Staff Reporter
The church has been urged to take a leading role in fighting the drug abuse menace and complement Government’s efforts to establish a drug free society in line with Vision 2030.
In a speech read on his behalf by Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Judith Ncube yesterday during the 62nd Guta Ra Mwari church celebrations, President Mnangagwa noted that drug abuse has become a societal cancer threatening the lives of the youths.
“Drug abuse has become a menace in our society, which is a cancer that threatens the lives of our youths. Government through its organs is working tirelessly to address this problem and to win this we need to be united. The drug peddlers are in our communities and let’s avail this information to our police and also seek help for those youths that have been affected. To the youth of the church, I call upon you to be examples to others by leading the way in shunning drug abuse,” said President Mnangangwa.
Additionally, President Mnangagwa said that the church was an important stratum in society, which should lead from the forefront in nation building and development.
“From time immemorial, the church has remained an important stratum in society and largely in the State. In our nation, the church has played a pivotal role in supporting the war of liberation from the colonial regime through prayer and encouraging their members to support and be part of the cause.
“We envision a prosperous and empowered upper middle-income economy society by 2030. My administration has called upon all Zimbabweans to play their part in this journey. Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo, ilizwe lakhiwa ngabaninilo is not just a mantra, but it’s a call to each and every Zimbabwean to stand up and build this great nation. I therefore, call upon the Guta Ra Mwari members from the eldest to the youngest to stand up and be counted in the building of our nation,” he said.
Meanwhile, speaking at the same event, the vice secretary general of Guta Ramwari Church, Uthini Moses Tshuma said the church has already introduced several programmes to tackle drug and substance abuse and commended President Mnangagwa, for his message on fighting the scourge.
