Ministry of Tourism to build a mega complex at ZCC Defe as it becomes a religious tourist attraction in Gokwe

MINISTER of Tourism and Hospitality Babra Rwodzi spent 2 days at the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) annual conference at Defe Dopota in Gokwe Defe representing First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa, where she interacted with women and youths as she promised to build a mega complex for religious tourism attraction in the country.

During her stay in the area, she initiated income-generating projects for thousands of women of various ages through First Lady’s Angel of Hope Foundation.

The thrust is to fight drug abuse, domestic violence and divorce through working with one’s hands.

She forged ahead with her mentorship programme for woman and young people, some who are on the verge of entering into marriages.

Some woman had an opportunity to enter the traditional cultural cooking competition held at Defe through the Nhanga/Gota/Ixhiba programme. This program provides woman with more knowledge of cooking the African Zimbabwean food complimenting with the European cuisine.

Minister Rwodzi shows girls how useful clay pots are in a traditional kitchen during her interactive session at Zion Christian Church’s annual conference at Defe Dopota in Gokwe yesterday. She called for protection of the country’s cultural norms and values, as she endeavours to raise morally responsible citizens.

The youth and woman mentorship session comes amid reports that boys and girls at colleges and universities were cohabiting and taking drugs due to peer pressure and sometimes lack of parental guidance.

Zion Christian Church girls follow proceedings during their interactive session with Tourism Minister Rwodzi at the church’s annual conference at Defe Dopota in Gokwe yesterday.

“Thank you for inviting me here, Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi and the entire church members, so that we discuss various issues concerning woman and the youth. Where a mother meets her daughters, a lot is discussed like what is a young person; how do you prepare a meal for your husbands, the way you talk as a child with your parents and everything that makes up a Zimbabwean. When I look at you, I see innocent faces, but there is peer pressure outside the church, for example, at schools and universities. The lessons you get today will come in handy in the future, which will work well when you put it together with what you learn from your parents, uncles and aunties,” she said.

Minister Rwodzi promised to build a mega complex at ZCC Defe Gokwe under First Lady’s cultural hub.

“We have seen Defe Dopota as a religious tourist attraction thereby will seek assistance from my colleagues the Minister of Transport Mhona, Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube and Gokwe RDC to mantain and build more road network from Gokwe center to Defe. We want to build a mega complex comprising of a big restaurant which caters everyone, accomodation and a grocery shopping mall,” said Minister Rwodzi.

Minister Rwodzi said the young girls and boys should not be ruled by desires of the flesh, but treasure themselves and their bodies so they grow up well.

“Humhandara hudamba kamwe, vanangu. You are the mothers and fathers of tomorrow who will be looked up to in terms of uniting people and solving disputes. Today, we learn everything and where you do not understand, feel free to ask.

“I have seen that here at ZCC when you wear the colour white and green it means you are not yet married and those wearing blue and white uniforms are married. There are some fathers and mothers who wear white and blue uniforms but still act as youth. Bishop Mutendi preached very well that dont fool the youngsters. When you are a father or mother stop the tendency of acting like you are not yet married whilist you would want to prey the young souls.

“I also look forward to award woman with some capital to start their own businesses as this year lam told its the year of receiving whats yours (Gore re changu pa changu) at ZCC. But I will award the money to well-cultured woman, who will not embarrass us when posted outside the country,” added Minister Rwodzi.

First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa is on the drive to teach and implement cultural norms and complementing traditional Zimbabwe food with other continental cuisine. The strategy is to bring back the old Zimbabwean taste. The food will be cooked using clay pots as it was used during old days.

The youth including woman in particular at the conference were all taught good morals, and the expected respect. With the First Lady’s teachings, the country will return to its origins. Children are now just walking skimpily dressed as they are aping the lifestyles of foreigners, which are unacceptable here. Our mother and her team have helped restore sanity in the country and all we await are the results and may God intervene,” she said.

Bishop Mutendi paid tribute to Minister Rwodzi who was sent for empowering women in a big way.

“She has empowered the women in a very big way through the Fushai programme she introduced and also joined. She also initiated income-generating projects. As the church, we are the ones who invited the First Lady here so that she helps us restore our culture, because most people were getting lost. The First lady taught our woman the way of respecting their husbands and to ask for everything in love as we worship our God. She was teaching woman not to wait for your husband’s money but to also think outside the box and add value to your home. She said young boys and girls should value education. Let us follow what she taught us so that she will get the results when she comes back next year same time,” he said.

Rumbidzai Mangoma thanked the First Lady for bringing valuable lessons to the church.

“Our mother has brought valuable lessons to us, which, if we put into practice, can truly change our lives for the better. We are so happy for the love she has shown us,” she said.

Similar sentiments were echoed by Brenda Majoni, who said: “Her teachings are pregnant with benefits for the future. This is a great lesson on the need to pursue education and respect elders at all times. This also helps unlock blessings from above.”

Amai Mnangagwa donated food hampers, traditional pots and blankets to the church woman.