In 2016, the Shovholwe Tshisahulu branch of the Nzumbululo Zion Church was severely damaged during heavy storms. Congregants had to start all over again to rebuild the church. This took them years, but the church was eventually completed in 2019.
On Sunday, 8 October, 57 of the church's branches from all over the country and Zimbabwe gathered at Shovholwe Tshisahulu to celebrate and witness the official opening of the new church building. The occasion was graced by the presence of the local Thulamela ward councillor Joseph Nemalegeni, representatives of the ANC's Tshifhiwa Muofhe branch, the local Tshisahulu civic, led by their chairperson Mr Job Ramawa, and the Nzumbululo Zion Church's national and local leadership, among others.
The new church was officially opened by the senior traditional leader of Tshisahulu, Thovhele Thivhulawi Makumbane, and the church leadership.
Makumbane said he was proud to have a church that upheld the traditions of the African people in his village. "As the leadership of this village, we are very impressed with the good work this church is doing in this village. Because of your prayers and teachings, we are experiencing peace and the observance of good morals in our village. This makes our task of ruling this village easier. As rulers, we need prayers to carry this God-given task," he said.
He praised the church leadership and the congregants for not abandoning their dream of having their own church, despite the setback they had suffered in 2016.
The Shovholwe branch was first started by Ms Elinah Dathi, who held services at her home. She was later joined by Mr Phineas Nemukongwe.