The Mission was establised in 1975
To be a Catholic Church living in communion and participating in the Mission of Christ for the salvation of all.
In the 1960s St. Theresa Madamombe used to be served as an outstation of Mashava Mission (St. Barbara) roughly Mashava its 25km away, but now it is under Masvingo Diocese. In the 1960s Mashava Mission used to be under Gweru Diocese. When the White Priest who used to serve Mashava realised that a number of Catholics were growing in numbers, he mobilized the parishioners to mould the farm brick such that a parish can be built for them. It is said that the Danha family they embraced the news with great joy. Who is this DANHA FAMILY? They belong to the Chief Family, and are brothers with the Makambe family and the Madamombe Family. Danha is the elder brother and Chief Madamombe is the youngest brother. And these are the owners of the land here in Chivi district. And they are famously known as SHUMBA MURAMBWI . Hence the allocation of the site for us to build Madamombe it became very easy.
The foundation of Madamombe Mission we don’t have the appropriate dates but they believe that the Church started to operate in 1968. Hence in the 1970s Madamombe Mission was small and it was served as an outstation. Being served by Fr. Francis. It is said that the first black African Priest to serve Madamombe was Fr. Hurayai in 1971 and under him he motivated many parishioners, hence he created many Small Christian Communities (SCC) And in the year 2000 when the diocese of Gweru was divided into two Dioceses, these Small Christian Communities were developed to become outstations that are now function under Madamombe ( St. Theresa Ruva diki.) .
Currently, Madamombe Mission has 10 outstations namely:
a) St. Mary’s that is located in Mandamambwe township only 9kms away from the main parish.
b) St. Anna is in Masunda area 13kms away.
c) St. Peter is located in Gondo area.
d) St. Martin is located in Chikova .
e) St. Matthew is located in Utsinda.
f) St. John here there is no structure but we just use the gift of nature.
g) St. Francis is in the area called Jongwe. The building is there but there is no roofing.
h) St. Michael has a structure but there is no roofing as well.
i) St. Julia is in Watungwa.
j) Lastly we have St. James located in Chief Utete area and its 27kms away from the main Parish
For years Madamombe Parish used be supplied water by the parishioners and it used to be known as the driest parish, Thanks be to the Diocese of Gweru because in 2018, the diocese has managed to drill a borehole for our lovely parish. Last year Madamombe has managed to introduce a drip irrigation system. Which is meant to help the struggling income of the parish. Currently, the income of the parish comes from the monthly collections commonly as the Mugove.
NAMES OF PRIESTS WHO SERVED AT MADAMOMBE MISSION SINCE 1975
Year Name
1975-1982 Fr J. Haag
1982-1985 Fr Francis Reichmuth
1985- 1987 Fr Guido Zanetti, Fr Chinembiri
1989-1993 Fr. X. Marimazhira
1993-1998 Fr Pius Baettiq
1998-2000 Fr Guido Zanetti
2000-2002 Fr X. Innachen
2002-2003 Fr R. Majoni
2003-2004 Fr P. Makwara
2004- Rev R. Mutandadzi, Rev C. Pasvani
2005-2007 Fr F Masanganise
2007-2010 Fr N. Musoni
2010-2013 Fr A. Chirikadzi
2013-2014 Fr H. Muzvondiwa
2014-2016 Fr M. F. Nhakuza
2016-2018 Fr E. Mbovani
2018-2022 Fr. C. Sakala, Fr T. Wunganayi
2022 Fr H. Kudzai
2023- Now Fr F. Nhakuza
Sisters serving at the ST Theresa Madamombe Mission
Sr Maria Theresa Saga
Sr Jesca Kwangware
Currently, this mission is being served by 1 Priest and 2 SJI Sisters. The total number of Parishioners is 456 currently. The St Theresa Ruvadiki Madamombe Mission was established in the year 1975. It will celebrate its Golden Jubilee in 2025 thus marking 50 years in existence.
Current Executive
Chairperson Mrs Chigovera
Vice- Chairperson Mrs Mhene
Secretary Mrs Mushandu
Vice- Secretary Mrs Chibika
Treasurer Mr B Dzingira
Committee- Members: Mrs Chipare
Mrs Hwaire
Mrs Chibarabada
Mr Dhibha.
Associations and Guilds
St Anne’s
St Joseph
Hosi Yedenga
Sacred Heart
St Monica
Simon Peter
St Mary
Youth
Missionary Childhood.
Twinning
The mission is twinned with St Theresa’s Cathedral according to History and Tradition.
Motto
Priest in Charge