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Classrooms: ZIMBABWE

ZIMBABWE AND METHODISM

Mission work in Zimbabwe for the present day United Methodist Church began with the arrival of Bishop Joseph Hartzell in late 1897. Hartzell, elected bishop in Cleveland, Ohio in May of 1896, had already been personally persuaded that there must be a vital American missionary work in Africa. His assignment to Africa coincided with Mutare’s relocation to a new site. Cecil Rhodes gifted the old site to Hartzell for the establishment of a mission. The gift included approximately thirteen thousand acres of land in addition to several buildings and livestock. This marked the beginning of what is now known as the Old Mutare Mission. Africa University represents the realization of a vision Bishop Hartzell received one hundred years prior to its founding regarding the valley becoming a place of education for people from all over the continent.

Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe, formerly known as Rhodesia, has no coastline and is bordered by South Africa, Botswana and Mozambique. It is multiracial and the two dominant tribes are Mashona and Matabele, part of the great Bantu nation. Its major cities include Mutare, Bulawayo, Masvingo, Victoria Falls and Harare. Although the official language is English, the tribes have their languages and dialects. Two prominent European historical figures are Cecil Rhodes and David Livingstone. Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River are major natural attractions. The Zambezi River is 2,200 miles long and forms the northwest border. Zimbabwe gained independence from Great Britain in 1963 and in 1980 Africans won a majority of seats in Parliament. Robert Mugabe became prime minister in 1980 and remains so today. Currently, more than half the population is Christian, unemployment is at a record high and hyper-inflation makes affording even the basic food stuffs difficult. Zimbabweans confront issues regarding HIV/AIDS daily.