Zimbabwe’s soaring divorce rates: Pastor Kilton Moyo on the generational crisis
Rumbidzai Mhlanga
In a startling revelation, the latest Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) report indicates a dramatic rise in divorce rates across Zimbabwe, with statistics showing an equal prevalence among both secular and religious communities.
Brother Kilton Moyo, a seasoned pastor, marriage enrichment counsellor and author, provides a deep dive into what he identifies as a generational attitude crisis fueling this trend.
This phenomenon has sparked a conversation about the underlying causes, with Brother Kilton Moyo offering his seasoned perspective.
“From my observations working with couples, I’ve identified several contributing factors.Firstly, we are a careless generation, quick to quit and lacking the guts or passion to withstand pressure. We give up too easily and lack the capacity to build, unlike previous generations,” Moyo stated.
Moyo elaborates on a generational shift towards destruction rather than construction, affecting not just marriages but also the environment, families and even the upbringing of children.
“We seem to enjoy destruction, carelessly destroying things around us,” he laments, pointing to a lack of introspection as a major issue.
He further critiques the modern pursuit of pleasure over commitment, noting, “Our generation is driven by pleasure at the expense of everything else. How can a married person spend an entire week binging with friends? Or a married woman be out late with friends? These actions reveal a serious misconception of marriage in this generation.”
The pastor also highlights a resistance to traditional standards, which he believes have historically sustained marriages.
“We have an anti-standard attitude. Our generation disregards standards, particularly traditional or God-given ones that have sustained marriages, families and businesses for generations,” Moyo explains.
He criticised the influence of social media and the proliferation of advice that lacks grounding in fundamental principles of human relationships or spiritual guidance.
Addressing solutions, Moyo stressed the importance of programs that do more than skim the surface.
“We need programs that focus on changing attitudes and revealing the purpose of marriage to young people. Many marry for the wrong reasons: societal pressure, family expectations, fear of being alone, or even just for sex, children, or financial security,” he shared.
Moyo advocated for pre-marital counselling and the role of the church in discipleship.
“From a Christian perspective, discipleship is key. When people truly know Jesus and are led by the Holy Spirit, they are less likely to quit their marriages or relationships,” he asserts.
He emphasized the need for real-life examples from older couples, stating, “Teaching must be modelled. We need older couples who can openly demonstrate what marriage is, not fake a perfect image.”
In conclusion, Moyo warned of a generational crisis that requires immediate and thoughtful intervention.
“Young people today often seem to want things the easy way, but nothing worthwhile comes cheap. Everything requires struggle, commitment, and effort,” he concluded.
