A farmer of thought.
Bishop Joshua Maponga — born Joshua Marara Maponga III in Masvingo Province — is a Zimbabwean author, philosopher, public speaker and one of the continent's best-known Pan-African thinkers. He studied theology and philosophy, earning a degree in Philosophy and Personal Ministries from Andrews University in Michigan, USA, and went on to serve the Seventh-day Adventist Church as a pastor for more than three decades. He was later conferred the title of Bishop by the Pentecostal and Evangelical community.
He is the founder and CEO of the Farmers of Thought Institute, and the founder of the Zimbabwe Indigenous Movement (ZIM) and the Africa Indigenous Movement (AIM) — organisations dedicated to African identity, indigenous knowledge and Africa's own intellectual property. His books include Going Places in the Spirit, So You Want to Be the Master, Shopping Skills and Find Your Truth. His ideas have travelled: he was honoured with the African Philosopher Award at the 2023 Pan African Pyramid (PAP) Global Awards, has delivered keynote addresses across the region, spoke at Victoria University Uganda's graduation ceremony, and has addressed farmers' unions and public forums in Namibia and beyond. His work is now the subject of peer-reviewed study in African theology and religio-cultural pedagogy.
On Dare Remachinda he brings the long view — African identity, purpose, and what it means to build something that outlives you.
"Many organisations have lost the passion. Why did you start that company? What is it that you wanted to do? And if I walk up to you right now, are you still doing that very thing that you said you wanted to do?" — Bishop Joshua Maponga, keynote address, Business Eswatini Ignite Eswatini Gala Dinner
Sources
- https://pindula.co.zw/Joshua_Maponga — born 18 July 1973; also known as Joshua Marara Maponga III; public speaker, author, philosopher; pastor in the Seventh-day Adventist Church for over 30 years; title of Bishop conferred by the Pentecostal and Evangelical community; founder and CEO of the Farmers of Thought institute; founded Zimbabwe Indigenous Movement (ZIM) and Africa Indigenous Movement (AIM); Pan-Africanist
- https://buzzsouthafrica.com/joshua-maponga-biography-and-educational-qualifications — degree in Philosophy and Personal Ministries from Andrews University, USA; ordained Bishop of the Pentecostal and Evangelical community
- https://spyuganda.com/pap-global-awards-2023-here-is-why-joshua-maponga-was-recognized — 2023 PAP Global Awards: African Philosopher Award; born Masvingo Province, 1973; nickname "Creative Power House"; founder of Farmers of Thought Institute, The Indigenous Movement and The African Indigenous Movement
- https://thenewlightpaper.co.ug/2025/01/12/just-in-joshua-maponga-to-grace-victoria-universitys-7th-graduation-ceremony-at-kololo-airstrip — "2023 PAP Global Award winner"; invited speaker at Victoria University Uganda's 7th graduation ceremony
- https://namibiansun.com/rep-agrimonitor/pdfu-hosts-public-discussion-on-inequality2024-11-26141486 — keynote speaker for the Previously Disadvantaged Farmers Union public discussion, Windhoek; CEO of Farmers of Thought
- https://swazidailynews.com/8342/news/zims-joshua-maponga-urges-businesses-to-return-to-their-purpose — keynote at the Business Eswatini Ignite Eswatini Gala Dinner; verbatim quote
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-iii-marara-maponga-793ba921 (and https://linkedin.com/in/maponga-joshua-iii-marara-5b0663143) — Founder & CEO Farmers of Thought, AIM (African Indigenous Movement); publication list: Going Places in the Spirit, Shopping Skills, So You Want to Be the Master
- https://noyam.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ERATS20251165.pdf and https://scielo.org.za/scielo.php?pid=S0259-94222025000100074&script=sci_arttext — peer-reviewed articles examining his work ("A Critique of Joshua Maponga's Religio-Cultural Pedagogy"; "Joshua Maponga's interactions with Black theology, African identities and Indigenous belief systems"); book titles Going Places in the Spirit (2017), So You Want to Be the Master (2020), African Questions and Solutions, Find Your Truth
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLiQ_WjuLko — "Dare Remachinda With Phathisani, Ev Marufu, Joshua Maponga, Ev Muparinga, Adv Marara & Prog Nyahuma" (17 August 2026) — his appearance on the show
- https://castlly.com/watch/maponga-joshua-on-uganda-museveni-anti-homosexuality-law-joe-biden-julius-malema-chamisa-america_wjL3dbiTNsxY7cL.html — "Dare ReMachinda Latest Episode (Dare Guru Live) hosted by Phathisani Sibanda feat Bishop Maponga"