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The Pan African Parliament (PAP) recognises the important role that the church plays in addressing conflicts in pursuit of promoting peace and development.
Addressing a gathering of thousands of Zion Christian Church (ZCC) members led by Bishop Dr. Nehemiah Mutendi in Rayton, Pretoria in South Africa today, Hon Chief Fortune Charumbira, the President of the PAP, paid tribute to the important role that the church plays in promoting unity worldwide.
“The ZCC has demonstrated that it is a church for the whole world, not a particular country. Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi has big congregations across the continents. From the PAP perspective, we recognise that achieving peace and conflict resolution requires a divine approach as well. The spiritual world teaches people to be honest, and fight corruption. The more people join the church, the more problems like conflicts and hunger are resolved. The Church instills discipline in people so that we have a citizenry that respects laws and upholds peace and tranquility. People should be advocates for people.
“As a testimony here, we have people from different countries at this church gathering. The Pan African Parliament is encouraging member states to come up with free visa regimes to promote the free movement of people on the continent across borders,” Chief Charumbira said.
Among the dignitaries at the ZCC Conference was His Royal Highness, Mpikayise Buthelezi, the Deputy of King Mangosuthu Buthelezi (a Member of the South African Parliament and Premier of KwaZulu Natal).
The traditional leader said he attaches great value to the invitation to grace such a grand occasion by Thomas Baloyi and pledged support for the church.
“Bishop Mutendi is uniting the church and the people. Chief Charumbira is not just a Chief but has the position of a King for us the Zulus. Inkosi (King) Charumbira is a friend of Mankosi Buthelezi. As traditional leaders, we encourage people to live in unity. Africa is faced with a multiplicity of challenges including xenophobia and hunger so we are calling for a partnership with the Church to preach the gospel of love and speak with one voice as united Africans. We would like to remove division along political, ethnic, and religious persuasions,” he said.
As has become his norm, Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi encouraged people to unite and shun violence, especially when many African countries will hold elections this year and in 2023.
He prayed for the rains and a bumper harvest, as well as blessings for prosperity, not only for Africa but the whole world.
The Pan African Parliament recently amended its Rules of Procedure during the first session of its Sixth Parliament in Midrand South Africa in a move meant to foster sustainable development on the continent.