Stanley Chirimbani

RENOWNED Mutare based United Methodist Church (UMC) pastor Reverend Dr Togara Bobo was given an emotional send off on Sunday by congregants and people from all walks of life whom he left a footprint in their lives.

Part of the congregants that attended the farewell service following proceedings.

Rev Dr Bobo since 2023 served as the pastor in charge at St Peter’s Innercity UMC in the low density suburb of Palmerstone. He was also the Connectional Ministry (CM) director of the Zimbabwe East Annual Conference (ZEAC). With effect from January 1, 2026 he has been promoted to the post of area administrative assistant to the Bishop (Ministry and Church Growth) in Harare. He will be replaced by Rev Preston Majoni who was the pastor in charge at St Mary’s UMC in the high density suburb of Dangamvura.

Rev Dr Bobo and his wife Martha following proceedings.

The devoted cleric will be working under the new Bishop Gift Kudakwashe Machinga who was installed early this year in April to lead the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area, succeeding the retiring Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa. Bishop Machinga was elected in March by the Africa Central Conference and officially began his role April 1, serving the Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Botswana region as a new bishop for the global UMC.

Part of the jovial congregants during the service.

Rev Dr Bobo started serving in Mutare in 2013 at St John’s UMC in Chikanga then after six years was transferred to King David UMC in the Riverside light industrial area. He served there for four years and was then transferred again to St Peter’s where he is now leaving for a higher calling of administrative duties for the church.

Representing the business community, eduprenuer Stephen Mutsongodza, the director of First Class Group of Schools, who is also a member of UMC, equated Rev. Dr Bobo to Joseph in the bible who’s favour by God was insurmountable.

Mutsongodza bidding farewell to Rev Dr Bobo.

“All I can say today is to hate Joseph is wasting your time, to hate Joseph is wasting your time, I said to hate Joseph is wasting your time,” said Mutsongodza before he broke into song and went to hug Rev Dr Bobo.

The biblical story of God’s favour for Joseph manifested as His constant presence in all endeavours despite trials, turning his hardships into stepping stones for promotion. From being sold into slavery by his brothers to overcoming the temptations in Potiphar’s house and serving time in prison, then ultimately his rise to prime minister of Egypt.

To bid him farewell, senior members of the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service ( ZPCS) Manicaland Province led by Officer Commanding Manicaland Province Commissioner Spetosomusa Chinobva and the acting Deputy Officer Commanding, Chief Superintendent Tonderai Ukama came to honour the clergyman whose service and spiritual guidance has over the years touched many lives from different walks of life.

Comm Chinobva and her ZPCS officers.

Comm Chinobva gave a heartfelt thank you message to Rev Dr Bobo for his unwavering support to ZPCS not only through his spiritual ministering services to inmates, but also his contribution towards the welfare of inmates by always mobilising donations for Manicaland prisons year in year out on festive holidays like Christmas and Easter or whenever he was approached.

“Rev. Bobo has been a beacon of hope and restoration within the ZPCS facilities across Manicaland Province from Mutare to the furthest corners like Chipinge Prison. Through generous donations of essential goods, consistent spiritual support, and powerful sermons, he has been instrumental in transforming lives, bringing light into dark places. He is a true servant of God whose work will remain written in the hearts of both inmates and our officers,” said Comm Chinobva.

Speakers from various circuits in the church spoke vividly about his dedication to the church and also thanked Rev Dr Bobo for introducing charismatic preaching. Even other pastors from other churches came to bid him farewell and described him as a man of deep love, humility and unwavering commitment to the word of God. He was described as a pastor whose ministry reached beyond pulpit preaching as he walked with the broken and embraced the rejected that the world had given up on.

Wellington Musonza

Two former inmates who were once assisted by him also came to bid him farewell. One of the former inmates who was a habitual criminal that often went in and out of prison, Wellington Musodza, gave a moving testimony, describing how Rev Dr Bobo helped him turn his life around not only spiritually but also helped him reintegrate into society. He said after coming out of prison in 2021 through the Presidential amnesty he received tools that enabled him to start a small business. Now he is earning a living through making leather sandals. Musodza added that he now also preaches the gospel through the spiritual and prayerful seed planted in him by Rev Dr Bobo during his time in prison.

Former inmate Musonza (black suit) selling his sandals outside the church after the service.

Rev Dr Bobo expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the people of Manicaland, including the political and traditional leadership that he said made his pastoral work easier to execute as he was always well received wherever they went to do the work of God.

He gave powerful sermon derived from 2 Corinthians 13:13 which talked about Paul’s famous Trinitarian blessing, a powerful closing to his letter. The sermon spoke about him leaving behind the spirit of unity, divine presence and the communal life in Christ as he leaves the province. He said he may have leaving but God’s presence will remain in the church.

Rev Dr Bobo

“I have been giving the benediction during church services, but on this day, I offer it to leave you covered in prayer as I go,” said Rev. Bobo.