The Sunday Mail
MUSIC superstar, Oliver Mtukudzi is billed to perform at the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe’s 40th anniversary of autonomy celebrations set for the National Sports Stadium from August 27 to 20.
The autonomy celebrations will be held under the theme “Warmed Hearts.” This is in commemoration of MCZ’s attainment of self-governance from the British Church in 1977.
Befittingly, the music icon who is leading MCZ’s national praise team is currently working on a theme song for the celebrations while Vice-president Emerson Mnangagwa will be the guest of honour.
MCZ youth and children ministries coordinator, Reverend Noel Nariswa confirmed preparations were well on course.
“As our church member, Dr Oliver Mtukudzi will perform during the celebrations and I can also inform you that he is leading our national praise team that is working on the autonomy theme song.
“Minister Michael Mahendere, Reverend Togarepi Chivaviro, and several church choirs will lead people in praise and worship during the conference,” he added.
Rev Nariswa said his church has a membership of more than 200 000 worldwide hence they are anticipating to fill up the 60 000 seat, National Sports Stadium.
“We are an international church and our desire is to fill the stadium particularly on August 19 because that is the day we are expecting our entire guests. If we manage to attract an over-flow it will be a bonus otherwise we are very much content with just filling the stadium.
“Methodist schools around the country will use their buses to ferry congregants to the venue. This is a way to ease mobility challenges including among our disadvantaged church members especially those in remote areas,” he said.
He added that 15 countries have already confirmed that they will be represented.
“We have secured accommodation at hotels, churches and schools in and around Harare to cater for people who are coming for the celebrations. Some are coming from the diaspora while others are coming from towns and cities around the country.
“Members from countries that include United States of America, Britain, Australia, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, Zambia and Tanzania have confirmed that they are sending representatives,” said Rev Nariswa.
A number of activities are lined-up for the three-day celebrations which include sermons from renowned MCZ speakers among them: Rev Professor Smangaliso Khumalo who is based in South Africa, presiding bishop, Dr Solomon Zwana and general secretary Dr Jimmy Dube.
“On the business front we will have exhibitions from cooperates as well as entrepreneurs. This is aimed at facilitating engagements between congregants and the business community.
“We have invited Government officials, business people, Christians from different denominations. This is meant to show that the event is not confined to MCZ members only.
“Invitations have also been given to our sister churches and I can safely say that a number of them have confirmed their coming,” he said.
