman other than his wife.

Mark 10:11-12 says “And he saith unto them, ‘Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another she committeth adultery.”

Therefore, for Christians, adultery is the sin of a married man having sexual relations with anyone other than his wife or a married woman having sexual relations with anyone other than her husband.

Honourable minister the bible said do not take the word of God in vain. The bible is the word of God, why not in a person’s pocket or in toilets where they can be easily accessed. A bible is opened when you want to hear God speak, and then you find condoms.

The reason bibles are put in hotels is for people to be close to God. Who told u a bible is opened when people want to have sex. May God of Abraham, forgive you and make you repent.

People also wonder if romantic relationships outside of marriage are permissible as long as there is no actual sexual intercourse. However, in the Bible teachings, marriage is an exclusive romantic and sexual relationship between husband and wife.

Jesus said “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.’ (NIV, Matthew 5: 27-28)

And the apostle Paul wrote: But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband. The husband should fulfill his wife’s sexual needs, and the wife should fulfill her husband’s needs.

“The wife gives authority over her body to her husband, and the husband gives authority over his body to his wife. Do not deprive each other of sexual relations, unless you both agree to refrain from sexual intimacy for a limited time so you can give yourselves more completely to prayer. Afterward, you should come together again so that Satan won’t be able to tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”  (NLT, 1 Corinthians 7:2-5)

In practice, an “office romance” or other extramarital affair causes great emotional pain to the spouse whether sexual intercourse is involved or not. Also, sexual attraction clouds judgment and often leads to actual sexual relations, even when that was not the original intent.

There is no specific prohibition in the Bible against sex between an unmarried man and unmarried woman. However, “sexual immorality” is denounced in about 25 passages in the New Testament. The word translated as “sexual immorality” or “fornication” in English versions of the Bible is the Greek word pornenia, which means “illicit sexual intercourse.”

Jesus said this: “it is what comes out of a person that defiles. For it is from within, from human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” (NRSV, Mark 7: 20-23).

The apostle Paul wrote these verses: “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (NIV, Galatians 5:19-21)

The Bible does not provide a specific list of acts that constitute “sexual immorality,” but these verses, also written by Paul, seem to say that any sexual intercourse, except between husband and wife, would be wrong:

“Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.” (NIV, 1 Corinthians 7:8-9)

In a nutshell the minister is wrong let’s respect the Holy book. The Bible is the word of God.

The minister should apologize or retract his statement and should not joke with sacred things cause we believe the bible to be the word of God. You went too far Hon Minister.

Health and Child Care minister David Parirenyatwa (photo: M Chibaya).

Minister of Health and Child Care, David Parirenyatwa, Wednesday urged Zimbabweans seeking prayers in Nigeria to provisionally suspend the visits as government intensify to lessen the risk of Ebola outbreak.

Zimbabweans flock to the West African country mainly to attend services by the popular Prophet TB Joshua of the Synagogue Church of all Nations.

“Even if it means that you are going there for prayer we suggests that you pray here for the time being, so that it helps to lessen the risk of the number of people who come in,” Parirenyatwa said.

Parirenyatwa was responding to Bulawayo Central MP, Dorcas Sibanda’s question during the questions without notice session on whether government had banned travels to Nigeria.

The minister of Health and Child Care said at one stage, last week, Zimbabwe received 60 people from Nigeria who were coming from TB Joshua’s church.

“We are not lax at our borders especially at the International Airports in Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls. We are particularly cautious and putting stringent measures to screen people who are coming through from West Africa through these borders.

“To us, 60 people are a lot to monitor. Therefore, the risk is immense, the more people who go there from this country and then come back, the riskier it is for the country,” Parirenyatwa said.

Parirenyatwa said anybody who has come from West Africa, “particularly from those four countries, we screen and monitor them for a continual period of 21 days and look at what symptoms they may develop.”

He added: “Our health systems are going to be shaken immensely and have already been shaken. So, the best thing is to prevent and to prevent it, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said, let us contain the Ebola virus at source and the source is those five countries that I talked about.”

He urged every Member of Parliament and every Zimbabwean to guard against the danger of getting Ebola into this country.

“This is why we are strongly advising that even if you are going for prayers please, defer them until we advise appropriately,” he said.

Parirenyatwa said government’s major task is to prevent Ebola from coming into the country.

The Ebola outbreak started in West Africa in four countries, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Nigeria and of late, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) right next door to Zimbabwe, in terms of a distance away through Zambia.

Parirenyatwa said the Ebola virus originated in the DRC in 1976. “It is called Ebola because it was discovered at the Ebola River which is in the DRC.”

The minister of Health and Child Care said Ebola is not airborne like flue, however, there must be extremely close contact where one then exchange sweat, mucous, saliva, blood, semen, vomit, diarrhoea those sorts of fluids and particularly with somebody who has died from Ebola.

