Browsing by Author "Mudzanire, Suspicion"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    A critical evaluation of the gendered nature of HIV and AIDS programs in medical missions of the Church of Christ, Mashoko Mission in Zimbabwe
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-04) Mudzanire, Suspicion; Mbaya, Henry; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Despite collective efforts by government, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and other key stake holders to eradicate gender inequalities in health issues, gender remains a determining factor that intensifies the scourge of HIV and AIDS in Zimbabwe. This study observes that gender disparities should be considered in inceptions of administrative structures of Churches, NGOs, state health systems and other stakeholders that combat the adverse socio-economic impact of the scourge. This investigation is motivated by the conviction that the church, in its missional endeavours, has a crucial role to play in alleviating the impact of both gender injustice and the HIV pandemic in church and the society. The research explores, from a missional and a feminist perspective, the gendered nature of the HIV and AIDS programs offered in medical missions of the Church of Christ at Mashoko Mission in Zimbabwe. The aim being to assess how the programs are framed for a gender sensitive healing ministry, which is a dimension of the all-inclusive missio Dei. The study takes gender justice as a missional issue that implores high priority attention from the church. The study attempts to point out some gender mainstreaming achievements and gaps in the HIV and AIDS programs at Mashoko Christian Hospital (MCH). It further discusses some implications of the gendered nature of the HIV and AIDS programs for the all-inclusive missio Dei. The findings of the research indicate that the gender disparities in the HIV and AIDS programs mirror the societal perceptions as well as teachings and praxis of the church. While the gender imbalances exacerbate the impact of HIV and AIDS, the epidemic intensifies the deeply ingrained gender disparities in the society. However, some institutionalised socio-cultural, economic and religious factors fuelling gender disparities, such as patriarchy and gendered labour practices, are both preventable and manageable. In light of the mandate of the church in the all- inclusive missio Dei, these factors require the church to play a leading role in fighting both gender injustice and the HIV pandemic. Further, the study attempts to forward some recommendations to the church based on the findings of the research. The recommendations are meant to sustain and enhance gender justice achievements as well as proposing potential strategies to bridge the gender sensitivity gaps in the HIV and AIDS programs offered in the medical missions of the Church of Christ at MCH and probably to the rest of Zimbabwe. The respect for equal human dignity and the all-inclusive missio Dei can be the basis for seeking to achieve the long overdue gender justice in the ongoing battle against the epidemic. In the end, the study also raises some points for further research in the area of Christian mission in relation to gender and HIV and AIDS.
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    A missiological investigation of the role of the Church of Christ's medical missions at Mashoko, Zimbabwe, as transformational development
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2022-04-04) Mudzanire, Suspicion; Mbaya, Henry; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigates the role of the Church of Christ’s medical missions in promoting transformational development in Mashoko, Zimbabwe. The study considers a whole-person approach to well-being, a critical development requirement and a missional issue that demands a more comprehensive response from the church. More specifically, it seeks to address the problem of focusing and acting on physical health without adequately appreciating the interrelatedness of the dimensions of the whole human life – materially, socially and spiritually. The study is an empirical, qualitative and missiological inquiry positioned within the broader mission theology of missio Dei. The study is guided by a missional hermeneutic of mission as transformation as the overarching theoretical framework upholding holism. The investigation draws upon grassroots community members and the medical ministry agents’ knowledge, experiences and understanding through in-depth semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Thematic analysis was used to examine themes, subthemes and patterns of meaning within data. The study interprets the findings through the lens of transformational development to identify the missional task required to summon a more comprehensive and transformative missionary engagement. The study’s findings demonstrate that the Church of Christ’s medical ministry addresses some specific health and well-being needs commensurate with the standards of transformational development. However, there is a disconnect between the theory of transformational development and the medical ministry’s praxis due to inadequate approaches to the community’s underlying spiritual and socio-economic challenges. These findings display a persistent Western and modern compartmentalised view of human well-being within the ministry. Further, the study has demonstrated that the limited participation of the local church and the community in health programmes, and the prioritisation of hospital-based curative medical care over community-based promotive health services compromise the depth of the ministry. Similarly, inadequate professional training for holistic ministry, sustainability constraints, and the dependence syndrome within the community downplay the ministry’s transformational impact. The study argues that an in-depth appropriation of the tenets of mission as transformation, together with some elements of Ubuntu, creates an effective platform for a more comprehensive and transforming medical mission. The study proposes that a transforming medical mission would better address the rural community’s physical health challenges while recognising the value of meeting socio-economic and spiritual needs.
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    Mocking the just God? : a theological critique of President Mnangagwa’s use of the name of God to justify his rule in Zimbabwe
    (AOSIS, 2021-10-12) Mudzanire, Suspicion; Banda, Collium
    Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa justified his unconstitutional ascendency to power after a military coup that dethroned former President Robert Mugabe in 2017 by claiming that ‘the voice of the people is the voice of God’. He repeated the claim in 2018 when Nelson Chamisa refused to recognise him as the legitimately elected president of the country after accusing him of rigging the 2018 elections. Mnangagwa’s use of God’s name to authenticate his rule raises the question: as one of the foundational attributes of God is justice, what does it mean for political leaders openly claiming to be ordained into office by him? This leads to a further question: Has Mnangagwa’s rule satisfied the demands that come with claiming to be ordained by God to rule, and what should be the church’s response towards Mnangagwa’s rule in view of God’s justice? This article uses God’s attribute of justice to critically evaluate Mnangagwa’s claim that ‘the voice of the people is the voice of God’. The claim is described and placed within Mnangagwa’s claims and insinuations to be a Christian. His current rule, which is characterised by violent repression and corruption is examined and evaluated. God’s attribute of justice is presented and highlighted in how it challenges Mnangagwa to reform his rule to align it with God’s nature of justice. Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The article combines insights from religion and politics, the mission of the church in a context of political oppression and systematic theology to highlight the need for the Zimbabwean churches to judge all political systems according to the adherence to God’s justice. It also provides some theological tools by which churches can protect themselves from being co-opted by unjust and oppressive regimes that violate God’s justice.
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    Supplementing the lack of ubuntu? : the ministry of Zimbabwe’s Mashoko Christian Hospital to people living with HIV and AIDS in challenging their stigmatisation in the church
    (AOSIS, 2019) Banda, Collium; Mudzanire, Suspicion
    This article uses the African communal concept of ubuntu to reflect on the ministry of Mashoko Christian Hospital (MCH), Zimbabwe, to people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and AIDS (PLWHA) during the early days since the discovery of the disease. The main question this article seeks to answer is: from a perspective of the African philosophy of ubuntu, how did the ministry of MCH to PLWHA challenge the fear and judgemental attitudes towards the disease within the Churches of Christ in Zimbabwe? This leads to another question: what should the churches learn from MCH’s response to HIV and AIDS? This article only focusses on trends in conduct and not on a detailed history of engaging HIV and AIDS. The significance of this article is to demonstrate the important role played by faith-based organisations (FBOs) in complementing the compassion and care often lacking in the official churches’ response to HIV and AIDS.