daniel chigunwe
Veronica Gwaze
NEW YEAR’S EVE vigils in Zimbabwe have become prominent occasions.
Attracting thousands of followers, the events not only promote spiritual edification, but also act as a significant driver of religious tourism.
Drawing participants from several countries, this phenomenon continues to captivate a huge audience, as witnessed by The Sunday Mail Society on New Year’s Eve.
While several areas in Harare experienced a notable calmness, with few public events taking place, churches across the capital were bustling with activity.
Congregants travelled from various places for the celebrations, which have become synonymous with New Year’s Eve.
Members of the Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries (PHD), United Family International Church (UFIC), Spirit Embassy the Good News, New Life Covenant, United Methodist, Methodist in Zimbabwe and other churches gathered at their respective venues for the night vigils.
The faithful from South Africa, Namibia, Malawi, Botswana, Mozambique, Zambia, Angola and the Kingdom of Eswatini attended.
Some believers flew in from as far as the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom, among other countries, for what has transformed into arguably one of the main religious events in Zimbabwe.
Constitutionally, Zimbabwe provides for freedom of religious opinion and liberty to publicly associate and practise.
“Evidently, events such as the crossover night, Easter holidays, among others, come with a huge contribution to religious tourism,” said Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi.
“A lot has been happening around this area and we need to seriously and urgently explore ways to promote religious tourism around the country.”
Minister Rwodzi also acknowledged and celebrated the significance of religious shrines across the country.
“I believe that this has the potential to be one of the most valuable tourism tools that can take us far as it has a huge bearing in tourism in general,” she said.
Celebrations
Pilgrims gathered at the various oversubscribed venues.
PHD Ministries, UFIC and New Life Covenant’s Hippodrome overflow tents were full, forcing some congregants to sit in the open.
By the midnight mark, our news crew had arrived at the PHD Ministries venue in Waterfalls.
The church unveiled its 2025 theme “Abundant Grace and Harvest”.
Church founder Prophet Walter Magaya presided over the service, which marked the end of an eventful 2024 and the start of a hopefully prosperous new year.
He led a mass prayer session, followed by a fireworks display to usher in the new year.
Foreign nationals waved miniature national flags for their respective home countries.
“Today we bid farewell to 2024 and usher in 2025 through prayer, worship and serious reflections to scripture,” he said.
“We pray that the new year be that of abundant grace and harvest for all believers regardless of creed, race or background.”
Numerous vehicles, including cars and buses bearing foreign number plates, were observed parked on the church premises.
Some of the attendees of that vigil were accommodated at the church hotel in Waterfalls.
In Chitungwiza, the UFIC mega church was a teeming sea of believers clad in white, the main colour of the night.
The main arena, which accommodates 30 000 congregants, was at full capacity, while two additional overflow tents also accommodated thousands of attendees, who were able to view church founder Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa live on large television screens.
This year, UFIC will run under the theme “The year of the royal priesthood order” derived from biblical scriptures 1 Peter 2:9 and Revelations 1:6.
“As followers of Christ, tonight we are chosen and called out of darkness into God’s marvellous light,” said Prophet Makandiwa.
“We are a royal priesthood, a holy nation and God’s treasured possession, set apart to praise him.”
Boon
Notable religious tourism events that attracted numbers last year included the “Night of Wonders”, organised by prophet Passion Java of the Kingdom Embassy Church. Bethesda Apostolic Church vigils also attracted numbers from across the globe. In November, thousands of followers arrived in the country to attend the funeral of church founder Archbishop Loveless Manhango.
The African Apostolic Church, founded by Archbishop Paul Mwazha, also attracts believers from around Zimbabwe and outside the country. Most of these believers are often accommodated in hotels, lodges and guest houses. Others either sleep in their cars or pitch tents at the shrines.
Crossover vigils also provide brisk business for churches, visitors and traders who sell food, beverages and church regalia.
After their programmes, some church members take time to visit various tourism destinations across the country.
“We need to tap into religious tourism and find ways to develop what is already happening,” said Plumtree historian Shyline Mathe.
“This is virgin territory and much is yet to be done in this area. There is massive potential. You can even see the number of shrines we have in the country.”
Religious shrines provide a distinctive and engaging experience for visitors, enabling them to connect with local communities and partake in their cultural and spiritual traditions.
Zimbabwe is home to religious shrines, such as Goora in Madziwa (Johane Masowe YeChishanu Vadzidzi VaJesu), Marondera Yellow City (Johane Masowe YeChishanu), Marondera Johane Masowe YeChishanu Jerusalem and Guvambwa Shrine at Sadza Growth Point.
These sacred sites — founded by church leaders like Mudzidzi Majinesta, Madzibaba Lawrence Katsiru, Madzibaba Echoes and Archbishop Paul Mwazha — are integral to the country’s rich cultural heritage and also hold immense spiritual value, attracting countless devotees and tourists alike.
