The founder of the African Apostolic Church, Archbishop Paul Mwazha, has died aged 107.
Mwazha’s passing was announced by the church’s General Secretary Jeshua Mhizha in a statement issued on Thursday, 20 November. Said Mhizha:
“Good morning! The African Apostolic Church, VaApostora veAfrica.
“I regret to inform you that our Archbishop, Paul Mwazha of Africa, our church leader, has just passed on today, November 20, 2025. He has departed from us, but in spirit we are together with him.
“More information will be released in due course. Any further announcements will be released in due course. Kudzai Jehovah, Kudzai Jehovah.”
Archbishop Mwazha was born Paul Ernest Mwazha on 25 October 1918 at Holy Cross Mission in Chirumhanzu District, Midlands Province, to Christian parents Joseph Mugovera Mwazha and Saramina Mwazha.
He was originally named Mamvura, meaning “child of the water” in Shona, due to his frail health, with his parents fearing he would not survive infancy.
His mother, Saramina, reportedly rushed him for baptism in anticipation of his death. He was baptised Paul by Father Schmidt of the Roman Catholic Church.
According to church accounts, the infant Mamvura miraculously recovered after the baptism.
