Chiwenga Calls for Unity, Prayer at St Joseph Guild Gathering in Musami

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has called on Zimbabweans to embrace unity, prayer and shared national purpose, emphasising the church’s role in fostering peace, moral guidance and development. He made the remarks during the St Joseph Guild Weekend of Prayer held at St Paul’s Musami Mission, where he joined congregants from the Archdiocese of Harare.

Addressing the gathering, Chiwenga urged citizens to rise above division and individualism and instead embrace collective responsibility.

“We need to pray for our country, for national unity, and to rise above the spirit of individualism. We must cherish the values of a common destiny,” he said.

“By strengthening our spiritual foundations, the church reinforces the moral fabric of our nation and builds the solidarity necessary for economic and social development.”

He further encouraged Zimbabweans to emulate the virtues of St Joseph humility, discipline, strength, and unwavering faith, describing them as essential qualities for leadership and nation-building.

“Through institutions such as the St Joseph Guild, the church plays a pivotal role in nurturing responsible leadership, discipline, and community participation qualities that are indispensable to national growth, stability, and resilience,” he added.

Ahead of the service, the Vice President toured St Paul’s Musami Mission Hospital, a historic health facility established in 1957 by missionaries. He commended the hospital’s contribution to healthcare delivery, noting that it serves an estimated 150,000 people in surrounding communities. Chiwenga highlighted the importance of partnerships between government and faith-based institutions in strengthening Zimbabwe’s healthcare system.

“We are prioritising people’s lives. Institutions like this are vital to our healthcare system,” he said.

He also underscored the urgent need to improve staff accommodation at mission hospitals and pledged immediate support.

“I have contributed US$4,000 to kick-start efforts to mobilise funding for the construction of accommodation for nurses and doctors,” he announced.

Church and community leaders welcomed the Vice President’s visit, describing it as a sign of strengthened collaboration between government and religious institutions. Local church member Kudakwashe Kadoro said the visit reaffirmed commitment to the values upheld by the St Joseph Guild, while Alex Tatenda Dakamire highlighted the importance of the gathering in promoting spiritual renewal.

“This event encourages men to take leadership roles within families and communities while deepening their faith,” Dakamire said.

The St Joseph Guild Weekend of Prayer, which began on April 23 and concludes on Sunday, brings together men from across the region for spiritual reflection, leadership development, and community engagement. Analysts say such gatherings play a significant role in reinforcing social cohesion, particularly in rural communities where churches often serve as pillars of support. Chiwenga’s address comes at a time when calls for unity and national rebuilding continue to feature prominently in Zimbabwe’s socio-political discourse.

Chiwenga Musami Mission