Church of Sweden: Zezani Mission
Church of Sweden
Zezani Mission
Little is known of the origins of Zezani Mission (also known as Zenani and Zezane Mission) although it was established in 1932. The mission is nearby to Siyoka Tribal Trust Land, Nobi and Dendele Tribal Trust Land. The mission originally ran a primary school with boarders and a clinic.
In 1969, the Government passed legislation for new local authorities called District Councils. Missions and churches were obliged to hand over primary schools to these new authorities or to school committees appointed by the Councils. Zezani was not handed over due to the fact they had boarders.
The Zezani Mission became one of 16 Assembly Points during the Bush War. On 6th January, 1978 the mission was attacked by the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA). Pastor A.B.C Siwela reported the army stole telephones, cut wires and smashed windows of the clinic, stealing medical supplies. The mission was eventually ordered to close as it was frequently visited by the European-led army from a nearby camp and the safety of the mission workers could be guaranteed.
After Independence in 1980, the government rapidly expanded its day secondary school programme to rural areas. A new secondary school was opened Zezani under the Evangelical Lutheran Church.