HARARE – Ezekiel Guti, the prominent evangelist, educationist and author has died aged 100.
His death on Wednesday was announced by his Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Africa (ZAOGA) church which he founded in 1960.
“It is with heavy hearts and deep sorrow that we announce the promotion to great glory of our dearly beloved spiritual father, visionary and iconic leader Archbishop Ezekiel Handinawangu Guti. He peacefully departed from this world today, Wednesday, July 5, 2023,” ZAOGA national chairman Apostle Joseph Guti announced in a video posted on the church’s social media pages.
“He has transitioned to be with his Lord and master whom he faithfully and sacrificially served for over eight decades.”
Guti celebrated his centenary birthday on May 5 last month, with President Emmerson Mnangagwa in attendance.
His ZAOGA church, also known as the Forward in Faith Ministries International, remains one of the biggest in Zimbabwe with branches around the world.
In 2012, he established the Ezekiel Guti University in Bindura, reportedly at a cost of US$100 million. He and his wife, Eunor Guti, were the joint chancellors.
Twice married, Ezekiel Guti had seven children with Eunor – daughters Sarah Rusere, La-Verne Simukai, Fiona Arthurs, Dorcas Jaricha, Gracious Chikore and Ethanim Nyajeka. Their only son, Ezekiel Junior, who had a speech impairment and physical disabilities, died in a drowning incident in 2017.
Guti is credited as the author of over a dozen Christian books and oversaw the construction of the Mbuya Dorcas Hospital in Harare, which opened its doors in 2012.
