Respected African traditionalist and acclaimed academic, Gordon Chavhunduka, says that this new phenomenon of people turning in large numbers to prophets points to a trouble nation that is failing to heal itself.
People are stressed by the economic hardships of these times. And their politicians are providing no answers. So, at the end of the day they follow prophets who at least pretend to offer solutions to their problems.
Historically, many Zimbabweans have consulted traditional healers and prophets when misfortunes strike. According to the celebrated professor, this epoch is no different – but hardships are now more acute.
"People always turn to religion when they are faced with problems and this is the case in Zimbabwe today. People are not happy with their situation. Some have problems sending children to school while others do not have food to eat, so they end up visiting prophets and n’angas in order to get solutions,” said Chavhunduka.
Indeed churches in the country are growing constantly. One person who has grabbed widespread attention is Emmanuel Makandiwa, a man who at one point filled the giant national Sports Stadium, which has a capacity of 60 000.
A vagrant from Mbare, Amai Praise, has also been pulling massive crowds. In the dirty streets of the densely populated suburb, where the pong from rivulets of sewage is all-pervasive, she is said to work miracles.
People from all walks of life actually step on each other’s toes to get to the woman who vendors say has no home. Mai Praise (nobody knows her real name) is being courted by Zanu (PF)'s Chipangano, which controls most of the business at Zimbabwe's prime vegetable market and biggest bus terminus.
Many people have also been enthralled by Makandiwa, a young man of 34. So huge has been his following that he now travels in the trendiest of vehicles complete with bodyguards. He is currently facing a lawsuit over a cellphone project and is said to be outside the country.
Makandiwa is one a new breed of prophets who are now number in their hundreds.
With the unemployment rate hovering around 90 percent, many Zimbabweans have no source of income and are desperate. This desperation, says Chavhunduka, drives them to consult prophets or n’angas.
“People are looking for employment and the government has failed to provide it. When people go into their own businesses they consult healers for success and sometimes they are assisted and then spread the word to others. This how prophets and n’angas end up having fame,” he said.
But, while some people claim to have been healed there are many who have confirmed being raped, or robbed of their hard-won money by the prophets.
Reverend Obadiah Musindo said that in order for people to establish whether prophets are true or false they should carefully observe their works.
“If a prophet talks about money and never about the poor, then that person is not a true prophet. What we are seeing is a fulfillment of the scriptures that during the end times many fake prophets will rise, people should therefore be careful. We should however, also remember that we are also blessed with true prophets,” said Musindo.
Post published in: News