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Address by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai at the healing and peace prayer meeting - Bulawayo
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, MDC
October 03, 2011

The Deputy Prime Minister Hon Thokozani Khupe, Government ministers here present, Pastors and leaders of religious organisations, Fellow congregates, Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen

I am happy to be here today to join all of you in prayer for our Deputy Prime Minister, Hon Thokozani Khupe. We all know these are trying times for her and I thank all of you for standing by her side because we know she is a strong woman who has withstood many tribulations in her life. But above all, we must thank the Almighty God, who continues to bless all of us and who continues to heal our Deputy Prime Minister.

We are here today to join and support her in prayer as she goes for her chemotherapy treatment. We thank her doctors in South Africa who continue to work hard to alleviate the pain, but above all, we thank the greatest Doctor of all, the Almighty God. She has made it public that she is suffering from breast cancer and this is what true leadership is all about. True leadership is about telling the truth and taking the lead in inspiring the people and giving them hope.

True leadership is about withstanding trials and tribulations. And true leadership, like what our Deputy Prime Minister has done, means to be prayerful and to give your life to the Lord. To our Deputy Prime Minister, I want to say our prayers are with you. We know that the Lord we serve is the Lord of unlimited compassion.

"For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds," says the Lord. (Jeremiah 30:17)

"Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up. (James 5:14)
So we retain our faith in the Lord that he will hear our prayers. I want to say I am also happy because I am told that the organisers of this event have decided to make this occasion an occasion to pray for peace in the country as well. Many a time, we have often failed to live in peace in Zimbabwe, and indeed in Africa and the world, because of conflicts arising from differences based on race, creed or political affiliation.

We have fed the stereotype of a violent Africa because of unnecessary wars, conflicts and our desire to mete out violence on political opponents. We have confirmed the negative belief held by Africa's critics by decimating each other through political violence orchestrated mainly by organs of the State. We want to pray against that demon today.

And that is why I am happy to join you today in prayer today as we pray for a God-fearing leadership that will work towards achieving peace and harmony in Zimbabwe. A God-fearing leadership that abhors violence and that embraces the spirit of love and togetherness.

Our unity at this prayer meeting is a great story unto itself and a clear testimony that collective effort is important to ensure that the citizens of this country live in peace, with neither fear nor coercion.

We all want a new era in this country; where knives, machetes, knobkerries, guns and booted feet as instruments of violence and repression are no longer fashionable. As a country, we have been forced to walk the painful road of violence and hatred and we are not prepared to walk it forever more.

We have lost relatives. Our homes and property have been destroyed. We have seen State agents actively engaged in shameful acts of violence and the unbridled violation of the people's rights and freedoms. I, too, have personally experienced this violence and I understand the pain of brutality and indignity.

The book of Psalms 34 verse 14 is a clear instruction to all of us: "Turn from evil; do good; seek peace and pursue it." Zimbabwe cannot afford to slide back if it is to reclaim its rightful place among the civilized family of nations. Across the political, tribal, religious or racial divide, we all want to live in peace and harmony; in a tranquil environment where our rights and basic freedoms of assembly, speech, movement and association are respected and protected.

The challenge of the new crop of Africa leaders is to kill this culture of violence against defenceless citizens so that governments concentrate on pressing national issues such as eradicating poverty, creating jobs, growing the economy and delivering quality and affordable service to the people, especially health and education.

A new Zimbabwe where political or religious differences are not an excuse for violence and unnecessary conflict; where State institutions promote peace and unity - not war and violence against defenceless people. Peace must be everyone's clarion call and I urge you to leave no stone unturned in rallying everyone to support the creation of a peaceful nation.

It is only through peace that we can achieve the necessary stability that will enable us to pursue and live our dreams. As we go towards the next election, you must pray for us as the national leadership to shun violence and to bow ourselves before God.

Let us fight for peace in the political parties, peace in the church, peace in the homes and peace in the country as a pre-condition for creating a better society and a better foundation for future generations. I wish to thank the people of Zimbabwe for investing their faith in this transitional arrangement that has given us a modicum of peace; for choosing hope over despair, peace over violence and a bright future over a troubled past.

The civil servants, peasants, workers, farmers, housewives, students and everyone across the social spectrum have stood resolute in support of the peaceful foundation we have laid for a bright future. I know those pursuing violence will fail!

I have traversed the length and breadth of Zimbabwe and spoken to villagers, farmers, students, church leaders, businessmen, cross-border traders and factory workers. I have talked to bankers, investors, housewives, the youth, women and minority groups and I have been humbled by their unequivocal wish for a peaceful country.

As we embark on this last mile to full democracy, I urge the church and everyone committed to peace to unite in prayer and ask God the Almighty to bless our country. Let us join hands in this last mile as we all walk united in our collective quest for a peaceful and prosperous Zimbabwe, a Zimbabwe where war and violence have no place and where we are united in our diversity.

Our faith in the Lord and our fortitude in waging this great fight for peace, dignity and prosperity should continue to drive us in the coming year. The uniqueness of our situation means that bringing Zimbabwe back to legitimacy and peace is both a national and international issue.

In the words of Psalm 122 verse 7: "May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels." Indeed, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God." (Matthew 5, verse 9)

To our Deputy Prime Minister, may the good Lord be with you!

I thank you

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