About 90 percent of people who contract Ebola are killed by the disease. The virus causes internal and external bleeding and damages the immune system and organs. The virus may be contracted through contact with blood or bodily fluids of the infected.

Ebola, the deadliest virus known to man, has killed at least 1,145 people in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia since it broke out in March.

 A suspected thief who posed as a genuine congregant and stole various items from unsuspecting church members of two apostolic sects was beaten to a pulp, leaving him with a broken arm, a magistrate has heard.

The suspect, Chrispen Muchanyo, denied the theft charges when he appeared before magistrate Takudzwa Gwazemba on Tuesday.

Muchanyo told the court in his defence that on the fateful day, on August 14 this year, he visited the Gaririya Apostolic shrine near Mazai Infill in Kadoma to seek divine intervention over an undisclosed problem.

During the meeting, he said he was shocked when some of the congregants turned against him and pummeled him after they labelled him a “thief”.

Muchanyo showed the court a broken left arm which was visibly swollen, saying he had been denied treatment by prison warders.

The court granted him free bail so he could seek treatment for the fractured arm before returning to the same court for ruling yesterday.

However, the court was yesterday forced to issue a warrant of arrest against Muchanyo after he failed to attend court.

The State allegations were that Muchanyo, who went to the shrine clad in Vapostori white robes, took advantage of the darkness and secretly pounced on a bag belonging to Langton Tom and stole two mobile phones, various clothing items and $50 cash and vanished into the night.

The following day, he went back to the shrine, but was allegedly caught red-handed stealing.

He allegedly fled the scene, but the sect members gave chase and handed him over to the police.

All the stolen property was recovered and positively identified by the owners.

Herbert Ngezimani prosecuted.

POPULAR pastorpruener Chris Oyakhilome is on the verge of divorcing his wife Anita after her solicitors served him with court papers at a London hotel when he recently visited the UK.

Pastor Oyakhilome, the founder of the Christ Embassy Church, is one of Nigeria’s most influential and wealthy pastors with a huge following. His congregation is reported to be 40,000 strong and Forbes estimated his net worth, which includes diversified interests such as newspapers, magazines, a local television station, a record label, satellite TV, hotels and extensive real estate, at $50m.

On April 9 this year, however, Mrs Oyakhilome filed for a divorce citing unreasonable behaviour and adultery as her grounds for seeking a separation. Since then, the couple have been living apart, with Anita spending a lot of time in London and her husband resident in Nigeria.

In her divorce suit, Mrs Oyakhilome outlined several allegations against the pastor which cannot be published for legal reasons. Her case, with suit number FD14D01650, was filed by Attwaters Jameson Hill Solicitors at Divorce Section A of Central Family Court, First Avenue House, High Holborn in central London.

Pastor Oyakhilome was served with a decree nissi in his hotel room on a recent visit to London. In divorce cases, a decree nisi is issued by the court to tell the parties that they have to wait a certain period of time before making their divorce final, to allow time for anyone who objects to the divorce to tell the court their reasons for it.

It is also possible for a decree nisi to be set aside with the mutual consent of the spouses. When the period expires, they can apply for the decree absolute, which means the divorce is completed and the partners are no longer married.

Pastor Oyakhilome and Anita have two daughters, Sharon and Charlyn, who have tried to broker peace between them but all efforts to reconcile them but seem to have failed. Pastor Oyakhimome too has been making efforts to avoid divorce in the hope that his wife would eventually have a change of mind.

According to an elder of the church, the pastor has denied allegations of adultery and believes his wife is being influenced by bad friends who are intent on destroying their home. Anita, however, maintains she has been relegated in the scheme of things in the church, adding that her husband accused her of trying to usurp power and authority above her seniors in the ministry.

Church insiders said Pastor Oyakhilome had been hoping for rapprochement but was left with no option than to receive the papers when the lawyers cornered him at his hotel in London. The decree absolute, which will effectively end the marriage, is expected to be issued soon while terms of the divorce will be worked out by the lawyers on both sides.

Anita apparently wanted to go public with the details of her allegations against the husband but reached an informal agreement to sheathe her sword in the interest of the church. On June 13 this year, some of Anita’s relatives locked up the London branch of the church to protest the humiliation being meted out to their sister.

The Charambas performing at the fifth edition of the Open Heavens Gospel Crusade held at Harare Gardens recently (photo: M Chibaya).

THE Charambas have finally released their long-awaited 13th album WeNazareta.

For the traditional Charamba follower this album will be nothing to turn your head for.

Yet still for those that have grown with the musician through all the other 12 albums and of course those with the background that Charles Charamba has been at the College of Music then this is your album.

The album is punctuated with maturity and will fit into the jazz category.

