'God's voice must be heard in Zimbabwe'

Interview with Chad Gandiya, USPG’s Regional Desk Officer for Africa, who has been elected as the Bishop of Harare, in Zimbabwe.

How do you feel now it’s just over a week since you were appointed as the new Bishop of Harare?

It hasn’t quite sunk in. It’s a daunting prospect! But I have also been overwhelmed by the amount of support and good wishes I have been receiving.

What does it means to you to be returning in this way to Zimbabwe, the country of your birth?

It’s my home. I was born and bred there. With all its problems, Zimbabwe is still home. There are times when one looks at what is happening there and feel discouraged. But, also, having spent time there recently, there are signs of hope. The fact that we now have a Government of National Unity, despite all its inadequacies, is a sign of hope. Inspite of all the suspicions surrounding the GNU, there is tremendous hope among the people to. Most of the violence has stopped. Yesterday the supermarket shelves were bare, but today there is food for those who have money. The problem, of course, is that life is still very difficult for the poor who are the majority.

Can we expect to see change for ordinary people in Zimbabwe?

Change is possible if people put their minds and wills to it. And, as a Christian, I believe that nothing is impossible with God.

What about the situation in the Anglican Church? The previous Bishop of Harare, Norbert Kunonga, was ex-communicated for his conduct, but he still lays claim on church property. How will you handle that?

The situation is improving slightly. Kunonga has effectively set up his own church which he is responsible for and I will be responsible for the diocese of Harare, CPCA. There is currently an arrangement whereby the diocese and Kunonga are sharing church buildings while the situation is resolved. Personally, I will not be working with Kunonga. I will be working with the clergy and laity of the Church of the Province of Southern Africa.

Will it be dangerous?

Why should it? It shouldn’t be dangerous for me. There will be no need for special security. But certainly there will be huge challenges.

How do you think your four years as USPG’s Regional Desk Officer for Africa have helped equip you for this role?

It’s given me a special opportunity to see the worldwide Anglican Church at work, which has shown me what sort of things are possible from a perspective of leadership. It’s also given me a wonderful opportunity to establish relationships worldwide.

You are scheduled to begin your new role at the end of July. Do you feel prepared?

One can never be adequately prepared for this as there is no provision for trial bishops. What I can say is that I am ready to face the challenges, God being my helper and guide. I won’t be directly involved with the politics. Rather, as a diocese, we will be involved in dealing with the effects of the government’s and peoples' decisions, especially on the poor. In this respect, the church is very important. The church is God’s voice and it’s important for that reason that the church is heard to be declaring ‘Thus says the Lord’.

Posted on 14.05.2009