Bishop Maponga Urges Youth To Engage In Governance, Advises Bobi Wine To Learn System

Kampala, Uganda – In a powerful address, Bishop Joshua Maponga discussed the critical issues facing Uganda and the broader African continent, focusing on governance, land ownership, economic policies, and the education system.

Speaking at the Pan-African Pyramid forum this morning, he particularly emphasized the importance of young people participating in governance to drive systemic change.

“I am quite excited to be part of this beautiful conversation,” Maponga began. “I would like to pitch my conversation to the young minds who have a business to walk into spaces of governance and be able to make an impact and transform the system.”

Maponga criticized the current systems which most African leaders use, that in his view, were designed to make Africans workers rather than owners.

Maponga also highlighted the necessity of shifting from being participants in a colonial legacy to becoming true owners of African resources and decision-making processes.

“The system was never designed to make Africans shareholders and owners; it was designed to make Africans workers,” he asserted.

Maponga elaborated on the necessity of understanding and transforming governance structures, calling for a reevaluation of the current political and economic frameworks inherited from colonial powers.

He pointed out that many African laws and constitutions still reflect colonial influences and need to be reformed to serve African interests better.

He also touched on the critical issue of food security, advocating for the planting of staple foods to ensure self-sufficiency rather than relying heavily on cash crops for export.

“Until we are able to feed ourselves as Africans, planting on our ground what we can eat, we’re going to spend a lot of time talking about an economy that doesn’t serve us,” he said.

In his speech, Maponga also addressed the topic of health and technology, urging for an understanding of indigenous knowledge systems to enhance the quality of life and longevity for Africans.

He emphasized the need for technology to improve life rather than merely adopting foreign technological advancements without context.

Toward the end of his address, Maponga directed a piece of personal advice to Ugandan politician and musician Bobi Wine. He urged Bobi to join the government to gain a better understanding of how governmental systems work rather than staying in opposition.

“Don’t waste your time running into political systems if you don’t understand them. Join the government and learn the system,” Maponga advised.

Bishop Maponga called upon the young African generation to rise and transform their societies by engaging in governance, understanding their heritage, and becoming the change-makers of tomorrow.

More about Maponga

Maponga was on Saturday 26th August 2023 awarded at Fairway Hotel where Pan African Pyramid (PAP) hosted the 6th edition of its awards commonly known as PAP Global Awards, an event that attracted hundreds of Pan Africanists to celebrate their forefathers.

The event that saw hundreds of participants proudly clad in their charming African attires was graced by famous Pan-Africanist dubbed Seventh Day Adventist Church Bishop Joshua Marara III Maponga from Zimbabwe and his wife, Cuban Ambassador to Uganda H.E Mrs.Tania Perez, UN Peace Keeping Ambassador to East Africa HE. Paul Flynn, a representative from the family of Martin Luther King Junior, and officials from various pro-African NGOs, cultural chiefs and politicians. This year, PAP recognized 11 Pan Africanists, among them including Bishop Maponga who scooped African Philosopher Award.

Bishop Joshua Marara Maponga 111 is renowned Zimbabwean born preacher, philosopher, motivational public speaker, theologian, author, writer, musician, entrepreneur and internationally acclaimed unparalled Pan-Africanist.

Maponga was born in masvingo province, Zimbabwe in 1973. The 49 year old moved to South Africa in his early days and later relocated to Swaziland before eventually traveling to the UK in 1998.

The motivational speaker is the oldest child of Lazarus and Sibanda Maponga and 4 siblings. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Personal Ministries from Andrews University in Michigan, USA. Maponga, whose impactful preaching earned him a nickname “Creative power House”, is the founder of farmers of thought Institute and two other non-Governmental Organizations based in Zimbabwe; The Indigenous Movement and The African Indigenous movement. Maponga has traveled widely and has quite a number of followers who believe in his philosophies. He’s famous for many reasons; He’s a seventh day Adventist church ordained Bishop, motivational public speaker, a community development enthusiast and a strong believer of Pan-Africanism.

Maponga grew up with his parents and from a young age showed a good sign of being independent and as such was able to follow his passion and traveled to places where he could fulfill his dreams. His quest for knowledge saw him travel between South Africa, Swaziland,UK among other countries.

Maponga’s mind was originally set on engineering and although he didn’t eventually follow that path, he took part in the construction, entrepreneurial training, which is an initiative of the international labour organization that helps to set up local talents as consultants for emerging manufacturers and consultants.

Maponga’s father ventured into pastoral work, after his release from prison for his involvement in politics. This led him to ensure that young Maponga stayed out of politics and followed him to his service in the church, and as such, Maponga junior has been a pastor in the seventh day Adventist church for so many years and his passion for the gospel endeared him to the congregation.

He enjoyed a wide followership and as time passed by, his impactful ministering caught the attention of senior church ministers, who later ordained him a bishop of the Pentecostal and evangelical community. He continued to make an impact within the church and created his own approach to preaching the gospel.

Maponga’s infectious oratory teachings about Pan-Africanism, the flow, the rhythm and his level of dedication to Pan-Africa isdeals can only be equated to those of his forefathers in the movement, the likes of Martin Luther Jr, Malcolm X, Khalid Mohamad, Julius Nyerere, Nelson Mandela, Patrice Lumumba to mention but a few.