Even the predictable notso-pleasant Charamba English songs were inch-perfect this time around.

The album opens with Kukunamatai which sets out to affirm the difference. It is one track that one cannot tell all of a sudden that it is a Charamba track.
The couple goes romantic with Ndiwe the second track.

A mellow track, the song shows the duo’s affection and appreciation of each other pointing out that their relationship is all about what God destined for them.
Men of David is a track that urges people to be courageous and resolute like the men that were around David.

NaJehovah Zvinoita is a track that will remind many of Charamba’s album Sunday Service.

Interestingly Sunday Service was also received with mixed feelings and it sets precedence for this track and others with the same feel.
Mugamuchire is a different song about God’s timing.

In the song Charamba asserts that God’s time is the perfect time just as He has created seasons that come in their proper time.

The song does have traits of the traditional Charamba music and can have many grooving.

Tsitsi Nyasha Nemutsa is an intercessory cry where Charamba asks God to remember his relatives when He grants His mercy.

It is a song that will be accepted by many people in this current environment where businesses are struggling and the challenges are taking their toll on the general public.

Munopindura and No woman should die (while giving life) are tracks that one may feel were supposed to be of the top order.

Munopindura also has a vibrant and lively beat and can easily be one of the hits on the album.

The last track No woman should die (while giving life) will win the hearts of many humanitarians as it talk about the need to have systems put in place to save delivering mothers.

Some Christians have raised alarm on the tendency of some churches such as the Seventh day Adventist, Jehovah’s Witness; the Sengwayo apostolic sect and other apostolic sects for banning inter church marriages.

Speaking to RelZim, Anna Ndou said she was shocked when her Roman Catholic friend told her that the Seventh day Adventist church had refused to solemnize her wedding with her Adventist boyfriend because she was not an Adventist baptized member.

“I am shocked by churches who discourage inter church marriages. It’s bad because marriage is between two people and its only God who blesses the institution of marriage and not laws of the churches.

“It simply shows that people have become worldly as they want to govern the institution that was created by God,” Ndou said.

Tadiwa another Adventist who married outside the church said, “The Adventist pastor preached at our wedding ceremony, but said he couldn’t marry an Adventist with a non-Adventist. We had to find another, non-Adventist pastor to pronounce the vows, my wife has never really forgiven my church for it because she said she felt that was not a good welcome.”

Sarudzai Chivi told RelZim that she moved out of the Jehovah’s Witness church as they were not allowed to date boyfriends from outside the church. “I found it very queer that we would be forced to have relationships just with members of the church. It is barbaric and very bad that churches should bring such ideologies. It is segregation yet God says I am love,” she said

Timothy Chinembiri, who says does not go to a particular church but worships in any church that will be in close proximity, said it was unchristian for churches to ban inter marriages or relationships. “It is evil and done by churches that look down upon other churches. If we are serving the same God and reading the same bible why should inter church marriages or relationships be forbidden.

Chinembiri said that he does not see any problem  in inter-faith marriages “I think the goal of bringing them together in faith is better achieved by marrying them, rather than by sending them to some other church to get married,” he said.

However an Adventist elder who spoke to RelZim said it was just church procedure. “Our church manual says, “the Seventh-day Adventist Church strongly discourages marriage between a Seventh-day Adventist and a non-Seventh-day Adventist.”

He further explained, “Adventism does not allow solemnization of a marriage with a partner who is not an Adventist. However it does not mean that members of the church do not attend the wedding. We support our member but they would have to look for someone else to make them take their marriage vows,” he said

Nurses are using the Bible and culture to discriminate us from getting health care services, Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ) has said.

“If you visit health care centres the nurses use the Bible asking you why do you do this, the Bibles says this and culture says this and that has greatly increased stigma when it comes to accessing services”, Simon Matsikure who works with GALZ told RelZim this in Harare.

Biblically it is a sin for men to have sex with men, and it is unAfrican as well to do the same.

In Zimbabwe homosexuality is criminalized and the country’s President Robert Mugabe is on record denouncing the practice.

GALZ said discrimination of their members by the society increases the risk of HIV transmission and reverses the country’s efforts to reduce its spread.

According to government records Gays contribute 4% of the country’s HIV population.

Matsikure said their members were not visiting public health care centres when infected with HIV or sexually transmitted infections because of fear of discrimination and stigmatization.

“It’s the fear of homophobia, the fear of homosexuals and in society this is not an issue which has been publicly addressed but I think with the coming in of HIV and other health issues that complicate sexuality of key populations we have come to the table to discuss these issues ,”he said.

An HIV rights watch nongovernmental organization the Zimbabwe HIV and AIDS Activist Union Community Trust president Stanley Takaona said no one should be discriminated from accusing HIV and AIDS services.

