17/03/2026
THE LIFE HISTORY OF MAIGURU MEGI MATANHIRE
Part One:
From Birth to the Journey of the Ark Covenant
Maiguru Megi Matanhire was born on 15 December 1927 in the rural lands of Chiota in Marondera, in what was then known as Southern Rhodesia (today Zimbabwe).
She was the daughter of Gideon Matanhire and Mai Rute Matanhire.
She was the third daughter in her father’s household. The family consisted of seven children in total - four daughters and three sons.
Mai Megi therefore grew up in a large traditional African family environment within the Chiota area.
During her childhood years, an important spiritual movement began spreading in the region through the ministry of Baba Johane, who was gathering people for prayer and teaching across different parts of the country. In the year 1938, while she was still young, Mai Megi together with her parents began worshipping in the musangano (gathering) of Baba Johane. From that time, her life became connected with the early development of the Masowe faith community.
By the year 1942, Mai Megi had just reached youth. During this time she went to live in Matumba, Samurirwo.
As the movement continued to grow, Mai Megi together with many other believers later traveled to Bulawayo with Baba Johane, joining the wider group of followers who were gathering around him in different places.
The Vision at Leighwoods and the Calling into the Ark (1943)
In the year 1943, at Leighwoods in Matabeleland, a remarkable spiritual event took place.
During that time, Baba Johane instructed the vaparidzi not to call the people for prayer for three weeks. After those three weeks had passed, Baba Johane gave another instruction.
He said that all the wabati vemabasa who were in Bulawayo and those who were at Leighwoods should be called to gather together on a Saturday morning.
When the wabati vemabasa had gathered, Baba Johane spoke to them and explained a vision he had seen earlier.
He said that around three o’clock in the afternoon, he saw a door open in heaven. From that open door he saw something shining descending from heaven. He continued watching as it came down until it reached the place where they were.
As he looked carefully, he saw that it was a young Black girl, full-bodied, shining like a stone of silver. She was wearing clothes that were white like pure snow. The girl was still young, just beginning to grow into maturity.
Baba Johane said he thought to himself:
“Perhaps I know this child; maybe she is among the people here.”
Then a voice from heaven spoke, saying:
“You are chosen, you are blessed, and you have been given honour and glory."
"The young girl whom you saw descending from heaven is the one chosen by God."
"She is the seventh foundation and she is among the six names that I previously called upon you."
"Take that girl and let her enter into the House of the Covenant - the ARK."
"For she who is here has pleased me because of the purity of her home and her virginity, being undefiled.
This is the new Jerusalem that has descended from heaven."
This is a prophecy that the people of Africa will come before the throne of judgment of God.
After receiving this message, Baba Johane sent Muvangeri Sapureni neDewedzo and Muparidzi John Muwani to go to the assembly at Chikwira. Their mission was to gather the congregation together with the girl’s parents.
Baba Johane instructed them to tell the people:
“Your daughter is being called by the voice of God to enter into the House of the Covenant.”
They went and later returned with the message that the congregation together with the girl’s parents had agreed with the voice of God that she should enter into the Covenant.
This Covenant of the Ark was established by God in Africa, with the promise that the people of Africa who keep this Covenant will become the head and not the tail of the world.
The Gospel Journey to South Africa (1944)
In the year 1944, Baba Johane began a major journey to preach the Gospel among the Black African nations.
He traveled to South Africa, where he first arrived in Krugersdorp. There they found a prophet named Naison Marondera, who was the younger brother of Mai Megi’s father.
Mai Megi, together with others who were part of the Covenant of the Ark of God, traveled with Baba Johane on this journey.
From Krugersdorp, they traveled to Pretoria, where they stayed in the area called Eastwood. There they met a believer named Tenisen Nyakonda.
Their journey continued further to the township of Alexandra and also to Orlando in Johannesburg, where they continued preaching and gathering people into the faith.
However, this journey was very difficult. During this time they experienced many hardships.
Among the difficulties they faced were:
Being arrested by the South African police, because of the racial segregation laws that existed at that time.
Sickness among the believers.
Deaths that occurred during the journey.
Because of these struggles, this period became one of the most difficult journeys in the history of the faith that came through our savior Baba Johane.
In the year 1947, some believers remained at Masaki, when Baba Johane temporarily returned to Zimbabwe, which was then called Rhodesia.
Evaton and the Passing of Mai Esther Chombo
When Baba Johane later returned again to South Africa, he went to Evaton.
It was there that Mai Esther Chombo, who was part of the Covenant passed away.
After that time, Mai Alisiya, together with Mai Nazarene Makotsa, and other members of the House of the Covenant, as well as wabati vemabasa of Baba Johane, traveled to Port Elizabeth in the Cape Province, while some others remained behind.
Mai Megi’s Work of Service
Many people came from this country to join the gatherings, including young men and young women who followed Baba Johane.
During this time, Mai Megi was given the responsibility of serving the young men who were part of the community.
Her work included:
Washing their clothes
Sewing trousers for them
Sewing shirts for them
This was very difficult work, because there was no money available. Yet despite the lack of resources, Mai Megi carried this burden faithfully, with patience and strength.
Her dedication showed the spirit of humility, service, and commitment to prayer that strengthened the believers during those difficult years.
Through these efforts, the Gospel continued to be preached, and many people in that country came to worship.
The Dedication of the Ark Covenant
After Baba Johane had established the House of the Covenant (ARK), he once stood on the shores of the sea.
He placed one of his feet into the water, raised his hands toward heaven, and prayed, saying:
“God the Father who is in heaven, the things for which you sent me I have fulfilled."
"The young women whom you told me to gather together - they are now gathered within the ARK of Africa."
"Their fathers agreed that the House of the Covenant should be built."
"Bless them and give them strength so that they may do your work throughout the whole world."
"These are the offerings that have come from the children of Africa who responded and prayed to God.
The Covenant that was once destroyed by Satan in Eden has today been restored by you."
"But the enemy, Satan, is still fighting against them.
Give them the power to overcome.”
After finishing the prayer, he said:
“Alleluia. Amen. Remain forever.”
In this way, Baba Johane dedicated the House of the Covenant (ARK) to God, the One who had sent him.
The Removal from Port Elizabeth (1962)
In the year 1962, Mai Megi together with the House of the Covenant were forced to leave Port Elizabeth, Cape Province after the government removed them from their residence at 15A Langa Street, Kosten.
After that, they were transported to Lusaka in Zambia, where Baba Johane was staying.
