John Chitakure
I came to Wadzanai Training Centre in 1994 to study for a two-year UZ diploma in Religious Studies but ended up graduating with an extra diploma in Religious Education in 1996, whose worth I did not quite appreciate at the time, until 2005, when it opened a golden door for me to study theology at the Catholic Theological Union. When I arrived at Wadzanai, having dropped out of the Franciscan Novitiate in 1993, my spirit was downcast, my faith was just a flicker, and my hope of attaining an education was fading away—almost gone.
Wadzanai restored my hope, revived my spirit, molded my character, and rekindled my faith and dreams. Wadzanai gave me caring friends, excellent professors, a deeply spiritual environment, and most of all, a character.
In addition to my academic achievements from Wadzanai, I now I hold a D.Min from the Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, Illinois (2008), MA in Religious Studies (2005), BA (Honors) in Religious Studies (1999), and Graduate Certificate in Education (2002), all from the University of Zimbabwe. In 2012, my family and I migrated to Texas, USA, where I work as an Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology at the Mexican American Catholic College, in San Antonio. I also teach World Religions and The Religious Quest, at the University of the Incarnate Word, as an adjunct professor. I have also taught at Oblate School of Theology, Texas. Prior to my coming to the USA, I taught for seven years at Secondary Schools, and for two years at Wadzanai Training Centre. I also taught several religious studies courses at Arrupe Jesuit University, Chishawasha Seminary, Holy Trinity College, and Zimbabwe Christian College.
I have authored four books: The Pursuit of the Sacred (2016), Shona Women in Zimbabwe—A Purchased People? (2016), African Traditional Religion Encounters Christianity: The Resilience of a Demonized Religion (2017), and The Audacity to Dream: Stories from an African Immigrant, 2018.
My students say that I am a good, passionate, knowledgeable, and empathetic teacher. I always tell them, “Before everything started, there was Wadzanai Training Centre.”
John Chitakure, D.Min (Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology at the Mexican American Catholic College, San Antonio, Texas, USA)
Br Tatenda A Shumba
I can’t believe how time flies. Two years were like a month. This
shows how exciting studying at Wadzanai was. Studying Religious
Studies is one of the best decisions that I’ve undertaken. The course has opened my mind on how I can relate with people of other religions.
The lecturers are very dedicated and I really appreciate their
hard work. The community spirit that is there among the students is something worth mentioning. Whenever a student is in need the other students are ready to jump in and assist. Prayer is at the heart of the institution. We started our day with prayer and ended our day with
prayer. This has helped me even outside Wadzanai, the system of
beginning the day with the Lord and ending with the Lord has been
imprinted in my life. Wadzanai is indeed a conducive place for study,
it’s well equipped library and facilities are also worth mentioning.
The course indeed opens the door to many disciplines that one can want to pursue. If ever a philosophical or theological discourse arises one is ready to bring forth his/her input. Therefore I do very much recommend that one pursue religious studies and Wadzanai is a very good place to do so.
Br Tatenda A Shumba.
Naomi Muulu
Being given an opportunity to study at Wadzanai was a shock to me. I did not expect it. I did not know what Religious Studies was, but i was happy that i was going to have a Diploma. However it was just more than a Diploma that i wanted.
I was terrified when I was told to study in another country not my own. I was also terrified about starting to make new friends and to make matters worse, i was fearful of the language barrier. Studying at Wadzanai Training Centre helped me in my social, spiritual and 
academic life. First and foremost the natural environment itself gives you the warmest welcome one could ever have. The place was peaceful for both my spiritual and academic life. The lecturers and staff were very supportive in all aspects of my life, they never made me miss home for a second or regret coming to study in Zimbabwe. Knowing that i did not know Shona, they taught me. Furthermore, lecturers spoke in English for easy communication.
For my spiritual life, we always had Mass. During Mass, my colleagues helped me.
Attending Mass helped me to grow and experience the love of God. I learnt to know how to experience God’s love everyday through meditation and a sense of community. My academic studies helped me to know what is right and wrong using reasons not emotions.
Having taken this course, I would love to encourage everyone to take it because it’s worth studying especially at Wadzanai. This is because one gets special attention and it does not only change one’s status in society but it helps one both spiritually and physically. It also gives one the idea to look at both sides of the coin not only one. In addition, it gives one the opportunity to study all dimensions of life and gives one the basic understanding of their faith. Hence i advocate for everyone whether religious or non religious to take up this Diploma which enriches oneself and the society. Wadzanai gives you the best experience one could imagine. Guess what, I was the Students’ President from 2017-2018 which helped me to improve on my leadership skills !!!
Sr Naomi Muulu from Zambia