About the Zimbabwe Partnership

An agreement signed on June 11, 2010 by Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa of the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area (ZEA) and Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton of the Western Pennsylvania Conference (WPA). This agreement  known as Chabadza, a Shona word that describes a community spirit of helping someone you know who is already at work.

“It is not a partnership that will start on material things,” said Bishop Nhiwatiwa in a rousing sermon. “Chabadza is based on relationships -- relationships which are built on strong love and a strong foundation. Chabadza takes place when people agree to live together harmoniously.”

Chabadza, which has the Shona word for hoe (badza) as its root, was described as a community spirit of helping someone you know who is already at work.

As the Bishop explained it, when you go to work in the field, you take extra hoes “because some friends and neighbors may pass through and give us chabadza. They would join us to hoe in the field. If you are lucky, you have so many friends you run out of hoes.”

Giving Chabadza says, “What you are doing is good. I will give you my time; I give you my attention; it’s good for us all,” he explained.

Mutual respect as children of God is key.