Key points:
- Church member Ray Kaukonde’s late mother’s will instructed his family to continue supporting the welfare of United Methodist pastors. He’s done that and more, including helping to build two new sanctuaries.
- The 62-year-old businessman also has financed parsonages, purchased motorbikes and other vehicles for pastors, paid allowances to supplement their income, and educated orphans and vulnerable children up to the university level.
- “As a product of the church, Ray’s wish is to make The UMC the best church in Zimbabwe,” “said the Rev. Phanuel Razo, former Mutoko Mudzi District superintendent.
United Methodist and entrepreneur Ray Kaukonde has been giving back to his church for many years in fulfilment of his late mother’s wishes.
While wills traditionally are not a common phenomenon in Shona culture, Rubi Kaukonde, Ray Kaukonde’s mother, left a will for her children to implement. She died when Ray was just 7 years old.
The will instructed the family to continue supporting pastors’ welfare by buying furniture and groceries for them and giving them allowances to supplement their income.
“My mother inspired me to give to the church,” Ray Kaukonde said. “Whenever resources permit and in memory of her, I do not hesitate to give.”
The 62-year-old businessman has financed construction and completion of sanctuaries and parsonages, purchased motorbikes and other vehicles for pastors, paid allowances, and educated orphans and vulnerable children up to the university level.
“My wish is to see the church progressing,” he added. “I always get satisfaction when I give, especially in rural areas. Most rural circuits have old people now, who no longer have the energy to work and support the church. For them to give an offering of a dollar is asking too much.”
Kaukonde owns two supermarkets and works in other industries, including motor vehicle sales, repairs and maintenance, commercial farming, security services, fuel supplies and manufacturing. Raised in the church, he said his calling is to help the disadvantaged anywhere that a need arises.
In 2024, his maternal grandmother, Janemary Muzika, became sick. She sent him a message that stated that when she died, she wanted her funeral to be held in the church that her husband began constructing in 1977 but was unable to finish.
“To fulfill my grandmother’s wish and my late mother’s will,” Kaukonde said, “I completed building and equipping Donzwe Local Church of Chikwizo Circuit. It became a state-of-the-art sanctuary secured by a perimeter fence. It was dedicated by Bishop Eben K. Nhiwatiwa in 2024, 47 years later.”
Kaukonde next turned his efforts to sanctuary construction for the Chikwizo church, where his mother had worshipped. Two of his “adopted” sons, whom he assisted with their education, promised to contribute toward the initiative.
“I knew my grandson had a generous heart,” Muzika said, “hence, I managed to pour it out to him. I am grateful to (him) for completing the sanctuary which my husband started. It is now a very beautiful church. Even if I die today, I am happy that my last service will be held in an outstanding sanctuary.”
Nomatter Chiringa, a beneficiary of Kaukonde’s generosity, said the Kaukonde family is a blessing from God that enabled him to become the man he is today. “I was nothing, and my life had reached a standstill. I could not afford to go to the university, but he came to my rescue.
“His intervention was not limited to education, but (also) in encouraging us to know and work for the Lord,” Chiringa said. “There is nothing greater than serving God. As a family, we will do our part in supporting him as he does God’s work. We will donate 20,000 bricks.”
Bishop Nhiwatiwa, who led the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area until his retirement in March of this year, said Kaukonde should accept that he was sent by God.
“God is sending Ray because he has a kind heart,” Nhiwatiwa said. “There are some billionaires who do not want to part with a cent for anything related to God. God does not bother to bless stingy people because things will rot in their houses. It will be easier to bless cheerful givers so that they can bless others.”
Patricia Kaukonde, Ray’s wife, said she is proud of the work her family is doing.
“I am proud of being a woman with influence, especially when the influence is in good faith.
“I am so proud of the state-of-the-art sanctuary at Donzwe, and we were wondering how best to improve Chikwizo sanctuary. We had budgeted to work on this sanctuary in our 2025 budget, but God is so faithful and made it to happen earlier. Here we are now, having managed to purchase and deliver 40,000 bricks for the construction of Chikwizo sanctuary. It is our desire to make it the best of all.”
Dorothy Ngaufe, a member of Donzwe Local Church, recalled worshipping with Rubi Kaukonde at Chikwizo Circuit.
“Rubi used to love her church and was a very generous giver,” Ngaufe said. “In those years, she did a lot for Chikwizo, and now her son Ray is following in her footsteps.”
The Rev. Heather Jane Zisengwe, Mutoko Mudzi District superintendent, said Ray Kaukonde has been very helpful in the district. Dendera High School has Ray Kaukonde Hall, and Nyadire High School includes a hostel that he fenced, roofed and renovated.
“The pastor at Chikwizo Circuit receives part of his monthly allowance from Ray,” Zisengwe said. “He also provides buses to and from venues during conventions.”
Kaukonde’s generosity has made a difference for many pastors.
“I am one of the pastors who benefited from Kaukonde’s generosity in terms of transport and monthly allowances,” said Freeman Karumazondo, pastor-in-charge of the Chikwizo Circuit. “He bought a motorbike to enable me to access the eight local churches of Chikwizo Circuit.
“I was told that he even constructed the parsonage that I am staying in. I am very happy about that,” Karumazondo added.
Mabasa Muzhizhizhi, Chisipiti Circuit associate pastor, said, “Ray Kaukonde constructed a parsonage and bought a brand-new vehicle for Pagejo RaRubi preaching point of Chisipiti United Methodist Church, and for that we are grateful.”
“Ray Kaukonde was one of my pillars in my ministry,” said the Rev. Phanuel Razo, former Mutoko Mudzi District superintendent. “When I had no vehicle, he would send a vehicle with the driver to help me to carry out my ministerial work in the district. He would support clergy members in the district with grocery items from his two supermarkets and cash for their upkeep. His seven-ton truck would do rounds in the district.
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“He has been paying allowances for all the retired pastors. He would advance the money through the conference for the whole year.”
Kaukonde has supported church-related hospitals and schools with fuel and equipment like generators and has been known to repair vandalized church properties.
“Ray Kaukonde’s love for his church is extraordinary,” Razo added. “As a product of the church, Ray’s wish is to make The UMC the best church in Zimbabwe.”
Kaukonde’s generosity is not limited to the church. He helped to construct classrooms and teacher housing, educate vulnerable children from primary to tertiary education, build clinics, buy an ambulance and other hospital equipment, erect a police station and provide food for older adults.
United Methodist-related Hartzell High School is one of the beneficiaries receiving support from Kaukonde, according to Principal Leonard Mutibu. “Ray did his secondary education here, and often he comes to plow back.”
Kaukonde’s origins were humble, said Augustine Katsande, a member of Chikwizo Circuit. “We grew up together. His mother passed when giving birth to twins in 1964 when Ray was 7. He grew up as an orphan from a very humble background.”
“I equate him to Joseph in the Bible, who was from Canaan who helped a lot of people in Egypt,” Katsande said. “He does everything with love and without discrimination.
“Behind a successful man is a humble, merciful and very understanding woman, Patricia. Together, they have moved mountains. We are very grateful to them. May God continue to bless them.”
Chingwe is a communicator for the Zimbabwe East Conference.
News media contact: Julie Dwyer at [email protected]. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free UM News Digest.
