Apostle Mashonga

Apostle Ngwarati Mashonga is originally from Zaka District of Masvingo province and is a resident of Chitungwiza since 1996 and of Northamptonshire, United Kingdom since 2007.  He was born on December 7, 1973, in Gwanda, Matebeleland South, Zimbabwe.  He was first baptised by water in Gwanda in a Roman Catholic Church (RCC), completed catechism at St Anthony’s Musiso Mission near Jerera growth point in Zaka District.  When young had stints in Zion Christian Church (St Sununguko, Zion Zimbabwe Christian Church-ZZCC) in Ndanga/Zaka, from 1986 to 1993.    Became a member of Twelve Apostles Church in Christ (TACC) in Masvingo in October 1993 after being invited by the now late Brother Elfigio Mugandani (who later became an Overseer).  Due to work reasons, Apostle Mashonga as a brother moved to Harare, in one of his church journeys back to Masvingo, he was appointed a Deacon in 1996, in 1997 he joined a TACC branch in Chitungwiza. The community was very small with less than 30 members. Chitungwiza is the mother community to all Harare communities, Mashonaland East & Central, itself crediting its existence to some extent and not entirely to Chivhu, Masvingo & Kwekwe communities.  

As a Deacon (1996-1997) he established a sub-community in Zengeza 4.

As a Priest (1997-2001), helped establish a very strong youth system in Chitungwiza, he served Chitungwiza and Mbare communities as its Priest. In Chitungwiza, he was influential in working with and developing the youth and a key output was leading the youth in the establishment of the first recording by a TACC gospel group in Zimbabwe, The Testifying Brothers and Sisters.  They recorded a largely popular album in Zimbabwe – Vakamuramba (with a video which was shown on National TV) and other follow up albums including, Musanyengerwa, Hakuna Denga Remahara, Ndawana Jesu and Pedyo Nemi which had varied success and occasionally getting airplay from National Radio stations i.e., Radio Zimbabwe etc. A much bigger achievement was reviving and rebuilding Mbare community at a time when it was left with five (5) members from a previously vibrant community to become a mother community of all communities in Harare. Mbare community, located in one of Harare’s oldest suburbs, was a strategic community for the whole Harare region of which Glen Norah, Epworth, Warren Park, Mufakose and Dzivarasekwa communities emerged from there.

As a Community Elder (2001-2003) he revived and helped build Marondera Community which was facing difficulties at that time and at the same time supporting Acturus Community, which is currently one of the big communities in Zimbabwe.

As a District Elder (2003-2005) he oversaw the establishment of St. Mary’s Community out of the main Chitungwiza (opened by the then Priest Harrison) which is the nucleus community of Chit B and Harare South.

As an Overseer (2005-2006) he worked in Chitungwiza, Glen Norah and Marondera, Dzivarasekwa 1 (part of the current Warren Park). These are the same communities he served as a District Elder. As an Apostle despite largely resident in the UK together with DA Chingombe oversaw an unpresented growth of region two from being the smallest community in Zimbabwe out of the three regions to be the biggest region in Zimbabwe now with 23 plus subregions

As an Apostle (2006- current) after moving to the UK in 2007, revived and stabilised the UK community which was largely fragmented. Also, in 2007 Apostle Mashonga evangelised and opened Communities in Kenya which are in Western province in Kakamega, in Kisii, Mombasa in Nairobi and of late Tanzania.

What made the Apostle love the church was after being invited to attend the church by Brother Mugandani in 1993 it automatically connected with him in all the facets from the spirituality and how everything was done.

Word of advice from Apostle Mashonga are “Seek the Kingdom of God first and everything else follows”, follow size four (4) as given by the Apostles, be truthful always walk the talk.  Hear the Word of your leader whether you deem or is deemed as good or bad.  Have a pure heart, seek, and make peace, forgive your brothers, and love unconditionally.  Do not judge others, do not speak ill of others, be merciful, always wish others well. Be the light to those in darkness, be the hope to those who have lost hope. Do not be lazy, always work hard, blessings are those who work hard.  If you are a leader, you have a burden to be righteous as Christ Jesus, the Lord and his early followers and must carry the cross and sacrifice yourself for the good of the flock for their hope and aspirations are pinned on you, you cannot let them down. The Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, should lead your mind and soul and not the mind leading the soul, this will always be confirmed by your leader in Spirit.