Archbishop Paul Mwazha will be buried in Guvambwa, Chivhu, Zimbabwe , on Friday. Funeral proceedings and services have been attended by thousands of people at his house at 08 Jefferson Road, Logan Park, Hatfield, Harare, prior to the burial.

The burial of Archbishop Paul Mwazha, leader and founder of the African Apostolic Church, is a significant national event in Zimbabwe following his recent death at the age of 107. He has been declared a national hero by the government.

The government of Zimbabwe conferred national hero status on Archbishop Mwazha, underscoring his impact as a revered religious leader. The news of his passing and the subsequent funeral arrangements have drawn a large national gathering, with many people paying their respects.

Preparations are currently underway in Guvambwa, Chivhu, for the final funeral rites and burial of Archbishop Paul Mwazha, which are scheduled to take place from November 28 to 30, 2025.

Workers are actively preparing the grounds at Guvambwa, , which is the village of his final resting place.

He was the founder and leader of the African Apostolic Church, an organization with a significant following, and was known for sowing “seeds of love and unity among Christians”. Given that thousands of mourners are expected (funeral services in Harare were already overflowing), preparations likely include setting up facilities to accommodate a large crowd, managing traffic, and ensuring essential services are available.

The African Apostolic Church leadership, particularly Dr. Masimba Mwazha, is coordinating with local authorities and the government to manage the logistics of the national hero burial.

Timeline of Archbishop Paul Mwazha’s Life

• October 25, 1918: Born Ernest Paul Mamvura Mwazha at Holy Cross Mission in the Chirumanzu District of Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). Shortly after birth, he became seriously ill with influenza and was presumed dead, but reportedly came back to life after being baptized by Father Schmidt, a German missionary, and given the name Paul.
• Aged 11: Began attending Roman Catholic catechism classes.
• Early Life/Education: After completing his education at a Methodist Church school, he joined the Methodist Church and qualified as a teacher at the Howard Teaching Institute.
• 1932-1933: Experienced significant religious visions and calls to spread the word of God throughout Africa and the world, which he and his followers believe set him on his mission.
• 1940s: Had visions of a united and economically independent Africa, preaching about the importance of high academic standards and the fight for religious and political emancipation for Africans.
• 1953: Participated in a spiritual revival within the Methodist church, which led to the formation of his own church.
• Mid-20th Century: Founded the African Apostolic Church (VaApostora veAfrica) and assumed leadership, growing it into one of Zimbabwe’s largest indigenous churches with a significant presence across Africa. He took a vow around this time not to trim his beard.
• April 2017: His wife, Joyce Makaonesu Mwazha, died at the age of 79.
• October 2019: Celebrated his 101st birthday, receiving congratulations from national figures.
• October 25, 2025: Celebrated his 107th birthday.
• November 20, 2025: Died peacefully at the age of 107 after a short illness.
• November (Later Date): Declared a national hero by the Zimbabwean government.
• November 28, 2025 (Friday): Scheduled for burial in Guvambwa, Chivhu, Zimbabwe.