SMALL and Medium Enterprises Development minister Sithembiso Nyoni has encouraged churches to venture into small-scale businesses.
PRIVILEGE SHOKO OWN CORRESPONDENT
Speaking at the ordination ceremony of 66 bishops from different denominations under the Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe (ACCZ) at the Large City Hall on Saturday, Nyoni said church leaders should stand firm and uplift the lives of the ordinary people that made them bishops.
She urged them to form small groups and work together to start prosperous new small businesses.
“As Christians, we should work together, form small groups, do savings and make proposals on the projects you want to work on,” Nyoni said.
Nyoni said her ministry runs the Small Enterprises Development Co-operation (Sedco) that assists small businesses to get bank loans as start-ups.
She said banks had the capital to assist those with small businesses with loans ranging from $2 000 to $200 000.
“As a Parliament, we do not have capital to give businesses but there is Sedco and the banks, which include Steward, Eco Bank, CBZ, CABS, FBC, NMB and ABC,” Nyoni said.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“The ministry will make a follow-up on the prepositions you have made and if the banks do not grant loans, report back to me and we will engage them.”
She blamed corruption on the hesitancy by Christians to run for high office or engage in business.
“There is corruption because Christians do not have high positions in businesses, Parliament and the government. Christians are needed. Go and make projects. ZimAsset should be forwarded to the churches,” Nyoni said.
ACCZ president archbishop Johannes Ndanga encouraged politicians to seek spiritual guidance in the day-to-day running of the country.
Ndanga said biblically, the political leadership was given guidance by the priesthood and there was need for contemporary politicians to engage in such practices.
“Those we have ordained are the ones who will solve all the problems and there is need for politicians to assist them. Political leadership can never prosper without priesthood. Our leadership should know the importance of spiritual guides,” Ndanga said.
He said Zimbabwe’s economic problems needed a spiritual solution.
“Economic problems and sanctions can’t be solved by the leaders or politicians because they are spiritual. All problems in the world are spiritual,” said Ndanga.
He claimed that bishops from apostolic sects not found on their register were the ones causing political problems.
“Those bishops who just appoint themselves are the ones causing political problems; bishops should be found in the register of priests. Priesthood is taken from the people and ordained by people’s choices in the works of the Lord,” Ndanga said.
Speaking at the same function, war veterans’ leader Jabulani Sibanda concurred with Ndanga that political leaders ought to seek spiritual guidance.
“The leaders should lead with powers from God; the work of God is characterised by good leadership and telling the truth,” said Sibanda.
Zanu PF politburo member and Bulawayo provincial political head Sikhanyiso Ndlovu said there was need for leaders and bishops to work together to build a better Zimbabwe.
“We should work together so as to build the nation and we should not look down upon other people,” he said.
