The Sunday Mail
THE Anglican Church Diocese of Harare, in compliance with the Norton Town Council, has embarked on a noble project that will see the less privileged and low-income earners acquiring residential stands.
More than 2 000 people are set to benefit. Some weeks back, people thronged the Anglican Church’s property in Norton for the allocation of residential stands.
Anglican Harare Diocese leader Bishop Chad Gandiya told The Sunday Mail Society that initially the project was earmarked to cater for members of the Anglican clergy.
“Initially, our idea was to assist members of our clergy. When they retire they move out of church properties, so we wanted them to have their own houses. We then got land in Norton and opened it up to individuals who were interested,” said Bishop Gandiya.
He said the project was not exclusive to Anglicans only.
The church is in the process of looking for more land as more people have shown interest in the project.
“I am pleased with this project, I am happy that as a church we have made it possible for people to have places to stay peacefully. This is one of our mandates as a church. We should preach to people who have peace of mind knowing that after church they will be going to their homes,” he said.
Anglican Church housing project chairperson Reverend Barnabas Munzwandi explained that the land is divided into medium- and low-density areas.
He added that the Anglican Church through an appointed surveyor had finished surveying the entire area.
“Construction will start as soon as the development permit is issued,” he said.
“The Archbishop’s idea is to assist people who desperately need residential stands. At first, a number of people were sceptical about this project mainly because they had been duped or they knew of someone who had lost money to land developers. As a church, we tried to be as transparent as we could be.”
One of the stands beneficiaries and member of the Anglican Church, Ms Sinodia Makore, said the project came as a blessing as she had been duped twice by bogus land developers.
“I thank God for Baba Bishop Gandiya. He was raised by God to lead and to help us. Even if I die today I know that my children will have somewhere to stay,” she said.
