Ndhlovu, Reward Register (1927–2000)
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Image not found or type unknown Ndhlovu, Reward Register (1927–2000) PAMINUS MACHAMIRE Paminus Machamire, D.Min. (Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan) is currently the vice president of the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division. He began his ministry as a district pastor in Zimbabwe where he also served as a departmental director at field and union levels. Later, he served as president of East Zimbabwe Field before becoming the Zambezi Union executive secretary, and later union president in Zimbabwe and Botswana. He published a book,The Power of Forgiveness, with the Africa Publishing House. The history of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Zimbabwe would be incomplete if it did not include the contribution made by Reward Register Ndhlovu, or R.R., as he was affectionately called. Reward Register Ndhlovu was a prominent Zimbabwean Seventh-day Adventist pastor, evangelist, and church administrator. His Early Life (1927–1948) Reward Register Ndhlovu was born on April 27, 1927, at Ncema Village, Essexvale (now called Esigodini), in Matabeleland, about 42 kilometers (26 miles) south of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. He was the thirdborn son of Register Ndhlovu. His name and those of his eight siblings (seven boys and two girls) share a common theme— the second coming of Christ. From the firstborn to the ninth, the names were as follows:1 “Signs,” of the coming of Christ. “Promise,” of the Master’s soon return. “Reward,” that Jesus gives to every saint. “Message,” to be preached to the whole world before Jesus comes. “Waiting,” for Jesus to come. “Grace,” a girl— reminds one that the grace of God saves sinners. “Winning,” the second girl— promotes soul winning for Christ. “Cometh,” He (Jesus) is coming. “Remnant,” those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. While still at a very tender age, R. R. Ndhlovu got used to what is commonly called the Advent Movement lifestyle. From Hanke Seventh-day Adventist Mission in central Zimbabwe, where his father began his teaching career, he moved with the family to various districts that included Mhondoro, near Kadoma town; Kezi, 101 kilometers (63 miles) south of Bulawayo; Kanye, 86 kilometers (53 miles) west of Gaborone, in Botswana (where his mother was born); and Gunde, near the town of Kwe Kwe in Zimbabwe (where his father finally retired).2 Growing up as a pastor’s child made R.R. to go through trying experiences. One such experience occurred when his father was transferred from Mhondoro to Kezi, a distance of about 450 kilometers (280 miles). R.R. sat on top of the family’s luggage that had been loaded on a donkey-drawn scotch cart, with a hired servant driving the donkey. Along the way the servant took R.R. off the cart and made him to walk and drive the donkeys while he sat on the cart where the lad had been sitting. By the time they arrived at Kezi, R.R.’s legs were swollen and heavy. The pain he felt took a long time to heal.3 R.R. started school at Hanke Mission. His sub-A (preschool) teacher was Sabada Nyamazana (the first female teacher or mistress at Hanke Mission). As the years rolled on, his father’s job transfers forced him to change schools every two to three years. From Hanke the family moved to Gunde, Mhondoro, and Kezi primary schools. From Kezi the family was transferred to Solusi Mission, 50 kilometers (31 miles) southwest of Bulawayo, where R.R. completed his upper primary education up to standard 6 (grade 7).4 Career, Marriage, and Call to Ministry (1948–1970) In January 1948 R.R. entered denominational employment as a teacher at Tsholotsho Seventh-day Adventist Primary School, about 116 kilometers (72 miles) west of Bulawayo.5 A few years later he met Daisy Mpofu at a camp meeting in Gunde. She had just completed standard 6 at Nyazura Adventist Mission, 207 kilometers (128 miles) east of Harare, the capital city of Zimbabwe. The two fell in love and got married in 1955. According to Daisy, since they had first met at a camp meeting, they decided to have their wedding at another camp meeting in Lower Gweru on July 12, 1955. S. B. Dube of Lower Gwelo Adventist Mission Church officiated their marriage. The marriage service was followed by two wedding celebrations. The first celebration was held in August at the bride’s home in Hanke area, while the second function was conducted in September in the Gunde area, at the retirement home of R.R.’s parents.6 After teaching for eight years, in 1956 R.R. was called to the gospel ministry to serve as a district pastor. That same year he was sent to Solusi College for ministerial training until 1957.7 Upon graduation, Southern Rhodesia Mission Field assigned