the herald
Samuel Kadungure in MAFARARIKWA
THOUSANDS of members of the Johane Marange Apostolic Church converged on their shrine in Mafararikwa to pay their last respects to High Priest St Noah Taguta Momberume who was buried here in Bocha yesterday.
In recognition of his contribution to the spiritual and material welfare of our nation, President Mnangagwa directed the government to grant the late Mutumwa Noah Taguta a state-assisted funeral.
All funeral expenses were funded by the state, much to the satisfaction and gratitude of the bereaved family and the largest apostolic sect in the country.
Mutumwa Noah was 82 years old and his remains were buried in Chinyamukumbu Mountain, where the other Momberume family church leaders were buried.
His funeral passed off without incident.
The late spiritualist, whose funeral drew mourners from all walks of life, died on Sunday after a month-long illness.
His supporters scattered across Africa also attended the funeral.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Nokuthula Matsikenyere led a high-level delegation of government officials, which included Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation Tino Machakaire and Provincial Secretary Provincial Affairs and Devolution Mr. Edgars Seenza, Service Heads, Zanu PF Legislators Cdes Mischeck Mugadza, Percy Muchimwe and Saul Nzuma, family lawyers, religious and traditional leaders.
Deputy Minister Machakaire also helped with a 30-ton food truck.
Minister Matsikenyere delivered President Mnangagwa’s speech in which he described the late spiritualist as an astute leader who worked hard to impart life-changing skills to his followers and bring development to the Mafararikwa region.
Nokuthula Matsikenyere, Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, and Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation, Tino Machakaire, attended the funeral of the church leader yesterday.
“A devout Christian and faithful messenger of God, the late Mutumwa Noah was a truly begotten spiritual child of the Church founded by the late Johane Marange, which he transformed into a powerful sub-regional movement of God’s faithful spanning Africa southern, eastern and central.
“Such a massive movement of believers from diverse nationalities and cultures required inspired leadership that only he could provide. We greatly admired his commitment to the Word and his exceptional leadership, thanks to which our country Zimbabwe is now a well-known spiritual epicenter on the African continent.
“He did more for his brothers and his country. Against centuries-old practices and established traditions, he challenged archaic perspectives to modernize the Church until it embraced secular education, modern medical practices, and a better, enlightened life for the little girl in the church.
“With very little persuasion, he built a modern secondary school which is a source of pride for the church, the community and the government. Today, children and families in the church and beyond accept education and have embraced modern medical practices, including vaccination programs.
“Mutumwa Noah was uniquely responsible for this transformation which cemented the position of the church as a movement associated with the liberation of our country,” President Mnangagwa said.
“I also knew the deceased as a passionate farmer. To this end, he approached the government for land which he put to full and productive use, thus contributing to the overall national food security effort.
“This tradition of agricultural industry and productivity on a commercial scale is now firmly established in the church which is able to meet its food needs, in addition to a marketable surplus. We applaud his leadership which went beyond the spiritual realm, to encompass the secular, thereby serving a complete human being,” President Mnangagwa said.
Departing from the prepared speech, Minister Matsikenyere urged the Taguta family and the church to stay united and pursue the development vision set by their father and leader.
“Some may be determined to sow the seeds of division and disunity in the church and family, but we don’t want that to happen. I urge you to stand united and pursue the vision of Mutumwa Noah.
She described him as an outspoken and direct leader who did not compromise on development issues.
“When I took office, he is the first leader I have visited, and from the conversation I had with him, he was candid and vouched for the completion of the tarring of the Mutare-Mafararikwa road, a request that the government took seriously and complied with last year.
“We don’t want to hear you fight. The late Mutumwa was a man of love and development. The family should stay together. The church must uphold its legacy by remaining intact and steadfast,” Minister Matsikenyere said.
The family’s spokesman, Mr. Philip Taguta, described his father’s death as the darkest chapter in their family’s history.
Mr. Taguta also thanked the government for honoring their father with a state-assisted funeral, saying the gesture will remain in their hearts and minds.
“He had been complaining of aching legs and stomach for a month, and breathed his last at around 10 a.m. on Sunday. It was a huge shock for the family. We never thought it would come to this, and he “It’s hard to believe he’s gone. He was a person who always urged us to be united and work hard,” he said.
Senator Chief Chiduku, who delivered a vote of thanks on behalf of the church, thanked the government for supporting the church, saying the symbiotic relationship should continue despite Mutumwa’s passing.
“Our church is made up of obedient and peaceful people, and we urge the government to continue to treat us the same way you did when Mutumwa was still alive. Don’t mistreat us because Mutumwa is no more, we want the good relationship between church and government to continue,” Chief Chiduku said.
