Zimbabwe’s economy adds to retirees’ misery
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The Rev. Kenneth Shamu, a retired United Methodist
pastor in Zimbabwe, no longer receives any pension from the church and
struggles to survive.
UMNS photos by Kathy L. Gilbert.
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By Kathy L. Gilbert*
April 3, 2008 | HARARE, Zimbabwe (UMNS)
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"The economy changes every two weeks," says retired pastor Lovemore Nyanungo, referring to Zimbabwe's economic crisis.
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Selling little yellow balls of "Cockroach Kill" used to help the Rev. Kenneth Shamu put food on the table.
Now even income from that small business is gone because the soaring
inflation rate in Zimbabwe has made it impossible to buy the ingredients
— sugar, eggs and Borax.
Creative solutions have helped the Shamus survive since his
retirement as a United Methodist pastor in 1995. Shamu stopped receiving
any pension funds from the church in 2004. Even before they stopped, he
was not receiving enough to live on, he said.
Zimbabwe’s political and economic situation only adds to the misery.
"The economy changes every two weeks," said the Rev. Lovemore
Nyanungo, who retired from active ministry after serving the church for
39 years.
The government of Zimbabwe sets the current inflation rate around
7,000 percent, but independent estimates put it at 13,000 percent or
higher.
A liter of petrol costs Zim$12 million (US$3 on the parallel market),
up from Zim$6 million (US$1.60) late last year. It costs bus commuters
Zim$3 million (just under a dollar) for an average trip — three times
more than they paid just before last Christmas.
It is reported that four out of five of the country’s 12 million
people live below the poverty line and a quarter have fled, mainly to
neighboring countries.
"I really appreciate the help of the local church," Nyanungo said.
But even with that help, he still has to carefully consider how much he
and his wife spend and what activities they do. At times, he also must
rely on help from his five children or friends.
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"It is difficult to survive," says Rosemary Chidzikwe, widow of a retired pastor.
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"I knew when I was an active pastor I would not get much when I
retired," he said. "I think retired pastors should continue to get paid
the same as active pastors or at least a percentage that would be a
livable wage."
The United Methodist Church’s General Conference, its largest
legislative body, has launched an effort called the Central Conference
Pension Initiative to ensure retirees and surviving spouses retire with
dignity and hope.
Pension is ‘peanuts’
Though The United Methodist Church’s greatest growth is in Africa,
Eastern Europe and the Philippines, pension funds are minimal or
nonexistent for pastors in those areas. Many of them have faithfully
served for 20, 30, 40 or more years.
When retired Zimbabwe Bishop Abel T. Muzorewa thinks about the
pension funds for retired pastors, he said he is "filled with guilt."
"The pastors have nothing. It is peanuts; it is meaningless. It
shouldn’t even be called a pension," he said. "Now that I am retired, I
can’t do much about it but talk, talk, talk so others can change the
situation."
A news team from United Methodist Communications and members of the
denomination's Board of Pension and Health Benefits visited Zimbabwe in
2005 to gain an understanding of the needs and the context for pensions
in that African country.
The Central Conference Pension Initiative is being carried out by
five church agencies: the Board of Pension and Health Benefits, the
General Council on Finance and Administration, the Board of Global
Ministries, the United Methodist Publishing House and United Methodist
Communications. The pension board projects that a $20 million endowment
is needed to sustain the central conference pension benefit fund.
"It would be a blessed venture, and I wish all those who have been
enabled by God to have some money in their pockets would pour money into
the pension fund for all of Africa," Muzorewa said.
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"It is difficult, but I depend on God because he is one who gave us this service," says Martha Matongo, a widow since 1970.
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In Zimbabwe, retired pastors and surviving spouses don’t receive regular
pension support from the church. This year, an emergency grant of $68
was provided through the initiative and the Board of Global Ministries.
Zimbabwe has 36 retirees and 34 surviving spouses.
Shamu is glad he took Muzorewa’s advice years ago, when the bishop
told him to plan for the future. "He mentioned buying a house, and now
that is what I tell the pastors I meet," the retired pastor said. "If I
didn’t have a house, I would be suffering more than I am today."
Hard adjustments
The Rev. Willis Makunkie had a hard time adjusting to retirement after being a United Methodist pastor for 34 years.
"I had to come up with some ideas of things to do," he said. During
his years as a pastor, he served nine circuits and a six-year term as a
district superintendent. He still performs some church duties when
asked, such as weddings, funerals and baptisms.
Another hard adjustment for him and two of his neighbors, who are
surviving spouses of retired pastors, is the lack of any money from the
church in their retirement years.
"Sometimes I live on charity, money from family or friends," he
explains. He also tries to raise vegetables to eat, but the lack of
water in his area of Zimbabwe makes that difficult.
"If the church had something to help, I would appreciate it," he said. "But if they have nothing, what can I do?"
Rosemary Chidzikwe, widow of a retired pastor, said she is not
receiving any pension from the church and hasn’t for a long time. Her
husband, the Rev. Josiah Chidzikwe died in 1990. He was able to set
aside a little money and buy the house she lives in, she said. Some of
their income came from a maize-grinding mill they once operated for the
community.
"It is difficult to survive," said Chidzikwe, who is not in good
health. "But I think the church has done their part." She gets help from
a sister who lives with her.
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"Sometimes I live on charity, money from family or
friends," says the Rev. Willis Makunkie, who retired after 35 years of
service.
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Martha Matongo, also a widow, said her husband died in 1970, but she
doesn’t remember how many years he served before retirement.
"It is difficult, but I depend on God because he is one who gave us
this service," said Matongo who is also in poor health. "I am always
ill, and I have to walk with this stick," she said, waving it in the
air.
She sometimes gets help from growing and selling yams, and her
children help when they can. She lives with her grandchildren who help
her find water and other things she needs.
"God is providing," she said.
Other retirees share that quiet faith. Shamu said that even though
retired pastors in Zimbabwe seem to be forgotten, he still has a deep
love for the church.
"I was born in The United Methodist Church, and I have never joined
any other church. It means a lot to me. I am a Methodist until the end
of my life."
More information on how to get involved is available by going to www.ccpi-umc.org, writing to ccpi@gbophb.org or calling (847) 866-4230.
*Gilbert is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in Nashville, Tenn.
News media contact: Kathy L. Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
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