“I terms of health ethics the nurses are not suppose to stigmatize ,but all in all we are there as a union and if they come to us with their complaints on whatever they want us to speak out on their behalf we will definitely do that.

“What we are sure about the Health curriculum and what health professionals are trained and what we are told by the Health Ministry there is no any other question whether this person is coming from whatever angle, but this is the reason why we are there as a union to stand for them, ”said Takaona.

Government said the public should be wary of fake faith healers and people using social media claiming that they could cure Ebola.

Ebola broke out in West Africa in the recent months with three West African countries namely Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia confirming the outbreak. There have also been cases in Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In Zimbabwe the government had dismissed stories on the social media claiming that the epidemic was reported in Bulawayo.

The government had also discouraged people from visiting West Africa until the Ebola outbreak had been brought under control.

In an interview with RelZim in Harare early this week, Head of Epidemiology and disease control in the Ministry of Health and Child Care Dr Portia Managazira said the public should be wary of dubious faith healers claiming to be having the cure for Ebola.

“This is a warning we are giving to everyone out there that they should be very cautious of such characters appearing on the social media. We had one such case in Nigeria where someone gave some people concoction claiming that they could be cured of Ebola,” she said.

Fake prophets and dubious traditional healers usually emerge and take advantage of unsuspecting and desperate people when ever such diseases break out.

Dr Manangazira said they had increased their monitoring of the possible outbreak of Ebola in all the country’s border posts and airports.

The World Health Organisation has since announced that there is no cure for Elbola.

The Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD) has implored SADC leaders to prioritise issues of peace and security within the regional block.

In a statement congratulating the Government of Zimbabwe for hosting of the 34^th SADC Summit, ZHOCD said, “We note with deep concern that despite comprehensive protocols and agreements, SADC faces acute challenges characterized by tensions between member states, resource deficits, citizen’s exclusion, social discontent, human rights violations and limited and external coordination.”

“We believe that at the core of the development of the 15-Member Community is prioritization of peace and security cooperation underpinned by effective structures and unwavering political commitment,” ZHOCD said.

ZHOCD said throughout the region peace and security of citizens was heavily compromised and urged SADC to adopt a robust stance to address the issues

In the statement ZHOCD implored the regional body to continue to develop an effective peace and security policy framework.

“Improve coordination with international partners, harmonize and clarify its role with other SADC structures, broaden engagement with civil society, ensure member-state commitment to African Union efforts on human and people’s rights and build capacity for evaluation and monitoring,” part of the statement reads.

Churches in Zimbabwe have always called for peace and are sometimes at loggerheads with the Government while pushing for upholding of human rights and peaceful political processes.

The third edition of the Open Heavens Gospel Show to be held on September 6 at the Harare International Conference Center will be graced by South African gospel group Worship house.

Worship house is expected in the country Friday.  The inclusion of Worship House will increase the appeal of the show since the outfit boasts several accolades, including best gospel group, at the SABC Munghana Lonene FM Awards and best music DVD at the SABC Crown Gospel Music Awards.The group traditionally packages its worship songs to maintain the African identity.

The Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) Shiloh Word Miracle Centre Assembly the organizers of the show have confirmed that the Worship house   will share the stage with local gospel musicians among them Mathias Mhere, Shiloh Praise, CCAP Voice of Mbare, Trymore Bande, Sebastian Magacha, Voice of Praise, Flame B among others.
Reverend Onisimo Sasa the host of the Open Heavens gospel show said all is set for the potentially explosive show.

“We are expecting our guest group on Friday for the concert where we are expecting hundreds of souls to flock to God.

“When glory comes down, there will be unlimited breakthroughs, change of story, a change of status and a change of levels for everyone who will connect with the grave present at this event,” said Rev Sasa.

Open Heavens Gospel Show

Harare International Conference Center

Worship house will share the stage with local gospel musicians among them Mathias Mhere, Shiloh Praise, CCAP Voice of Mbare, Trymore Bande, Sebastian Magacha, Voice of Praise, Flame B among others.

Date: 6 September 2014

Television personality and former Big Brother UK housemate, Makosi Musambasi, graduated from bible school last week.

She trained at one of the world’s biggest bible schools — The Word of Faith Bible Institute in Nigeria.

The school is a division of the Winners’ Chapel Ministries (also known as Living Faith Church Worldwide) .

The ministry was founded by Bishop David Oyedepo.

Makosi has followed the footsteps of songstress Ivy Kombo who  also saw the light and is now a prophetess spreading the gospel in the United Kingdom.

The ‘common denominator’ between these two socialites is that, at a point in their lives, they have been victims of tabloid scrutiny to an extent of being deemed “controversial” and “drama queens”.

However, they have both undergone massive behavioural metamorphosis that has seen Makosi boasting several positive feathers to her cap.

