Mugabe God-given says Reverend Andrew Wutawunashe

President Mugabe is a God-chosen leader who has worked tirelessly for the country, the chairman of Faith for the Nation campaign, Reverend Andrew Wutawunashe, said yesterday.

Addressing thousands of people, some of whom came from African countries and overseas to attend the national prayer and dedication service for Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, Rev Wutawunashe said President Mugabe's leadership role was a special gift to the nation from God.

"President Mugabe is a God chosen leader. He was raised by God to lead this nation. He has worked diligently for this country and was given the strength to fight for the nation's wealth to be owned by the black majority, which has been a success," said Rev Wutawunashe.

He was leading the special prayer session that was also attended by Zanu-PF Politburo and Central Committee members, lawmakers, senior party officials and delegates from Malawi, Kenya, Zambia, Mozambique, Botswana, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.

"He has led the country through the struggles against hatred and negative reporting from other countries. I keep on mentioning that his leadership role comes from God and all we have to do is to pray to God to give him long life and wisdom to take this nation to a different level."

Rev Wutawunashe said it was important for the nation to respect and rally behind President Mugabe and the country's entire leadership.

There were prayers for the President and the First Family; his two Vice Presidents, Cdes Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko; the Cabinet and all political leaders in the country.

Rev Wutawunashe also took time to pray for the successful implementation of the five-year Zim-Asset as well as a fruitful agricultural season.

He said he was confident that the country would experience tremendous blessings from God as promised in the Bible, adding that it was important to always bring the country's leadership before the Lord.

The Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Nomthandazo Moyo, commended the church for praying for the nation's leaders.

"God loves this nation. Through the leadership of President Mugabe, he took us from slavery and now we enjoy total independence. What the church has done today is commendable. I would like to appeal to the church leaders to also pray for the revival of industries in Bulawayo, so that the city regains its economic status," said Moyo.

"As for Zim-Asset, it begins at home because the concept of the blueprint is to encourage people to use resources in a responsible manner. I therefore encourage parents to teach their children to be responsible leaders."

Minister of State for Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs Joe Biggie Matiza thanked the church for praying for the nation.

"The role of the church is being manifested in this organisation and this brings socio-economic development to the nation.

"The process of the land reform and the indigenisation programmes touched the nerves of the white people and they imposed sanctions on the country," said Matiza.

The Government, he added, came up with Zim-Asset, which is meant to guide all government programmes from 2013 to 2018.

He said through the economic blueprint, Government was working towards value addition on all its raw materials, as part of its efforts to improve the country's economy and the livelihoods of the people.