The Sunday Mail
Desire Ncube
THE Salvation Army, which celebrated 125 years of existence in Zimbabwe, last week revealed plans to construct a university to complement its efforts in the education sector. This emerged at their four-day celebration conference at Glamis Arena, Harare. The conference was to celebrate the church’s milestone achievements in the ministry of saving souls and was themed “Jehovah Our Strength”.
Present were Salvation Army World Chief of Staff Commissioner Brain Peddle and his wife, Rosalie, who is the World Secretary for Women’s Ministries. In an interview with The Sunday Mail Religion, Salvation Army spokesperson Captain Victor Mafukidze said they were happy with what God had enabled them to do in the past 125 years.
“During the celebrations some of our members brought the idea of building our first University in the land, the idea was embraced and soon preparations will start,” he said.
He said they expected about 40 000 people from around Zimbabwe to attend the celebrations but due to various reasons, which included economic ones, 15 000 attended.
“Our people couldn’t afford to stay in hotels as a result some were staying in halls that are at Glamis Arena and some of our soldiers never liked to stay there. I what to believe that it also contributed to the low turnout,” Captain Mafukidze said.
“Over the period of 125 years we did a number of things that include winning souls for Christ, building schools and hospitals.
“These facilities have benefited a number of people and they brought development not only to the church but of the nation as well.
“Recently we upgraded Howard Hospital, we constructed a new hospital with new equipment and now we are deciding what to do with the old hospital. Again we constructed another clinic in Chigwena in Murehwa area, we are happy because the Salvation Army is penetrating all sectors; education, health and even social aspects.”
He said even during Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle, the church was confronted with a myriad of challenges but they soldiered on.
“At 125 years we are telling people that this is what we have been doing as the Salvation Army, yes economically it’s not good but we still have the mandate to take care of the people.”
Captain Mafukidze said congregants in South Africa were also celebrating 125 years of existence of the church in that country.
“The General, (Salvation Army world leader) Andre Cox was in South Africa during the same period while we had his deputy,” he said.
The Salvation Army runs many primary and secondary schools, among them Howard, Bradley and Usher institutes, and Mazowe High.The church also runs several philanthropic institutions and projects that include an orphanage in Mabelreign and Ralstein Centre, Howard Hospital, Dambudzo Home for the Elderly, Braeside Social Complex and Enterprise House for Projects Training, as well as Tshelanyemba Hospital.
