09 February 2022
Jeremiah Harrison
Sports Reporter
Prominent British-Zimbabwe businessman, author, founder of Spirit Embassy Church, Prophet Uebert Angel has started renovating Gwanzura Stadium in Harare.
Gwanzura Stadium was abandoned in 2015 by the local authorities due to its deplorable state. The Stadium used to be the home ground for CAPS United before it was closed.
Over the years, poor administration and failure to rehabilitate it has seen grass growing on the concrete terraces, sewer flowing freely and precast wall slowly disintergrating.
This is not the first time the stadium is renovated, efforts have been made to rehabilitate Gwanzura Stadium in 2017 and in 2020 but the attempts failed to do so.
Harare City Council spokesperson Michael Chideme confirmed the developments taking place in Highfields.
In his interview with NewZimbabwe he said ” Yes, it is true, Prophet Angel is refurbishing the stadium but I might have to get back to you with more details as we are leaving for the site now.”
Information provided by sources state that after the rehabilitation is done the stadium will be handed back to the local authorities (Harare City Council).
Sometime last year Confederation of African Football (CAF) condemned all stadia in Zimbabwe highlighting that they are not suitable for hosting international matches.
Warrior’s home ground the giant National Sports Stadium, Barboufields Stadium which is the home to Highlanders FC, Rufaro Stadium and Mandava stadium in Zvishavane were all highlighted poor by CAF.
Last month firebrand Independent Norton Member of Parliament Temba Mliswa criticised leadership in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Arts.
He said that there should be a reshuffle of leadership within the ministry blaming the Minister of Youth, Sports and Arts Honourable Kirsty Coventry for poor leadership.
Angel was born and grew up in Masvingo, Zimbabwe. He later moved to Manchester, England, where he founded the Spirit Embassy ministry in 2007.In October 2015 it re-branded its name to the “Good News Church” (sometimes referred to as “Spirit Embassy Good News Church”).
The church ministry attracted numerous followers and there are currently 70 branches in over 15 different countries in Europe, Africa and the US. Angel has also launched Miracle TV and Good News TV where he carries out regular speaking engagements and broadcasts programs on behalf of the Good News Church.
He is also the founder and president of Osborn Institute of Theology, an online Bible school which was launched in August 2012.
In March 2021 Angel was appointed as the nation of Zimbabwe’s Ambassador at Large and Presidential Envoy by President Emmerson Mnangagwa. The ambassadorial role came with the responsibility for Ambassador Angel to seek trade and investment opportunities for the country of Zimbabwe.
Ambassador Angel was reportedly offered a $15,000 per month in salary and perks in which he refused.
Since being appointed Angel has embarked on a number of projects, including the building of what will be the largest indoor events centre in the entire country of Zimbabwe. The building will be called the Harare Hippodrome and will be accompanied by an executive room hotel called The Beethoven Hotel.
He wrote a number of books which include I Went To Hell, Hello Holy Spirit, Genetics of Words just to name a few.
The rehabilitation of Gwanzura Stadium have already started.