The Bible and Politics in Africa

Mapuranga, ... The Politics of Pentecostalism and Women’s Ministries in Zimbabwe

the guts, the education and the know how to represent themselves and
others in areas where they were commonly represented by men. With
Zimbabwean society making some strides towards gender equity,
women have begun to attain some high degrees of visibility. Although
Zimbabwean society remains male-dominated (Muchemwa and Mu-
ponde 2007), women have refused to accept male dominance without
putting up a fight. A significant number of women are now occupying
influential positions within the political arena and in the corporate sec-
tor. In the literary sphere, women have decided to speak for themselves
(Mguni-Gambahaya and Magosvonge 2005: 16). Women have even
dared to access leadership roles within the church. They have become
fishers of men: they have become leaders and preachers, particularly in
the Pentecostal churches in Zimbabwe.
The issue of women preachers in the church in Zimbabwe is currently
stirring a fierce debate countrywide, from various sectors of the society.
The media is awash with women Pentecostal ministries and ministers.
One can find invitations and headlines such as:

• Grace Unlimited Ministries: Rizpah 2011 Explosion. Ladies Day out
  with Jesus. Apostle F. Kanyati (The Sunday Mail, May 15-21 2011: 10).


• Woman Limited: It’s your time, Let Faith speak. Pastor Maureen. (The
  Sunday Mail, May 15-21 2011:L6).


• ‘Should women Preach?’ (The Sunday Mail, May 15-21 2011:D5).
  Such articles in the newspapers illustrate the impact that women have as
  preachers. There now exist a paradigm shift, where it was only heard of
  men in such positions of the church. In and around Harare alone, one
  can come across more names of women preachers of the gospel in Pen-
  tecostal ministries such as the following:


• Dr Eunor Guti of Gracious Women’s Fellowship


• Dr Rutendo Wutawunashe of Precious Stone’s Ministry


• Prophetess A.C Manjoro of Women of Virtue Ministries


• Pastor Grace Kanyati of Grace Unlimited Ministries


• Bishop Patience Hove of Elshaddai Ministries International


• Pastor Victoria Mpofu of Women Weapons of Warfare


• Prophetess Veronica P. Mwela of Intercessors International


• Pastor Bonnie Deuschle of Celebration Ministries


• Pastor Delia Mandisodza of Trinity Deliverance Ministries, and


• Pastor Barbara Bassie of Women of Hope and Honour Ministries
  (Dete 2011:D5).