“The Zimbabwean spirit is different. They are innovative and smart. I have seen a lot of successful Zimbabweans both home and abroad. Despite the troubles you have that are unique to Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwean spirit is the kind of spirit that doesn’t give up. My message to Zimbabweans is to say do not give up. I believe you are currently in the second republic as Zimbabwe and the best is yet to come,” added the clergyman.

…As he says the best is yet to come in the second Republic for Zimbabwe

Ngoni Dapira

MUTARE was last Saturday left spellbound by the young, charismatic Zambian born- South Africa based Prophet Isaiah Brian Sovi, who visited the eastern border city for the first time.

Prophet Isiah Brian Sovi

The Imperial City Church Ministry founder is one of the youngest well known prophets, but with wide influence. He had a brief sermon at a local church in Mutare on Saturday evening and one-on-one prayer sessions with a few people the following day.

Due to covid-19 restrictions on the number of congregants, some people had to be turned away after the word spread like a veld fire that the evangelical preacher was in town.

Some of the congregants that managed to be part of the service.

Prophet Sovi said his church is currently going through an expansion drive with a vision of spreading across the world growing his ministry. Prophet Sovi founded his Pentecostal church in 2015, with its main church in Sandton, in Johannesburg South Africa, but now has branches in Nairobi, Kenya and Malaysia. He said they recently appointed nine ambassadors to different countries among them Eswatini, Kenya, and the United States.

Spiritually, Prophet Sovi is inspired by the Zimbabwean born Spirit Embassy Church founder Uebert Angel, who is his mentor and Spiritual Father.

Prophet Sovi spreading the fire.

The enigmatic Prophet who is known to fill-up conference halls where he performs miracles, healing and is also renowned for accurate prophecies touched hearts in Mutare and left a message of hope for people during these trying times of the global covid-19 pandemic.

“I wanted to impart what I have into the people of Mutare, just spreading the fire. I am giving a message of hope. People lost a lot of family members and friends and they need hope. So, I am giving a message of hope to the hopeless. Maybe when the pandemic is over we will have a crusade and have more programmes in this region,” said Prophet Sovi in an interview.

The well-traveled clergyman said he has been to many countries, even in worse economic situations than Zimbabwe, but gave credit to the resilience of Zimbabweans.

An emotional moment as one congregant broke down after receiving the fire of the clergyman.

“The Zimbabwean spirit is different. They are innovative and smart. I have seen a lot of successful Zimbabweans both home and abroad. Despite the troubles you have that are unique to Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwean spirit is the kind of spirit that doesn’t give up. My message to Zimbabweans is to say do not give up. I believe you are currently in the second republic as Zimbabwe and the best is yet to come,” added the clergyman.

Born in the early 1990s in Kitwe, Zambia, the young clergyman said he discovered his calling at the age of seven (7). He describes himself as a goal getter, courageous, confident, bold, determined to preach the gospel of the Lord Jesus, but has a unique focus of creating young Christian millionaires.

Prophet Sovi also runs a company called IBS Financial Services which trains people to learn about foreign currency trading, and gives guidance on how to start a business and sustain it. It is also into freight and Logistics (IBS Cargo), mining, fashion and cosmetics, media and entertainment.

He has authored a book titled “Biblical Forex Trading”. Apart from being the boss of IBS Financial Services, he is a co-director in Mela cosmetics, a company that specializes in hair products. The firm in 2016 showcased its hair products in New York.

Prophet Sovi praying for a lady during the service last week Saturday.

The young clergyman also runs a philanthropy army called the Compassion Corner which he uses for both social corporate responsibility (CSR) and as a charity of his ministry. It assists orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs), widows and other underprivileged groups through donations of clothing and foodstuffs and finances.

As a spiritual leader, Prophet Sovi says he wants to break the stereotype that clergymen cannot make it in business, just like what his mentor Prophet Uebert Angel says. Prophet Uebert Angel in March was appointed as Presidential envoy and Ambassador at Large by President Emmerson Mnangagwa. To help increase the number of young people, especially Christians in business, Prophet Sovi is part of the youth empowerment programme called One Thousand Millionaires.

The youth empowerment programme being run in South Africa imparts youths with business skills and connects them to established companies where youths can explore their careers.

Businessman cum politician Clyde Jani (cap) and Zanu PF Mutare District Coordinating secretary youth affairs Danmore Mambondiani receiving Prophet Sovi (black jacket) before his interview at Diamond FM in Mutare last week Saturday.

Prophet Sovi said he was impressed by the Eastern Highlands, coined the Switzerland of Africa, because of its scenic mountainous terrains idyllic for tourism.

“This is a vibrant region with so much potential. I am looking forward to establish something here in terms of business,” he said.

Adding, “I saw some of the once vibrant industry like the closed paper mill plant (Mutare Board and Paper Mill) and a lot of closed industry. I believe there is a lot of potential for investment here. Looking at the terrain and weather it’s a good area for farming and value addition of agri-produce.  It’s also close to Beira in Mozambique, which means exporting costs are cheaper if you set up here.”

Prophet Sovi was also recently awarded the role of UAMA chairperson for the Southern African region. A large responsibility of overseeing ministerial operations running their own ministries, ensuring that their needs are met. This is a Uebert Angel ministerial association founded by the Zimbabwean born clergymen.

Zanu PF Mutare District Coordinating secretary youth affairs Danmore Mambondiani was part of the dignitaries that attended the service last Saturday.

Prophet Sovi came with his wife Pastor Shanna Sovi and an small entourage from his main church. He flew back to South Africa on Monday after spending the weekend in Mutare.