TOURISM minister Barbara Rwodzi has praised leader of Johhane The Fifth of Africa Commander Archbishop Andby Makururu for hosting his church's International Women's Conference in Mvuma, Midlands province this week which attracted 12 000 to 15 000 delegates across the Southern African Development Region saying this creates opportunities for local bussiness, hospitality faculties and cultural exchange.
Rwodzi who is also a Zanu PF Gokwe North Member of Parliament attended the church's International Conference together Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Develution in the Office of the President and Cabinet Owen Ncube who was represented by a special delegate from his office.
"As the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry and Member of Parliament for Gokwe North , l recognise such gatherings of this magnitude as Integral to Religious and Gastronomy Tourism," Rwodzi said.
"Faith based conferences generate cultural movement across Provinces and borders, creating opportunities, for local bussiness, hospitality facilities and heritage based exchanges," he added.
She encouraged women and girls to guard their faith while embracing economic participation.
"Women of Faith must not withdraw from enterprise. The Tourism and Hospitality Industry has space for you, from accommodation services to heritage promotion.Let your spiritually guide your ethics as you build your sustainable bussiness,"she added.
"I would like to applaud this church for promoting tourism in this country in a different way, l am told there are women from different countries which is great,"she added.
The annual International Women’s Conference drew 12 000 and 15 000 pilgrims and was held under the theme “United we serve, Africa we rise”.
Archbishop Commander Makururu said African women is annointed
“We are not gathered here for ceremony,” declared Archbishop Makururu. “We are gathered for consecration and commission. The African woman is anointed for stewardship under God. When we say united we serve, we speak of service rooted in Christ and expressed through industry, discipline and integrity.”
Makururu welcomed minister Rwodzi with a pointed pastoral reflection on the role of the Church in Nation-building
“Women are fragile and only the Church can mould them into full citizens when we work in submission to governing authorities,”
"The virtuous woman in Scripture was industrious and discerning. So must you be. Spiritual maturity must translate into measurable productivity for the upliftment of our Nation and the Sadc region.”
Addressing the young girls who formed a visible segment of the gathering, Makururu shifted into a pastoral charge.
“To every young girl present, you are covenant carriers. Your education is your preparation and your faith is your compass. Refuse moral compromise. The God who calls you also equips you to excel in classrooms, boardrooms and prayer rooms.” Makururu added.
“This altar produces builders,” Archbishop Makururu said. “Through skills transfer and enterprise incubation, we are preparing women to participate fully in Vision 2050 and to contribute to the National Vision by 2030. No one and no place must be left out of development.” he added.
She encouraged women and girls to guard their Faith while embracing
As hymns reverberated across Pamuzinda Shrine and certificates were raised in gratitude, the convocation closed with intercessory prayers for the Sadc region and the Great Republic of Zimbabwe, sealing the Archbishop Commander Makururu mounted the pulpit with apostolic authority, delivering a sermon layered with scriptural exegesis and prophetic charge.
“We are not gathered here for ceremony,” declared Archbishop Makururu. “We are gathered for consecration and commission. The African woman is anointed for stewardship under God. When we say united we serve, we speak of service rooted in Christ and expressed through industry, discipline and integrity.”
“The virtuous woman in Scripture was industrious and discerning. So must you be. Spiritual maturity must translate into measurable productivity for the upliftment of our Nation and the SADC Region.”
Addressing the young girls who formed a visible segment of the gathering, Archbishop Makururu shifted into a pastoral charge.
“To every young girl present, you are covenant carriers. Your education is your preparation and your faith is your compass. Refuse moral compromise. The God who calls you also equips you to excel in classrooms, boardrooms and prayer rooms.”
A key segment of the conference saw the conferment of certificates to graduates from various SADC countries who completed entrepreneurship and women business capacity building programmes under Makururu’s regional initiative. The programme trains women and girls in innovative enterprise models, aligning them with Vision 2050 aspirations of Sadc Member States and the National modernisation and industrialisation drive toward Vision 2030 in the Great Republic of Zimbabwe.
“This altar produces builders,” Archbishop Makururu said. “Through skills transfer and enterprise incubation, we are preparing women to participate fully in Vision 2050 and to contribute to the National Vision by 2030. No one and no place must be left out of
She encouraged women and girls to guard their faith while embracing economic participation.
“Women of Faith must not withdraw from enterprise. The Tourism and Hospitality Industry has space for you — from accommodation services to heritage promotion. Let your spirituality guide your ethics as you build sustainable businesses.”
Ncube said women empowerment and inclusion remain central to National Development.
“The Minister of State conveys that women empowerment and youth inclusion remain central to National development,” the representative said.
“Programmes that equip women and girls with entrepreneurial competencies are aligned with the broader National agenda under HE President Dr ED Mnangagwa to ensure inclusive growth.”