News / National
'Prophet Makandiwa, Angel constitute Zimbabwe's tourist attractions,' says Mzembi
08 Jan 2013 at 06:18hrs | Views
Tourism and Hospitality minister Walter Mzembi in an interview yesterday came out guns blazing defending Angel and Makandiwa, saying the two should not be persecuted as they constituted the country's tourist attractions.
Mzembi's said the two prophets were contributing positively to the country's tourism sector because of the international response to their "religious attractions".
"Today, I believe securing an appointment with (Nigeria's) TB Joshua is a nearly impossible feat for ordinary people, because of the international response to this famous religious attraction," he said.
"So don't persecute the local prophet. I endorse religious tourism itself as a source of revenue.
"Who is the bereaved or the aggrieved in this case? Has anyone been short-changed?
"These are miracles that happen when God's presence has been invited in a specific spiritual environment and moment in time, the glory of God.
"There is no case between the prophets and their congregations, many of them well-heeled, educated and literate people who are looking for spiritual solutions to their myriad of problems.
"It's the external audience and competitor churches that are crying more than the supposedly bereaved.Why?"
He said if Treasury needed the money, it should go to a church led by its minister, Biti.
"If Treasury wants miracle money and solutions, it must go to church led by its minister," Mzembi said.
"I go to UFIC and Spirit Embassy from time to time in solidarity with the exceptional support they are giving to tourism, notwithstanding my own faith.
"They are a major tourism attraction.
"Their benchmark is TB Joshua of Nigeria to whom some of our affluent classes quietly and discreetly go for their own spiritual solutions."
Makandiwa is on record as saying he can assist people to amass material wealth.
Mzembi's said the two prophets were contributing positively to the country's tourism sector because of the international response to their "religious attractions".
"Today, I believe securing an appointment with (Nigeria's) TB Joshua is a nearly impossible feat for ordinary people, because of the international response to this famous religious attraction," he said.
"So don't persecute the local prophet. I endorse religious tourism itself as a source of revenue.
"Who is the bereaved or the aggrieved in this case? Has anyone been short-changed?
"These are miracles that happen when God's presence has been invited in a specific spiritual environment and moment in time, the glory of God.
"There is no case between the prophets and their congregations, many of them well-heeled, educated and literate people who are looking for spiritual solutions to their myriad of problems.
"It's the external audience and competitor churches that are crying more than the supposedly bereaved.Why?"
He said if Treasury needed the money, it should go to a church led by its minister, Biti.
"If Treasury wants miracle money and solutions, it must go to church led by its minister," Mzembi said.
"I go to UFIC and Spirit Embassy from time to time in solidarity with the exceptional support they are giving to tourism, notwithstanding my own faith.
"They are a major tourism attraction.
"Their benchmark is TB Joshua of Nigeria to whom some of our affluent classes quietly and discreetly go for their own spiritual solutions."
Makandiwa is on record as saying he can assist people to amass material wealth.
Source - newsday