him to work as departmental director for the lay activities (personal ministries and Sabbath School)8 and Missionary Volunteers (youth).9 During his tenure as Southern Rhodesia Mission Field MV (youth) leader, R.R. organized the first leadercraft camp in the union territory at Nyazura Mission in 1958. Here he taught MV honor classes on thatching.10 In those days most departmental directors depended on public transport for traveling from home to office and around the field territory. Alternatively, they cycled if they owned a bicycle. As R.R.’s wife, Daisy, recalls, in 1958 R.R. bought his first car, a Wolseley, for £18.11 While still serving as a departmental director, he was ordained to the gospel ministry in 1960. In 1961 the Zambesi Union (with office headquarters in Bulawayo) called him to serve as the union evangelist12 and Missionary Volunteer department secretary. He replaced Aaron Habeenzu, who went on permanent return to Zambia because of ill health.13 In this new responsibility R.R. worked closely with W. R. Zork and with F. G. Reid, the union president. From the two ministers he gained valuable experience that helped him later in his ministry. Then from 1961to 1962 he became part of a selected group of pastors who attended the first two African division leadership course at Solusi College. Thereafter he was appointed to serve as the Solusi College church pastor. Daisy was assigned to work as cashier in the college business office, under Naison Siwardi, the chief accountant.14 Later the “Advent movement” took him back to the Zambesi Union to serve as stewardship departmental secretary from 1967 to 1970.15 The then union president, Fred G. Thomas, wrote, “Pastor R. Ndhlovu has proved to be a strong leader in the stewardship and church development department.” After R. R. Ndhlovu bought his second car, an Opel, his wife became one of the first black women in Zimbabwe to obtain a driver’s license. She worked in the duplicating room, becoming the first black woman to hold such a “prestigious job” in the union office. Although she was not allowed to join her white colleagues, who used a heater to warm themselves during cold winter days, Daisy did not allow discrimination to discourage her from serving her Lord in a highly committed manner.16 His Early Years as a Church Administrator (1970–1985) In 1970, during the Zambesi Union year-end constituency session, R. R. Ndhlovu was appointed to serve as president for the Matabeleland-Midlands Field, which covered the southern and central provinces of Zimbabwe.17 Its offices were situated at Lower Gwelo, 164 kilometers (102 miles) north of Bulawayo. As a church administrator he committed himself to give fair treatment to all church employees, regardless of the tribe they belonged to. In his position he was required to submit quarterly reports to the union president. In spite of his hard work and faithfulness, reports from his office were not impressive. After receiving a strong warning letter from the union president, he conducted a thorough investigation in order to determine the root cause of this problem. The truth was uncovered. A few pastors who wanted his position worked with his secretary to alter figures in the reports that he submitted to the union. The situation changed when he hired a new secretary. Nevertheless, more work-related problems came from his fellow administrator, the field secretary-treasurer. This colleague worked behind his back and made important decisions without consulting or informing R.R. who was the president. On one occasion this colleague changed the time that office employees reported for work without the knowledge of the field president, which made R.R. to report “late” for work. Many similar attempts were made by some employees to discredit the president’s good work. “Trusting solely in the Lord,” as R.R. revealed to the author in friendly chats held between 1992 and 1995 while they served together, “I managed to work against the current until I received a transfer ten years later.” Meanwhile, the Trans-Africa Division (TAD), whose offices were situated in Harare, appointed R. R. Ndhlovu to serve as a division field secretary from 1981to 1985.18 Soon after his appointment, he received the following welcoming letter from the then division president: Dear Elder Ndhlovu, This letter is an official welcome to you as the field secretary for the TAD. We are thrilled that you have accepted this invitation and we trust that you will begin to make the necessary plans, working directly with Harold Iles, assistant treasurer here in the TAD office, for your move. We hope you can be moved into Salisbury at the very latest by the end of January 1981. When you are settled in your new home, the four of us, as officers, should visit together, outlining your responsibilities.