Faith, Vision and Homes — Destine of AfriKa Unveils Bold Housing Project for Gweru’s Faith Community

Like a builder laying a fresh foundation on ground once scarred by cracks, the Destiny of AfriKa Network (DAN) says it is turning a new page and building forward, determined to transform past lessons into a stronger future for Zimbabwe’s faith community.

On Friday in Gweru, DAN officially unveiled an ambitious housing initiative designed to  deliver 50 000 residential stands and construction support to church leaders, congregants and low-income earners across Zimbabwe.

The programme — titled “Destiny of AfriKa Network Housing Projects and Schemes for All–Christian Leaders” — is spearheaded by DAN founder and leader Obadiah Musindo and seeks to provide affordable housing opportunities while complementing national efforts to address Zimbabwe’s growing housing shortage.

Speaking at the Midlands meeting during the launch, Apostle Robert Mushana traced the origins of the project to a vision first shared by the organisation’s founder in 1997.

Mushana said the organisation’s return to Gweru marks a renewed commitment to fulfil that vision while aligning with Zimbabwe’s national development agenda.

“We came back to Gweru to complement the government’s development agenda and the vision of President Emmerson Mnangagwa under Vision 2030,” Mushana said.

“We are working with the government to ensure that this project contributes meaningfully to national development while empowering pastors, church leaders and ordinary believers.”

Addressing stakeholders at the launch, DAN Chief Executive Officer Gerald Mabika outlined the broader vision of the project, describing it as a faith-driven empowerment initiative designed to uplift pastors, their followers and vulnerable members of society.

“This initiative is about empowering pastors, their congregants and the vulnerable who often struggle to access housing,” Mabika said.

“We are creating communities where faith leaders and their followers can build stable homes, develop businesses and live with dignity.”

The housing scheme will offer low, medium and high-density residential stands, as well as business and institutional stands, providing beneficiaries with a variety of housing and investment opportunities.

According to Mabika, a project site office will be erected in Mkoba by the end of April to allow members to access services and information directly from the development site.

“Only members will benefit from the various stand sizes available under this programme. This is a membership-driven project, and currently we have members in 13 cities and urban centres across Zimbabwe,” he said.

Land for the programme has already been secured in areas including Mkoba in Gweru, with additional developments planned in several locations including near Dabuka works yard.

Beyond Gweru, DAN says land has been secured in several cities including Harare,Kadoma , Mutare, Marondera, Chinhoyi and Mazowe-Concession just to mention a few.

Future expansion is also planned in towns such as Chivhu, Kwekwe, Karoi and Masvingo as the project grows.

The development will feature residential stands as well as agro-residential plots ranging from one to five hectares, offering opportunities for both housing and agricultural investment.

DAN officials openly acknowledged that the organisation previously ran a housing initiative in Gweru under a cooperative model that benefited several residents but later encountered challenges after it was allegedly hijacked by a land baron.

However, organisers say those experiences have strengthened the organisation’s approach.

The new housing programme now operates under a more robust structure with strengthened oversight, clear membership systems and tested operational strategies designed to safeguard beneficiaries.

Dr Morgan Dewah, national coordinator for the Chaplains and Pastors Fraternity, urged pastors and church leaders to seize the opportunity presented by the project.

“We should not dwell too much on the past but focus on the future,” Dewah said.

“This initiative offers pastors and church leaders an opportunity to be proactive and participate in building sustainable communities for themselves and their congregations.”

Zimbabwe currently faces a housing backlog of more than two million units, creating an urgent need for collaborative solutions involving government, private developers and community organisations.

Since 2003, the Destiny of AfriKa Network has been implementing empowerment programmes that have helped more than 30 000 Zimbabweans, including teachers, nurses, doctors, police officers, soldiers and informal sector workers, access housing opportunities.

Through the new housing programme, DAN believes faith communities can play a critical role in bridging the housing gap while uplifting their members economically.

Beyond simply providing stands, the initiative also aims to help beneficiaries eventually obtain secure title deeds and develop thriving residential communities that include church infrastructure, businesses and social amenities.