Paul Mwazha
Paul Mwazha | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 25 October 1918 Holy Cross Mission, Chirumanzu, Zimbabwe |
| Nationality | Zimbabwean |
| Education | Qualified Teacher |
| Alma mater | Howard Teaching Institute |
| Occupation | Clergyman |
| Known for | Leader of The African Apostolic Church |
| Children | 7 |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Church | The African Apostolic Church, VaApostora veAfrica |
Congregations served | Apostolic |
| Title | Archbishop |
Ernest Paul Mamvura Mwazha (born 25 October 1918) is a Zimbabwean clergyman. His followers refer to him as Mutumwa,[1] which translates to "angelic messenger" in Shona. He is the founder and leader of the African Apostolic Church.
Early life
[edit]Source:[2]
Mwazha was born on 25 October 1918[3] at Holy Cross Mission, in Chirumhanzu District, near Mvuma, in the Midlands Province of Zimbabwe.[4]
At birth, Mwazha was named Mamvura by his mother, Saramina. He was later renamed Paul in accordance with the Catholic tradition of assigning newly baptized children a Christian name.[5]
Mwazha was reportedly baptized by Father Schmidt, a German Roman Catholic missionary. Shortly after his birth,[6] he became seriously ill with influenza and was presumed dead.[7] This led to a rushed baptism, during which he was given the last rites before burial.
According to accounts from the African Apostolic Church, immediately after his baptism, Paul allegedly came back to life. Witnesses, including Father Schmidt and the gathered congregation, were said to be filled with the Holy Spirit and reportedly exclaimed in Shona, "Mwana amutsirwe basa, mwana amutsirwe basa, mwana amutsirwe basa," which loosely translates to 'the child has been raised for a mission.'[8]
Mwazha began attending Roman Catholic Catechism classes at the age of 11. After completing his education at a Methodist Church school, he joined the Methodist Church and became a teacher.[9]
Mission
[edit]In 1953, Mwazha participated in a spiritual revival led by an evangelist group from the Methodist church. Interdenominational prayer sessions during this revival led to him forming the African Apostolic Church.[10] His church is estimated to have over 7 million congregants.[11] The African Apostolic Church has a dress code,[12] and The Herald notes that he has maintained a modest personal life for almost 56 years. He has not trimmed his beard, a vow he took when he founded the church.[13]
Devotees of the African Apostolic Church often call him NHUME or Mutumwa, meaning 'God's messenger'.[14] He has been consulted by elders in Zimbabwe to pray for a community that has suffered from a wave of murders and heinous crimes.[15]
Controversies
[edit]In 2020, members of the church took legal action against Mwazha's plans to name one of his sons, Bishop Alfred Mwazha, as the next leader of the church. The High Court nullified the appointment, and church representatives said they did not recognize actions taken by Bishop Alfred Mwazha in his purported capacity as head of the church.[16]
Personal life
[edit]Paul Mwazha has seven children, sixteen grandchildren and at least three great-grandchildren.[17][18]
His wife, Joyce Makaonesu Mwazha, died of diabetes in April 2017 at the age of 79.[18]
Mwazha's sons are all bishops and part of the church's leadership.[19]
Zimbabwe's main opposition leader, Nelson Chamisa, visited Mwazha's homestead in Harare to congratulate him on reaching 101 years of age in October 2019.[20]
References
[edit]- ^ "Paul Mwazha". Pindula. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
- ^ zachary.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help); Missing or empty|url=(help) - ^ "Apostle Paul Mwazha turns 100". DailynewsLIVE. Archived from the original on 2019-08-26. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
- ^ "Paul Mwazha: 100 not out". The Herald. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
- ^ "Code of Canon Law - Book IV - Function of the Church (Cann. 834-878)". www.vatican.va. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
- ^ Pindula is a Zimbabwean online Tabloid
- ^ "Paul Mwazha". Pindula. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
- ^ "Mutumwa Mwazha soldiers on at 99". The Sunday Mail. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
- ^ "Mwazha: Decades on mission". The Herald. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
- ^ "'Give us a signal Mwazha'". The Herald. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
- ^ "Paul Mwazha @100 years: The Amazing testimonies". Bulawayo24 News. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
Meanwhile, the Church commands a glaring following which is estimated above 7 million,
- ^ "'Give us a signal Mwazha'". The Herald. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
- ^ "Mwazha: Decades on mission". The Herald. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
- ^ "Paul Mwazha and testimonies". The Manica Post. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
- ^ "Peace returns to Domboshava". The Standard. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
- ^ ‘’New Zimbabwe’’, Retrieved 2023-04-03
- ^ "Paul Mwazha turns 100". ZBC. October 25, 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
- ^ a b "Mutumwa Mwazha's wife dies". The Herald. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
- ^ "Power hungry mapostori abandon communion?". The Sunday Mail. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
- ^ "PHOTOS: Chamisa meets Paul Mwazha". Bulawayo24NEWS. Retrieved 28 October 2019.