When fathers gather, the conversation usually flows;men’s health tips, business deals, the latest football scores. But on this particular Saturday afternoon, the men of Chiwaridzo Corps’ Men’s Fellowship pressed pause on the usual playbook. With a sense of urgency, they turned their focus to a crisis hitting close to home: child abuse and the moral decay creeping into the younger generation. A viral video of a young child being brutally assaulted had sparked the sobering conversation. It was time to talk, and time to act.
Chairing the session, Mr Nyamanganga, who leads the Men’s Ministries, began by defining child abuse as “any form of physical, emotional, sexual, or psychological harm inflicted on a minor, or denial of their basic rights.” He outlined various laws in Zimbabwe that safeguard children’s rights, highlighting instruments such as the Children’s Act, Constitution of Zimbabwe (Section 81), and international conventions the country is party to.
“Moral decay among youth is a global crisis. No denomination is immune. It starts at home and is worsened by what society tolerates,” Mr Nyamanganga said.
Speakers didn’t hold back. Mr Musora delivered a passionate plea against unregulated cellphone and social media use, revealing a disturbing case where a schoolgirl was found with a phone containing explicit videos of her own parents which she later shared with classmates.
“We are poisoning our children with the very devices we give them. Where’s the supervision? That’s not just negligence, its moral destruction,” he said. Mr Hamadziripi echoed the sentiment, calling such exposure “the highest form of abuse. Rights without responsibility are dangerous.”
Mr Mandizha highlighted the emotional abuse caused by peer pressure and poverty shaming.
“A child who brings plain bread for lunch is mocked. Peers ask if their father is stupid. That child returns home with untouched food, not because they’re full, but because they’re humiliated,” he said.
Mr Mabheka added that parents are letting children consume age-inappropriate content on TV, fueling violent and rebellious behaviour.
“We are allowing our children to watch TV programs with clear age restrictions, fueling violent and rebellious behaviour by exposing them to things beyond their age.”
Mr Majasi struck a chord, saying, “We’ve lost the village. In the past, a child was owned by the community, they would listen to any elder. Now, they only listen to their parents. And if you try to correct them, they threaten to report you for abuse. It’s time we reclaim our role.”
Another speaker issued a raw warning: “We are failing to guard the gates. We’re not worried about the friends our children keep, yet we see the warning signs. We don’t need a scientist to tell us that the wrong company leads to a path of destruction. Yes, they have rights—but where is our responsibility to steer them toward what’s right? To intervene before the friendships corrupt?”
Strikingly, the fellowship noted that even children of church leaders are not spared from these challenges. Mr Karimahanga emphasized the need for spiritual intervention, quoting Psalm 1:3:
“He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither — whatever they do prospers.”
He urged parents to root their children in God’s Word, saying, “Disciplined children are God’s grace. Let’s pray for this generation, that they may be anchored in His truth and not go wild.”
The men also reflected on the biblical principle of leadership, as in Ephesians, “For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ is the head of the church.” It’s refreshing when men take a leading role in family matters, they noted.
The men concluded that the time for just talking is over. Action is needed. They resolved to organise a joint fellowship with the youth and children, not to lecture, but to listen.
“We cry and blame these kids for being wild, but maybe it’s time we ask: what’s pushing them there? Let’s hear from them directly,” one member said.
It was also noted that the intervention of God is needed, and having disciplined children is God’s grace, so they should pray for this generation.
The fellowship ended in prayer, seeking God’s intervention and wisdom. As Scripture says:
“Train up a child in the way they should go, and when they are old they will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6).
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”(Jeremiah 29:11).
The call is clear: let’s act now, pray fervently, and point our children to the One who can truly guide them.
