SA group on trade and spiritual mission in Ethiopia

It’s time for Africans to get involved in the building and reconstruction of Africa, says Vuka Africa Foundation (VAF) which is leading a 6-day trade mission to Ethiopia.

15 South African business owners who are on the mission which began on January 27 and concludes on February 1 are participating in sessions aimed at growing business ties with Ethiopia. The delegates are also attending a 4-day Arise Africa 2015 Conference at Beza International Church where they are being empowered to rise up and take charge of their God given destiny in Africa, says VAF in a media statement.

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Wendy Luhabe, a social entrepreneur and co-founder of WIPHOLD, is one of the panel of speakers in the business meetings. Conference speakers include Apostle Linda Gobodo (Founder: Vuka Africa Foundation, SA), Dr David Molapo (Director: I-Can Greenoaks, SA), Dr Mamiki Molapo (SA), Dr Betta Mengistu (Ethiopia), Bishop Tudor Bismark (Senior Pastor  New Life Covenant Church, Zimbabwe),  Christine Musisi ( Regional Director: UN Women East and Southern Africa, Kenya), Bishop Dr Joshua Banda (Senior Pastor: Northmead Assembly of God Church, Zambia), Pastor Zerubbabel Mengistu (Pastor: Beza international Church, Ethiopia) and Dr David Oginde (Kenya). Conference topics include  “Embracing our Economic Destiny” and “The role of women in helping Africa embrace her destiny”.

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Economic transformation
Africa has gone through a remarkable decade of economic transformation with trade between Africa and its new partners now worth USD 673.4 billion a year according to the African Economic Outlook (AEO), says VAF. However it says that Africans are not taking advantage of opportunities that are available in the continent.

“If we as Africans we do not take charge, Africa will be colonised again but in a different form. African leaders have political power but lack economic power to make the changes that are needed, which is why all Africans are required to roll up their sleeves and get involved in the building and reconstruction of Africa,” says the media statement.

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“We strongly believe that physical restoration of Africa will flow from spiritual restoration” says VAF founder Linda Gobodo. The African church has a mission and the mandate to the people of Africa to empower them and engage them holistically so that Christianity permeates not only their religion but also culture, politics, economics and social relationships for the better.