VHUFULI – Thovhele Kennedy Midiyavhathu Tshivhase urged the church and traditional leaders to work together to build a united and visionary nation, which will be able to meet the challenges of globalization.

He was addressing approximately 3 000 members of different denominations during the third annual Tshivhase Interdenominational Celebration at Tshivhase Secondary school, near Donald Fraser Hospital, on Monday. The function is a brainchild of Thovhele Kennedy Midiyavhathu Tshivhase and the Tshivhase Pastor’s Forum and it aims to consolidate the relationship between traditional leaders and the churches.

Tshivhase said the relationship between traditional leaders and churches is of vital importance because both parties need each other to develop the nation.

“Gone are the days when traditional leaders made important decisions without consulting the masses. The alliance between the traditional leaders and the clergymen will break the communication barriers between the two parties and it will also create a conducive working environment which will benefit the community. Traditional leadership is created by God and it is important to build a united nation before Him. The Bible is the only holy book that can guide us to live cleanly and it is our collective duty to make sure that our nation is living according to the will of God.”

Tshivhase further urged the churches to unite with traditional leaders in the war against HIV/AIDS and alcohol abuse.

“The scourge of HIV/AIDS and alcohol abuse is destroying the future of our youth and we have to guide them wisely so that they may become responsible future leaders. Alcohol and HIV/AIDS are wiping out our youths and it is only through prayers and the guidance from God that we can defeat the devil. We also need to develop strategies on how we can fight unemployment, hunger and crime, regardless of the denominations to which we belong.”

Bishop Mmbangiseni Ratshitanga of the Ngulumbi Revival Apostolic Christian Centre said the Bible has a significant role to play in the consolidation of traditional leadership in the country. He added that the Bible teaches us to respect natural leaders and to work hard for peace and global prosperity.

“Traditional leaders are the pillars of our community; it is important to give them the dignity they deserve. We can build a prosperous nation through faith and dedication, but it is also important to put our differences aside and work towards the same goal of nation building.”

The Chairman of Tshivhase Pastor’s Forum, Pastor Nkhangweleni Nemukula, passed his gratitude to all the people who made the celebration successful.