She is an author, television talk show host, philanthropist and motivational speaker.

In  her latest achievement,Makosi said: “The grace has been exceeding and I am ready to work for the Lord.

“I give all the glory to God and this is definitely a new chapter and I hope to impart the knowledge I got at Bible School to others and change lives.”

Meanwhile, Makosi is currently enjoying a purple patch with the success of Season 2 of her talk show Makosi Today which premiered on ZBC TV last month.

The decorated guest list has proved to be a hit with her viewers.

The show is produced by C-Media led by Munya ‘Bloggo’ Dodo and Tsitsi Madoda.

Season 2 is believed to have gobbled at least $15 000 in production costs.

United Family International Choir dominates the 2014 edition of the Zimbabwe Music Awards scheduled for October 3 with five nominations for Best Contemporary Choral Music with three albums “Devine Solutions Vol 2 and 3” and “We Are Family Vol 1”. The choir which fellowships at Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa’s church is also  up for Album of the Year and Best Duo/Grouop categories for “We Are Family Vol 1”.

Jah Prayzah was nominated in four categories namely Best Traditional Music (two albums), Album of the Year, Best Male and Best Collaboration for a song did with Fungisai Masahavave.

Zimdancehall act, Soul Jah Love and  got three in Best Dancehall, Best Male and Album of the Year categories.

In the Best Female category, there is Cynthia Mare, Pastor Olinda Marowa Ziwenga, Edith Weutonga, Fungisai and  Clare- Unleashed.  However, Pah Chihera was conspicuously absent in that category.

The awards show  is scheduled for the Harare International Conference Centre.

Recipient of this year’s Chairman’s award is Dickson “Cde Chinx” Chingaira. Cde Chinx is a man who needs no introduction to the music industry and his accomplishments cannot be challenged. He is a man whose history is intertwined with the history of our nation, pre and post-independence.

According to ZIMA organisers, the award was given to “someone who made a unique contribution to nation building through music.”

The work which was considered should have been released between the August 7, 2012 and August 4, 2014.

“Normally, the period under deliberation would be the preceding year, however, as this ceremony comes after a 7 year absence, a decision was made to extend the entry window,” Joseph Nyadzayo the chairman said.

This year ZIMA introduced an online entry system that allowed artists to submit their entries electronically from wherever they were courtesy of courier ZIMPOST.

Response to the call for entries was more than expected with artists from around the country and even in the diaspora showing great interest in the awards.

However some genre categories did not get enough entries and therefore could not be adjudicated. One of these categories was Tshibikila which recorded only two  entries.

However, the adjudication panel decided that since Tshibilika has some technical similarities to sungura, the two entries were moved and judged under the sungura category.

This year’s adjudication panel constituted a combination of musical experts in media, academia, production and promotion.

“The nominees attached, reflect the professional assessment of the judges in the various categories. There is one category that is left to the public who are the main consumers of the music. This is the Song of the Year Category. The winner of this award will be determined by public vote via sms and whatsapp voting,” Nyadzayo said.

ZIMA 2014 NOMINEES

Best Traditional Music
Mawungira Enharira – “Ndodyiwa Nemakava”
Jah Prazyah -  “Tsviriyo”
Ba Shupi – “Dura”
Jah Prayzah – “Kumbumura Mhute”
Mokoomba  – “Rising Tide”

Best Contemporary Choral Music
UFI Choir – “Devine Solutions Vol 2”
UFI Choir – “Devine Solutions Vol 3”
Women Praise – “Wakanaka”
Zimpraise – “The covenant”
UFI Choir – “We Are Family Vol 1”

Best A’Capella
Pastor J Munyanyi & VaEfeso Apostolic Church – “Canaan”
Black Umfolosi – “Summertime”
Samson Tavengwa – “Inyasha”
Tehillar Worshipers – “Shungu Dzangu”
Samson Tavengwa – “NaJesu Zvinoita”

Best Sungura Music
Suluman Chimbetu – “Syllabus”
Francoman    Phuma – “Kimi”
Somandla Ndebele – “Zvemberi Makasa”
Romeo Gasa – “Pin Code”
Gonora Sounds – “Wawacha”

Best Hip Hop Music
Trey XL – “Fresh President”
Tehn Diamond – “Tehn Diamond”
Stunner – “Vatikomborera”
KLAP – “Hip hop Mosaic”
Best House Music
Djembe Monks – “Deep Love and Drums”
Khuxxman – “Vumelani Isangoma”
Skaiva     – “Skaiva Singles”
Defined House – “It’s Time”
Dr Clarence – “Mbiratronix House Mix”

