The IMBISA TEAM
Richard Menatsi
Executive Director
Richard Menatsi is a Catholic priest of the Diocese of Mthatha, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. He has a lot of experience in leadership at different levels and with different organisations. He was the Secretary General of SACBC from 1999 – 2005 and during this time he was a member of the National Anti-Corruption Forum which was made up of ( Labour Movements, Civil Society-Religious, Business and Government. He chaired the working group of the National Religious Forum (NRLF). He still chairs the National Religious Association for Social for Social Development (NRASD) which is a development wing of the National Religious Forum. Richard Menatsi has also many years of experience as a parish priest. He is well known nationally and internationally in leadership circles. He says Jesus drives him in everything he does.
Veronica Dingi
Regional Communications Coordinator
Is a Catholic nun and belongs to the congregation of Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood. She joined IMBISA in 1997 as Assistant Coordinator in the Social Communications Department. She became the Coordinator of the same department from 2003 to date. She was the treasurer as well as Secretary for SIGNIS Africa (which is a catholic association for communicators) and also an IMBISA Delegate in the same association from 2004 – 2009. She was a Secondary school teacher before she joined IMBISA and She has experience in facilitation and training in subjects such as; Journalism, Public Speaking, News Gathering and has a special interest in Media Education. She holds Diplomas in Education and Journalism and a degree in Communication Science. Her motto is “With God’s help I can and I will.”
Barnabe Da Cruz Didalelwa
Coordinator Translation Department
Barnabé da Cruz Didalelwa is a Catholic Priest of the Diocese of Ondjiva, Kunene, Angola. He is the face you will see at the translation desk of IMBISA. His very important job is to make IMBISA as a region be able to communicate through translation of documents as well as offering simultaneous translation during IMBISA meetings and general assemblies. He was vice Rector, Dean of Studies and Secretary of Orientation Seminary Pe. Sikufinde, in Omupanda. Has experience as a Parish Priest. Didalelwa has been IMBISA Translator since 2004; he has a bachelor degree both in Philosophy and in Theology with Urbaniana University, in Italy and is currently doing MBA with the University of Zimbabwe.
Gregor Munyaradzi Dakudzwa
Financial Administrator
Is a Catholic nun and belongs to the Congregation of the Little Children of our Blessed Lady (LCBL). She joined IMBISA in February 2009 as the Finance administrator. She was Bursar General of the LCBL Sisters for 12 years (1990 – 2002). She was appointed Regional Superior of her congregation for four years. She is an accountant by profession. She has a diploma certificate in Business studies and holds a degree in English and Communication. Sr Gregor has experience in organizing short courses and workshops of accounts to all those interested. Her motto is “To do the right thing, at the right time, with the right intention”.
Claudio Dos Reis
Regional Coordinator Justice and Peace Desk
Is a catholic priest from the Archdiocese of Maputo in Mozambique. He was parish priest at the Cathedral of Maputo for a number of years. He taught at the major seminary of philosophy and he was also Rector of the Medium Seminary of Christ the King in Matola. He joined IMBISA in August 2009, to take up the task of making the IMBISA justice and peace desk an organ of liaison and collaboration between the member countries of IMBISA. Claudio dos Reis, has experience in teaching at University level. He has worked with the Catholic Youth at continental level.
Clara Rumbidzai Mangwengwe
Regional Coordinator- Refugee Service
Clara Rumbidzayi is a Missionary Sister of the Precious Blood (CPS) who has been appointed as the Regional Coordinator for IMBISA Refugee Service Department, as of January 2010. She was the Administrator at Sacred Heart Primary School, Bulawayo, for two years after obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree (Honours) in International Marketing. She has experience in marketing and has had an opportunity of working in industry. Sister’s responsibilities at IMBISA will be to motivate, coordinate, encourage and support local Church initiatives with regard to the pastoral care and development needs of the refugees and displaced persons. Sr. Clara Rumbidzayi takes over from Sr. Juliet Muerwa HLMC.
Ignatius Chidavaenzi
Regional Coordinator – Biblical Pastoral Ministry
Is a Catholic priest from Chinhoyi diocese in Zimbabwe. He is the coordinator of the Biblical Pastoral Ministry Department of IMBISA. He was involved in the Inter-confessional translation of the bible in to shona for 16 years. This was a joint project between the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference (ZCBC) and United Bible Society in Zimbabwe. He was also part of the team of African Exegetes who worked on the African Bible which was published by the Pauline Sisters in Nairobi. He was an executive member on the Catholic Biblical Federation for 6 years. He is also a Member of the Theology Commission of ZCBC. Fr. Ignatius teaches Scripture (part-time) at Chishawasha Regional Major Seminary of Theology and also Arrupe College which is a Jesuit college of Philosophy and humanities. “My employer is truth” he says and he is driven by Gal: 5: 22-23.
Mr. Crispen T. Nyarira
General Administrator
Is the force behind the management of the material needs and requirements of IMBISA. His duty is to keep IMBISA in good shape. His strength is in Administration, Marketing and Sales. “With God on my side and myself cooperating with his graces 100%, I can do anything” is what derives Mr. Nyarira in everything that he does.
Ms. Rachel Mufunguri
Secretary - Refugee Service Department
Rachel Chipuriro Mufunguri is Zimbabwean. She is the voice you will hear when you call IMBISA Secretariat. Her first employment was in 1990 at the Archdiocese of Harare where she was employed as Secretary in the Education Department. In 1991 she joined IMBISA Secretariat as Finance Administrator and also providing Secretarial services. She worked in this office for 18 years. In January 2010 , she moved to the IMBISA Reception. She is experienced in Accounting and Finance, Administration and Secretarial Services. She is a holder of Business Management and Administration, Financial Accounting and Secretarial qualifications. Rachel can speak the following languages; English, Shona, Ndebele, Zulu and a little bit of Siswati. She can type well in Portuguese but cannot speak the language. Her Moto is: “TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE” (I must be myself).
Lina Mutsago
Receptionist
She is the voice you hear when you call IMBISA Communications Department. Lina Mutsago was born in Vumba Village, Mutare, the eastern part of Zimbabwe. She attended School at St. Joseph’s Catholic Secondary School Sakubva, Mutare. She worked at Mutambara Hospital for 5 years after which she worked at a Surgery as an Assistant to the Doctor for 3 years. In 1988 she was employed at Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ZCBC) as a receptionist. She joined IMBISA Secretariat in 1989 as a Receptionist and typist. At the beginning of January 2010, she was transferred to the Social Communications Department as Secretary to the Coordinator. Her Moto is: “MOST IN EVERYTHING, PRAYING FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW GOD”