The Sunday Mail
Fatima Bulla
“When United Family International Church leader Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa was ordered by the Lord, in a vision, to construct the church in Chitungwiza, one part of the instruction was that it was to be only him and his wife Prophetess Ruth Makandiwa, who were to use their resources until the completion of the building and its dedication.”
So said his spokesperson Pastor Prime Kufakunesu.
“One thing the Prophet kept emphasising on was the beauty of the building he saw and as we can see even as the building is still coming up, that beauty is its trademark,” added Pastor Kufakunesu.
The chief architect, Mr Hammer-Evans Maulana, is really intrigued by the task placed upon his shoulders.
He has had to turn the dream into reality by capturing every idea from Prophet Makandiwa.
Touring the huge building covering over 16 hectares of land, Maulana explains the detail of the Basilica which he had to capture out of the Prophet’s dream.
“This is no ordinary church building that is why we call it a Basilica. This building is a prophetic building. It is something that will speak into your life the moment you walk in. While it is right in the middle of the high density area of Chitungwiza, it will have the power to speak into a life of somebody who doesn’t have hope.
“A person who will get in here will believe that if this can be done then anything is possible in their life,” Mr Maulana said.
The main building which will host sermons and meetings for the Chitungwiza locals has an area of about 9 600 square metres with the building going three storeys up.
While two floors will include a VIP lounge and a large hall to host meetings, the third floor will be a refreshing area for the VIPs.
Inside the main hall, the main stage is between choir bays, where a choir of an expected 1000 people will be seated with the playing band.
“You could call this the first building that will have elevators going three floors up in Chitungwiza. And because the Prophet said this building will have the UFIC symbol from an aerial view, you will be able to see this, let’s say when you are in an aeroplane. The shape of the building will clearly demonstrate that,” Mr Maulana said.
The administration block is a multi-purpose structure. Its special walls enable it to be overhauled to house, for instance, the children ministry.
Then there is a state-of-the-art block of toilets with special rooms for the physically challenged. The women’s wing has dressing compartments.
Towards the main entrance is a huge substation.
While construction had been derailed due to formalities with the Environmental Management Agency, Maulana said everything is now in order pointing to a resumption of the massive construction work.
“Well you know we had been stalled in this work for close to two years because of consultations with EMA and the council, we can’t just take off. We have to start analysing where we had stopped and how we are to resume. When we began the project things were flowing smoothly because our father and mother had been providing for every material needed.
“So I am pretty confident that without disturbances this project can be done within a year or so now that the council has given us a certificate for our land,” added the chief architect.
Maulana said after the state-of-the-art building is completed, it will increase the value of surrounding properties.
“This is not a matter of just building, our father (Prophet Makandiwa) is placing much emphasis on landscaping and detail. There are going to be nicely landscaped parking bays, pick-up and drop-off points for pedestrians.
“You know when involving huge numbers of people, things have to be done in an orderly and excellent way. So I am sure this building will be a huge surprise even for yourselves when its done,” chuckled Mr Maulana.
Maulana said this project is the beginning of great projects to come that will enhance the standing of the nation in terms of landmark buildings.
Prophet Makandiwa founded UFIC in 2008, it became fully functional in 2010. He became the first person to fill up the National Sports Stadium in 2011.
Born in December 1977, Prophet Makandiwa eked a living through farming in Muzarabani. His parents were elders of the Apostolic Faith Mission in Zimbabwe.
In 2000, he married his wife Ruth Makandiwa.
Describing how the structure has impacted on their lives, Maulana said having to be tasked with such a huge responsibility from a man of Prophet Makandiwa’s stature has raised his spiritual lives.
“He is a man who not only thinks outside the box but has even kicked the box away. So to us (Maulana and his team), we had to raise our standards as well. It has also helped our spiritual lives.
“And his humility is one amazing character,” added Mr Maulana whose team has had to pray and fast for the project.
“The team working on this project is from the local area and the material we are using is all local except for one special type of brick. I can’t tell you the value of this project but I can assure you that it will be worth millions of dollars, wholly sponsored by our father and mother. Because this is an instruction he received from God in a dream.
“Otherwise what people might say about using people’s money and such stories are true.
“He and his wife are wholly funding this project. This area had sewerage problems which was flowing all the way. But our mother made sure the problem was rectified for the entire area,” added the chief architect who also specialises in interior designs and detailing.
Prophet Makandiwa’s inter-denominational church has had numerous highlights with the massive November 2014 wedding ceremony which solemnised marriages of more than 606 couples being one of them.