Best R&B / Soul Music
Varaidzo Nyakunyika – “Varaidzo Singles”
Jay Mashaire – “Addiction”
Sanii Makhalima – “Evolution Reloaded”
Audius – “House of Stones”
Tariro neGitare – “Tariro neGitare”

Best Afro Pop Music
Shingai Mangoma – “Hokoyo”
Magen’a – “Magen’a Music”
ExQ – “Music Bank”
L Kat – “Goodlife”
Xtra Large – “Large and in Charge”

Best Dancehall Music
Jimmy Wailer    “Voice in the Waves”
Soul Jah Love    Ndini uya uya
Shinsoman    No Doubt
Sniper Storm    Silver Bullet
Hebron Mash    “Chigiyo Roots Revival”

Best Jazz Music
Prince Kudakwashe Musarurwa     “Gogodera”
Ruzivo and Clare Nyakujara    “Ndega zvangu”
Clare    “Unleashed”
Alexio Kawara    “Tose”
Malimbah    “African Sun”

Best Traditional Gospel Music
Kudzi Nyakudya    “Mabasa”
Sis Thoe    “Jehova Nkosi Yami”
Fungisai Mashavave    “Social Facts”
Mathias Mhere    “Anoita Minana”
Pastor Olindah Marowa Ziwenga    “Jehovah Tshuvah”

Best Contemporary Gospel Music
Alexander Zinyongo    “Open Heavens”
Hick Gwarimbo    “My Heart My Guitar”
Sabastian Magacha    “Tinaye Faithful God”
Pastor G    “Unstoppable”
Alexander Zinyongo    “Gospel hour”

Best Alternative Music
Mzoe7 Mr Gagagugu    “The Moogunation”
Yolanda Candice    “Yolanda Candice”
Cynthia Mare    “Songs My Mother Loved”
Selmor Mtukudzi    “Expressions”
Edith Weutonga    “Songs My Mother Loved”

Best Collaboration
Fungisai     “Gore Rapera”
Sani Makhalima ft Umsindo All Stars    “Zvachose”
Ngonie ft Tally B    “Zvaunondiita so”
Sabastian Magacha ft Bethany Pasinawako    “1+1”
Madiz ft Nox    “Anondisparka”
Best Single
DJ Stavo    “Ingoma”
Ngonie Kambarami    “I Have Come a Long Way”
Trevor Dongo    “Handisi Kumira”
Cynthia Mare    “Zuvarimwe (Dai Zvaibvira)”
Winky D    “Pazvikona”

Best Music Video of the Year
Andy Cutta    “Juice Box”    Alaina
Andy Cutta    “Waiting for Love”    Blackbird
Bless Gatsi    “Ndashamisika”    Trevor Dongo
Nick Compas    |Ingoma”    DJ Stavo
Slimmerz    “Zvandadiwa”    Nox

Best Producer of the Year
Macdonald Chidavaenzi    “Eternity”    Trevor Dongo
T Mann    “The Singles Collection 2012”    Various Artists
Russel Chiradza    “This Is Hit Singles”    Various Artists
Sani Makhalima     “Evolution Reloaded”    Sanii Makhalima
Mono    “Anatha Brick 6 compilation”    Various Artists

Best Engineer of the Year
Warren H    “Women of South Samora”    Women of south Samora
Obediah Matulana    “Isimbazu/Chimbadzo”    Obediah Matulana
Dr Clarence    “Mbiratronix House Mix”    Dr Clarence
Gabz Fire    “Let Jah Rise”    Gabz Fire

Special Categories

Best Male
1. Soul Jah Love – “Ndini Uya Uya”
2. Shinsoman – “No Doubt”
3. Sniper Storm – “Silver Bullet”
4. Jah Prayzah – “Tsviriyo”
5. Sabastian Magacha – “Tinaye Faithful God“

Best Female
1.    Cynthia Mare – “Songs My Mother Loved”
2.    Pastor Olinda Marowa Ziwenga – “Jehovah Tshuvah”
3.    Edith Weutonga – “Kwacha”
4.    Fungisai Mashavave – “Social Facts”
5.    Clare – “Unleashed”

Best New Comer
1.    Malimbah – African Sun
2.    MMT – MMT LP
3.    Davina Green – Davina Green
4.    Yolanda Candice – Yolanda Candice
5.    Skaiva- Skaiva Singles

Album Of The Year
1. Jah Prayzah – “Tsviriyo”
2. Soul Jah Love – “Ndini Uya Uya”
3. Mathias Mhere – “Anoita Minana”
4. Tehn Diamond – “Tehn Diamond”
5. UFIC – “We Are Family”

Best Duo/Group
1. UFI Choir – “We Are Family”
2. Black Umfolosi – “Summertime”
3. Mawungira Enharira- “Ndodyiwa Nemakava”
4. Zimpraise – “The Covenant”
5. Malimbah

Chairman’s Award:
Dickson Chingaira – Cde Chinx

While churches in Zimbabwe are classified as non-profit making organizations, a lot of churches have gone into the business of selling.

