Pastors in Politics? Or not?

Wednesday 18 September, Mukhanyo’s KwaMhlanga students held a debate. Two teams were selected and started preparing several weeks before. The topic: Should pastors be involved in politics?

When the debate started, the affirmative team led by Paul Kivumbi argued that pastors must be involved in politics. Next was Titus Padi from the negative group, who used the Greek word for pastor to state that pastors need to care for their flocks.

Elias Mavimbela argued passionately in the affirmative and he was followed by Kgotso Maikhoso, who argued that pastoring is a full time job and so is politics – he asked the affirmative team where they would find the time for church work if they were politicians.

Both of the second speakers picked up on comments from the opposing teams and remarked on it. The audience listened with attention.

Ronald Gonyora ended his team's presentation with his calm way of stating the need for pastors in politics. Kudzai Chimedza's concluded that pastors shouldn't be in politics, but that pastors had to pastor those who would one day be in politics.

At the end of the debate it was explained that the purpose of a debate is to acquire skills in doing research about a specific topic and then being able to state your argument in a civil way. The teams not only have to know their own topic but also the arguments of the opposing team. This is done so that they can react to statements made by the opposing team. This is an important skill that they will use frequently in their lives.

The three judges declared Titus Padi's negative team the winners. Titus was also adjudicated the best speaker. Pastors should not be involved in politics!
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All the students agreed that the debate should be a regular part of the KwaMhlanga campus calendar.

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