Throwback to the late 19th century, a defining era when missionary movements laid deep roots in Zimbabwe’s social and cultural landscape. It was in 1893 when the American Methodist Church chose Mount Selinda as their headquarters, marking the beginning of a powerful mission that would change lives for generations. Alongside Mount Selinda, the American Methodist also established the Chikore Mission, expanding their reach and commitment to education, healthcare, and spiritual guidance in the region. Just a couple of years before, in 1891, the Dutch Reformed Church set up their mission headquarters at Morgenster Mission near Masvingo. This mission became a beacon of hope, providing essential medical care and social services, and playing a crucial role in the community’s welfare.

These missions were more than just religious endeavors; they were centers of learning and healing, deeply intertwined with Zimbabwe’s colonial history. The lands granted to these missions by colonial authorities allowed the establishment of lasting institutions like hospitals and schools that still influence Zimbabwe today. So this Throwback Thursday, we remember those pivotal moments—when the American Methodist’s Mount Selinda and Chikore missions, and the Dutch Reformed Church’s Morgenster Mission, became enduring pillars of Zimbabwe’s development, shaping the nation’s path in ways still felt more than a century later.

Dandaro Online Throw Back Thursday