In a vox pop with church goers and non-church goers, RelZim has established that some churches are recording brisk business as they sell church items that church goers scramble for at exorbitant prizes.

Most Pentecostal churches have joined the frenzy selling church items from anointing oil, hander kerchiefs, fruits, wrist bands, mugs, stickers, calendars among others.

Some of the things sold are a necessity to believers such that despite the prizes, church goers have to strive to buy the items.

Amon Moyo (36) said he attended a sermon of a Pentecostal church where “blessed” oranges where sold for $10 each said the church was no longer prayerful.

“I feel some pastors and church leaders are stealing from people. How can people be forced to pay for salvation when Jesus already paid for it through his death?  Imagine buying anointing oil for $10 a small bottle in this economic environment where most of us are struggling.

“I think these things should actually be offered for free. If there are costs involved then the church as a whole should take care of the costs and members be given for free,” he said

Hilda Ncube concurred and said, “The church is loosing its mandate. The church is for all people including the poor. If they sell anointing oil which they say heals, brings blessings or prevents bad things from happening what happens to the poor who cannot afford.

“I always see the Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries on Yadah Television and most people giving testimonies talk about buying discs and the anointing oil. I have always wondered what will then happen to the poor who cannot even afford meals. These things should be given for free,” she suggested.

However, Joy an elder in one of the churches, defended the church leaders and said most of the money realised during sales was for charity.

“These things are sold to recuperate costs and also some of the proceeds are channeled to the poor in society. Most churches do community work and donate to the needy,” he said

Most of the interviewees agreed that most of the upcoming churches are mainly for the elite class due to the prizes of the church products.

In some churches people are forced to buy blessed bricks for as much as $10. These bricks are said to be bestowed with blessings that will make the followers to own houses, anointing oil charges vary according to the size of bottles while wrists bands vary from one Pentecostal church to another.

A bicycle was the only way they had to travel from one United Methodist congregation to another in 1977, recalled two pastors who found much to celebrate at the Ebenezer Convention, the largest United Methodist Church convention ever held in Zimbabwe.

The Rev. Kelvin Mwandira and the Rev. Jairos Mafondokoto, graduates of the United Theological College in Harare, said the Ebenezer Convention itself shows the denomination has reached new heights in Zimbabwe. More than 55,000 United Methodists from around the world attended the Saturday afternoon session of the convention held Aug. 15-17 at the National Sports Stadium.

When he started out, pastors in Zimbabwe got a bicycle when they graduated from college, Mafondokoto said.

“The annual conference gave each pastor a bicycle and we had to pay for it in installments.  Years later, we were given motorbikes, which we also had to pay for,” he said.

His first appointment was at Zimunya Circuit and was comprised of 12 stations – now referred to as local churches.

“The furthest distance I travelled on that bicycle was from Munyarari to Rimiti and Himalaya stations, about 28 kilometers (17.36 miles).  At times I walked or used buses depending on my mission,” Mafondokoto said.

It was impossible to visit two congregations in a week. “I would leave home on Tuesday in order to start my visitations on Wednesday. Thursdays were a day for home visits and station administration duties, while Fridays were reserved for the women’s union, Rukwadzano Rwe Wadzimai, and meetings.”

Sunday was for preaching and meeting with church committees. He rested on Monday before setting out for the next station. This routine usually meant Mafondokoto spent three weeks away from his family, relying on the goodwill of the congregation to provide accommodations.

Pastor lived in two classrooms Mwandira faced many challenges during his early years in Bulawayo.

“I was one of the first pastors of Bulawayo West Circuit and when I arrived with my family, we discovered there was no parsonage,” Mwandira recalled.

He was offered two classrooms where he lived for a year. Then the church leased a four-room house with an outdoor toilet for him.

Mwandira said the congregation he served at the time included some members who lived in the city’s affluent suburbs, but said they were not disturbed by his living and working conditions.

“The congregation accepted the way we lived and worked. They thought we were better than our predecessors who walked since they had no bicycles, and ate a diet that included blackjack weeds (nhungumira).” Blackjack weeds are a common vegetable in Africa.

Mafondokoto said the level of giving in the church has greatly increased, resulting in better conditions for pastors.

“I remember a time when we were not paid salaries. Quarterly conferences were convened every three months where the 12 stations under my charge would gather and contribute finances to a common pool.  The budget was written on a blackboard and the first item on the list was my tuso (compensation).”

The top priority expense was food for the conference delegates. The food included bread, ingredients for making tea, and a goat to slaughter for the main meal of the day, Mafondokoto said.

