Ernest Paul Mamvura Mwazha (born 25 October 1918) is a Zimbabwean clergyman. His followers refer to him as Mutumwa,[1] which translates to "angelic messenger" in Shona. He is the founder and leader of the African Apostolic Church.
At birth, Mwazha was named Mamvura by his mother, Saramina. He was later renamed Paul in accordance with the Catholic tradition of assigning newly baptized children a Christian name.[5]
Mwazha was reportedly baptized by Father Schmidt, a GermanRoman Catholicmissionary. Shortly after his birth,[6] he became seriously ill with influenza and was presumed dead.[7] This led to a rushed baptism, during which he was given the last rites before burial.
According to accounts from the African Apostolic Church, immediately after his baptism, Paul allegedly came back to life. Witnesses, including Father Schmidt and the gathered congregation, were said to be filled with the Holy Spirit and reportedly exclaimed in Shona, "Mwana amutsirwe basa, mwana amutsirwe basa, mwana amutsirwe basa," which loosely translates to 'the child has been raised for a mission.'[8]
In 1953, Mwazha participated in a spiritual revival led by an evangelist group from the Methodist church. Interdenominational prayer sessions during this revival led to him forming the African Apostolic Church.[10] His church is estimated to have over 7 million congregants.[11] The African Apostolic Church has a dress code,[12] and The Herald notes that he has maintained a modest personal life for almost 56 years. He has not trimmed his beard, a vow he took when he founded the church.[13]
Devotees of the African Apostolic Church often call him NHUME or Mutumwa, meaning 'God's messenger'.[14] He has been consulted by elders in Zimbabwe to pray for a community that has suffered from a wave of murders and heinous crimes.[15]
Controversies
In 2020, members of the church took legal action against Mwazha's plans to name one of his sons, Bishop Alfred Mwazha, as the next leader of the church. The High Court nullified the appointment, and church representatives said they did not recognize actions taken by Bishop Alfred Mwazha in his purported capacity as head of the church.[16]
Personal life
Paul Mwazha has seven children, sixteen grandchildren and at least three great-grandchildren.[17][18]
His wife, Joyce Makaonesu Mwazha, died of diabetes in April 2017 at the age of 79.[18]
Mwazha's sons are all bishops and part of the church's leadership.[19]
Zimbabwe's main opposition leader, Nelson Chamisa, visited Mwazha's homestead in Harare to congratulate him on reaching 101 years of age in October 2019.[20]
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