'Spare us from stereotypes,' says mapostori

"WE are looked down upon, but we are among the few churches with a large following across the African continent as well as having our own schools," say Johane Marange Church members.

The church, which has over the years kept a lid on their beliefs and everyday activities, finally opened up on the sidelines of their annual Passover gathering at Mafararikwa Shrine last Saturday.

The church, which has tentacles across the African continent, was founded in July 1932 by Johane Marange, who was raised and educated as a Methodist. Accustomed to receiving visions from an early age, in July 1932 he experienced a divine revelation in which he was called to be Christ's apostle with a distinct missionary mandate, his first task being to convert the members of his extended family in the Mafararikwa area of Marange. By appointing numerous relatives to the church's hierarchy, he developed an ecclesiastical nucleus that served as a basis of his remarkable missionary career and the growth of the apostolic movement, the largest African Initiated Church in Rhodesia.

For 30 years, Marange travelled regularly, often on foot, through the then Rhodesia and the neighbouring countries of Botswana, Zambia, Malawi, and South Africa and as far north as Democratic Republic of Congo.

In response to his prophetic message of salvation for Africa through the Spirit-inspired proclamation of African Apostles, thousands were converted, baptised, and organised into congregations.

Johane Marange's message included confrontation of traditional African religion and a contextualised healing/exorcist ministry. Setting the example of an itinerant missionary, Marange modelled his church as a missionary evangelising body of African believers without church buildings, involvement in secular education, or the use of medicine.

The church now has more than three million followers in DRC alone and more than two million followers in Zimbabwe. It now has whites in its ranks, some of them from South Africa, who attended this year's Passover feast. They were dressed in the church's traditional regalia of white garments and holding their staffs.

Despite its rich background, the church members are usually looked at with disdain. They are viewed as backward, with little to contribute to the nation's well being, something which is a far cry from the truth.

Some of the church members occupy high posts in Government and the private sector. The church has since seen the importance of education, hence its decision to build schools, with the first one being St Noah College, right in the heart of Mafararikwa. The state-of-the-art school, which has an enrolment from Grade One to A-Level, has changed the face of the drought-prone area with its modern buildings.

In his special message to this year's gathering, President Mugabe acknowledge the strides the church was making in promoting education.

In a speech read on his behalf by Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs Chris Mushohwe, President Mugabe said: "My Government acknowledges with gratitude your crusade in the promotion of education as evidenced by the self-help construction of a first-class St Noah College comprising primary and secondary schools, in record time. I understand that you have already established another primary school, St Makebo Primary School in the north-western part of Marange, while preparing to establish another school in Nyanga District of Manicaland.

"I am equally elated by your commitment as an African church to demonstrate the provision of equal educational opportunity to both the boy and the girl child through your resolve to establish first-class schools.

"It is my Government and indeed my hope and prayer that your vision for education for your children will be shared by other African churches in our country."

A senior church member, Prophet Shumba, said they were sick and tired of negative perceptions people have about the church.

"People look down upon the church. Our church is associated with backward and uneducated people, yet the high office on the land respects us. We have one of the best schools in Zimbabwe and how many churches have their own schools?

"Some people say we are madzibabas, which is not the case. We are apostles (mapostori), period. Our children are equally educated just like any other Zimbabwean yet some people say we do not value education. Our St Noah College has a staff complement of more than 20 female teachers, showing that we respect every child, including the girl child.

"If there are early marriages in our church, how come these shining examples managed to make it in life? Mind you we have members in senior Government positions among them senior police officers. Our children should have quality education and should never be parasites," said Prophet Shumba.

He took a swipe at some non-governmental organisations, whom he accused of peddling lies against the church without first-hand information.

"We are bitter that some NGOs are fund-raising using our name. They are coming up with funny programmes aimed at what they say is human rights education for our female congregants. They are having countless workshops where they lie to each other that we are having early marriages in our church. Our High Priest Taguta has long outlawed early marriages and anyone found guilty in that regard will be dealt with severely. We believe in equal opportunities for everyone.

"Before individuals make unsubstantiated claims they should do a proper research. This is the time to tell everyone that we have a strong stance against early marriages. We are law-abiding citizens, a reason we say the laws of the land should be applied to any wrongdoers in our church," he said.

Prophet Shumba said polygamy was part of their culture in the church.

"Polygamy is part of our culture and there is no going back in that regard. While one can marry as many wives as he wishes, these women should be above the legal age of majority. We cannot run away from this culture, which has its roots in the Bible," said Prophet Shumba.

Despite their large numbers, no public address systems are used during gatherings, but the message is heard by everyone in attendance.

When it comes to singing, the leading singer just starts a song and all other congregants respond in unison.

Mushohwe said the church was an epitome of discipline and humbleness.

"Their leader, Mutumwa Noah Taguta, is a very humble person. He is unlike other church leaders who want their presence felt by occupying the most comfortable seats during gatherings. On all gatherings, he sits on the pavement like all ordinary members. Their church gatherings are not disrupted by unnecessary movements. The gatherings are attended by women with small children, but you rarely hear them crying or running all over the place.

"A lot of churches are mushrooming thereby tarnishing the apostles' good image. Some of these fly-by-night churches are well known for their shenanigans, but a lot of people don't know the difference between these churches and the original Johane Marange," said Mushohwe.

He said he was impressed by the church's decision to embrace President Mugabe's vision on education.

"When President Mugabe first visited the Mafararikwa Shrine in 2010, he emphasised on the need to educate both boys and girls in the church. He encouraged the church to have its own school just like other traditional churches like Roman Catholic, United Methodist Church, Anglican, Seventh Day Adventist, Baptist and Salvation Army. I later had a meeting with High Priest Taguta and told him that it will be an honour to President Mugabe if the church put up its own schools and he was for the idea, hence the birth of St Noah. Initially the school was called Makoto Primary School, but later adopted the St Noah College name in honour of the church leader, High Priest Taguta.

"The church is self sustaining as it drew about 3 000 qualified builders from its rank and file to do the construction work. Within three months the first phase of construction was complete. Mbada Diamonds chipped in with $286 000, but most of the work was done by church members," he said.

Plans are already at an advanced stage to make the school a boarding one.
He said the church should be allowed to exercise their beliefs without any influence from anyone, especially NGOs.
"We must respect their beliefs and ways of doing things. The church is very clear on child abuse and people should not make noise on issues they have little knowledge about.

"Some of the people doing that have numerous concubines and they should be exposed. Other indigenous churches should take a leaf from Johane Marange Church," he said.