“Silver coins were used to purchase food while the remainder of the collection, usually pennies, were tied up in a handkerchief and handed to me as tuso. We have witnessed tremendous growth and pastors today have fixed salaries and fixed paydays. Circuits have good accommodation and new motor vehicles for pastors to use,” Mafondokoto said.

Ebenezer Convention was milestone for church Mwandira recalled going five months without pay.

“I stayed five months without a circuit during the country’s liberation war when some churches were closed, and therefore had no income until my appointment to Bulawayo West on March 9, 1979.”

Mwandira says challenges But he welcomed those challenges, which he said made him prayerful.

“I worked as a pastor for 27 years before I was appointed district superintendent, which was another level of ministry for me,” he said.

Mwandira said the Ebenezer Convention was a milestone. “We are opening a new page for the church’s ministry.  Ebenezer Convention is not the conclusion of the story,” he said.

Mafondokoto said the convention held great meaning for him. “To be able to meet in the country’s biggest stadium is a far cry from the bush camping we used to do where the hosting circuit spent two weeks building grass shelters for use during conventions.”

“I have travelled far and so has the church.”

Chikwanah is a communicator of the Zimbabwe East Annual Conference.

The Harare City council risks losing out on investment partnerships it has with Christian denominations if it continues to hide loan acquisition information and other information relating to how it manages revenue it collects from residents, the Evangelical Fellowhsip of Zimbabwe has warned.

Our appeal and encouragement to the council is that they should know that there is a lot of expectations from the Christian community in terms of much of service are we going to give back to the community having known that a lot has been given to us. So we are talking about good stewardship.

“May we be able to be responsible enough, be able to account for every cent given but also be able to account for the time, for the resources that the residents have been able to entrust as a local authority,” the church’s projects programs officer, Blessing Makwara, told RelZim in Harare at the weekend.

The Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe is currently working with communities which experience perennial water shortages such as Mabvuku and Tafara in drilling boreholes.

They are also supplying water treatment tablets to Harare city council through local clinics.

Harare City Council is under fire from residents who accuse the local authority of entering in clandestine loan procurement deals.

Residents believe that the reluctance by the city fathers to consult them when borrowing on their behalf means that the council is hiding something.

Currently the Harare city council is being forced by residents to divulge terms of the US$144 million loan it acquired from China for the rehabilitation of the Morton Jeffry water works.

High flying gospel outfit , Worship Addicts has released their debut DVD ,Worship Altar which has since hit the streets by storm.

The video, a compilation of the gospel ensemble’s hits since Worship Addicts Volume 1 recorded in 2011 was shot at Heritage School in Harare in June will put face to the most sought after group at the the moment.

Changamire Muponesi  and Ndotsvaga Imi are some of the new tracks which feature on the new album and brings a new feel to the Worship Addicts brand.

It also carries popular tracks like Prayer for Zimbabwe which has become a defacto national anthem, Umoya Wami Ulambile and Agere Pachigaro.

The album which was launched at the Apostolic Faith Mission in Zimbabwe (AFM) Rufaro conference and last week at Harvest House International Church conference has been received with good sales on the market.

Band leader, Takesure Zamar Ncube who was recently in the UK for a series of shows with Zimpraise, Thembelani and Joyous’ Mukhululi Bhebhe is elated by the release of the debut DVD which comes 4 years after bursting onto the gospel scene.

Zamar, as he is affectionately known is now a household name in Zimbabwe and this video is set to give him the impetus in a competitive industry.

Ncube said the album is an expression of his love for God.

“We gathered to love Jesus and express our awe of His greatness and in the process decided to record the moments for believers who could not be there ” he said.

Worship Alters, focuses on real life worship experiences. This latest series follows the success of the Worship Addicts Devotionals (four albums to date), Praise Addicts (two albums) and the Zamar series (one album).

“This video was long overdue and i believe it will help our fans worship God better through the devotional songs,” Ncube said.

Live DVD recordings have suddenly become a hit after groups like Zimpraise set the trend, whilst other musicians are still content with the traditional videos.

A building linked to TB Joshua, one of Nigeria’s best known preachers and televangelists, has collapsed in Lagos, killing at least three people.

The two-storey structure was a guesthouse for members of Mr Joshua’s Synagogue Church of All Nations.

Eighteen people had been taken to hospital and scores were still trapped in the rubble, rescue official Ibrahim Farinloye told AFP news agency.

Mr Joshua – also known as the Prophet – regularly preaches to vast crowds.

His services, at a mega-church in Lagos’s Ikotun district, are known for attracting thousands of people, AFP reports.

Followers in Nigeria and abroad believe he has the gifts of healing and prophecy.

The guesthouse was being extended, with three additional floors, when it collapsed.

Its occupants are thought to have included many foreign visitors.