Gift Mabhaudhi
| Gift Mabhaudhi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Died | October 15, 2021 (aged 68) |
| Cause of death | Undisclosed |
| Known for | Being a radio evangelist |
| Spouse(s) | Kuraimunashe |
| Parents |
|
Gift Mabhaudhi was a Zimbabwean cleric and radio personality. Mabhaudhi was a pastor in the Dutch Reformed Church. As a radio personality, he was known for preaching on the programme Zvidzodzo zveBhaibheri every Sunday on the then ZBC Radio 2.
Background
His rural home was in Chiware, Rusape in Manicaland Province.[1] Mabhaudhi earned the nickname 'The Praying Mantis'.[2] He was the only child to Faith and Mabhaudhi Mabhaudhi.[3]
Age
Gift Mabhaudhi was born on 22 October 1952.[2]
Children
He had sons Tafadzwanashe and Rowdy Mabhaudhi.[2]
Education
He went to Chiware Primary School before enrolling at St Augustine’s Mission in Penhalonga. He later studied for a Diploma in Theology at the Morgenster Bible Correspondence College before joining Radio Penya. Gift Mabhaudhi later took up training in communication specialising in radio production.[3]
Career
He later moved to Chinhoyi, where he started working before joining the National Railways of Zimbabwe as a security guard. Mabhaudhi later went to work in Victoria Falls where he married his wife, Kuraimunashe.[3]
Shoplifting Incident
On June 20, 2004, Mabhaudhi was arrested for shoplifting after he reportedly stole bottles of Meadows Estate Sauvignon Blanc wine valued at $17 360 (Zimbabwe dollars) at TM Supermarket in Ruwa. He paid, according to the then police spokesperson Superintendent Oliver Mandipaka, Z$25 000 admission of guilt fine. He was reportedly spotted by security at the supermarket drinking the wine inside the shop without paying and returning the empty bottles on the shelf. Gift Mabhaudhi was arrested outside the shop after he left the till points without paying for the wine but for other items in his shopping basket.
The reports indicated that his son, who was present during the incident, acknowledged that his father was going through personal problems as he had suddenly started drinking alcohol, which was taboo in his church. The reports also said that Mabhaudhi appeared emotionally unhinged and his son attested to the fact that the popular preacher was suffering from undisclosed trauma or stress.
Mabhaudhi said that after the publication of the story he lost his job and pension. Gift Mabhaudhi, who was the Far East Broadcasting Association missionary director also lost his British visa.[3]
Death
Gift Mabhaudhi fell ill suddenly in mid-September. He was taken for several medical tests but nothing showed. He died on 15 October 2021 aged 68.[2][1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Gift ‘The Praying Mantis’ Mabhaudhi dies, NewsDay, Published: October 15, 2021, Retrieved: October 19, 2021
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Owen Kaura, Radio Evangelist Gift Mabhaudhi Dies, ZTN, Published: October 15, 2021, Retrieved: October 19, 2021
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Sydney Kawadza Snr, 10 years in the wilderness . . . How a bottle of wine turned Mabhaudi’s world upside down, The Herald, Published: June 14, 2014, Retrieved: October 19, 2021
