Story by Yolanda Moyo
Acting President Colonel (Retired) Dr Kembo Mohadi has called for the continued alignment of faith and governance in building a prosperous nation, in line with the Second Republic’s development philosophy.
He made the remarks while addressing congregants at the 9th Zimbabwe National Thanksgiving and Dedication Service held in Bulawayo on Sunday.
The service brought together faith leaders, Government officials and congregants in a powerful convergence of faith and national development, highlighting the symbiotic relationship between the church and the country’s development trajectory.
Addressing the gathering, Acting President Mohadi said the occasion was more than a ceremonial observance, describing it as a sacred moment of reflection on the nation’s progress and divine guidance.
“Today is not merely a date on our national calendar. It is a sacred pause, a moment for reflection not only on how far we have come, but on who has sustained us along the way. We are reminded that the story of our nation is not written by human effort alone, but guided by a higher purpose,” he said.
Quoting Psalm 127:1, the Acting President said national development efforts are anchored in divine providence.
“Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it. Indeed, our progress in governance, development, peace and unity has been made possible because the Almighty has watched over our land. Today is a day to thank the Lord for the year 2025, in which the Almighty has generously rewarded our united indigenous efforts to build our nation, Zimbabwe,” he added.
Dr Mohadi also highlighted key developmental milestones achieved by the Second Republic in 2025 across various sectors of the economy.
He said the year had seen significant progress in transportation and energy infrastructure development, improving accessibility and efficiency. Among the major highlights in the transport sector was the commissioning of the Trabablas Interchange.
In agriculture, the Government implemented programmes that boosted food security through modern technology and climate-smart approaches, including the Pfumvudza/Intwasa model. The year also saw the launch of artificial intelligence-powered grain silos across the country, increasing national grain storage capacity.
Dr Mohadi said the initiative resonated with biblical teachings found in Genesis Chapter 41, which emphasise the importance of storing grain during times of abundance to safeguard food security.
The Acting President further noted that Zimbabwe experienced a stable macroeconomic environment in 2025, characterised by exchange rate stability and moderated inflation, resulting in increased investor confidence and improved household purchasing power.
He added that the country had continued to gain recognition as a preferred tourism and investment destination.
Linking development to faith and stewardship, Dr Mohadi said the national vision of Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo reflects collective responsibility, ownership and reliance on divine guidance in overcoming challenges.
“As a nation, we rally behind our visionary philosophy, ‘Nyika inovakwa, igodzivirirwa, igonamatirwa navene vayo’; ‘Ilizwe lakhiwa, livikelwe, likhulekelwe ngabanikazi balo’. This philosophy aligns with the essence of this gathering, emphasising our responsibilities as stewards, custodians and owners of our beloved country, Zimbabwe,” he said.
He described the church as a steadfast partner in national development and commended religious institutions for their role in supporting Government programmes.
“The commitment of the church in affirming Government’s efforts in development, as well as making tangible and relevant contributions to national development, is commendable and of great value to the country,” he said.
The Acting President called on the church to remain vigilant, prayerful and active in uplifting communities, in fulfilment of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s all-inclusive mantra of leaving no one and no place behind.
As the nation transitions towards the National Development Strategy (NDS2), the message from the National Thanksgiving and Dedication Service was clear; Zimbabwe must move forward as one, with faith strengthening the vision, prayer supporting the work and development remaining a collective national responsibility.
