Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. AT 111 years old, Aaron Munodawafa audibly sang his favourite hymn Jerusarema Musha Wangu defying his advanced age.
After the hymn, he begins speaking in tongues, something that has turned into a culture.
This is the tale of Munodawafa, a leader of Mugodhi Apostolic Faith Church (MAFC), who has made history by being one of the oldest citizens in the country.
He has lived for more than 10 decades.
Now, he has since lost his eyesight and can no longer walk on his own.
“As a family we feel so honoured and blessed,” said Munodawafa’s nephew, Prince Machiridza.
“He has put the name of the family on the map.
“He is a blessing to both the church and family.
“We attribute his long life to the grace of God.”
Munodawafa was born on January 16, 1914 in Gutu, Masvingo province.
He only moved to Gokwe after his wife passed away and is currently being taken care of by his second born son.
The revered cleric’s first child was born in 1943 while his last born was born in 1988.
Munodawafa has lost two wives and three of his children.
His first wife died in 1970 and he later remarried.
His second wife died in 2016.
He boasts 45 grandchildren and 62 great grandchildren.
Despite being under the custody of his son, MAFC is taking care of the ageing leader as per the norm.
“He is earning a bishop’s welfare and being taken care of by church members, who always give him gifts,” said MAFC’s legal adviser and church member Davison Mangoma.
Due to his incapacitation, MAFC is currently being led by acting bishop Phillip Musuva.
“Bishop Munodawafa is our substantive leader. However, according to our constitution, due to incapacitation, his deputy takes the leading role in an acting capacity,” Mangoma said.
“We are blessed to have him as our leader. We have seen the hand of God in him.”
Asked whether speaking in tongues could be mistaken as blabbering due to advanced age, Mangoma said: “He is a prophet and a gifted man of God who, for some time even in his prime days, he would always speak in tongues.”
Munodawafa was ordained to be a full reverend in 1962 by MAFC’s founding leader Elijah Mugodhi.
He is the only surviving member of the leadership that was ordained by Mugodhi.
He became MAFC vice-bishop after the death of vice-bishop Mupimbira of Buhera.
Munodawafa became bishop after the demise of Tadeau Mugodhi in 2019.
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