'Mapositori' churches and politics in Zimbabwe: political dramas to win the support of 'Mapositori' churches

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Periodical article

Title:	'Mapositori' churches and politics in Zimbabwe: political dramas to win the support of 'Mapositori' churches
Author:	Vengeyi, Obvious
Year:	2011
Periodical:	Exchange: Journal of Contemporary Christianities in Context (ISSN 0166-2740)
Volume:	40
Issue:	4
Pages:	351-368
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Zimbabwe
Subjects:	African Independent Churches Church and State
External link:	https://doi.org/10.1163/157254311X600753
Abstract:	This article confirms the validity of the well-known observation by scholars regarding the intrinsic interconnectedness of religion and politics in Africa. This truism is affirmed by demonstrating how Zimbabwe's main political parties, Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) and Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), contrary to their public statements, appeal to religious leaders and groups for political survival. Special focus is on 'white garment churches', otherwise commonly known as 'Mapositori', the biggest brand of African Initiated Churches. Mainline churches and traditional chiefs are considered in passing, especially in order to understand the present state of affairs where 'Mapositori' rule the roost in political matters of Zimbabwe. Notes, ref., sum. [Journal abstract]