First Lady and foreign guests mentor youths

Tendai Rupapa in Victoria Falls

The First Lady of Angola Mrs Ana Dias Lourenco and representatives of First Ladies for many other African States who attended the first-ever United Nations Tourism Regional Forum for Gastronomy for Africa on Saturday, joined First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa in imparting words of wisdom to the younger generation in an educative Gota/Nhanga/Ixhiba session for Victoria Falls.

Male representatives of First Ladies joined 41 traditional chiefs and other community elders in educating boys about what is expected of them as well as the need to maintain high moral standards.

The presence of Mrs Lourenco and representatives of First Ladies from Botswana, Namibia, Malawi, Equatorial Guinea and Rwanda among others, also gave the children a glimpse into how they prepare dishes and execute other chores in their home countries.

It was unanimously agreed during the session that schoolchildren must focus on their studies and avoid engaging in activities that affect their future.

It was a Gota/Nhanga/Ixhiba session with a difference which was also attended by chiefs’ wives, Cabinet ministers, deputy ministers and Government officials.

Good morals, Dr Mnangagwa said, were essential in laying the foundations for a brighter future.

In the spirit of the United Nations Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy for Africa, the girls prepared a motley of traditional dishes that included sadza, dried vegetables in peanut butter, dried meat, sugar beans, nhopi and road runner chickens.

Dr Mnangagwa and her visitors were served mouth-watering dishes for lunch.

The girls also showcased how Zimbabweans pound grains with a pestle and mortar, winnow and grind on stone.

The visiting delegation then took over and showcased how they do it in their countries. Ms Vera Kamtukule, who represented Malawi’s First Lady Mrs Monica Chakwera said in her country, it was rare for women to go to grinding mills as they mostly pounded their grain.

She said they used peanut butter in their dishes. To make the peanut butter, they did not need to roast the groundnuts first, but would grind them raw and incorporate them into their relish.

The children were taught to do laundry and the First Lady advised them on areas that needed to be focused on like the collar, armpits and sleeves.

From touring the practical activities, Amai Mnangagwa and her delegation then entered the Nhanga while the boys were being taught several chores expected of them in the Gota.

“My children I have brought along some of your mothers, First Ladies of other countries and representatives sent by their First Ladies. They have come as mothers, grandmothers and aunties. They have also come to talk to you, to teach you the importance of focusing on your education and staying away from mischief which affects your lives and future,” the First Lady said.

“To my sisters, and grandmothers, this is the time, we should remind our children how important they are and how they should value themselves, their bodies. If they do bad, it embarrasses us as mothers. My daughters, what are the disadvantages of engaging in early sexual relationships?” she asked.

The question elicited a lot of responses, with the children saying: “It brings unwanted pregnancies and you will drop out of school ruining your future. You also contract sexually transmitted infections.”

The First Lady took time to educate the girls on the dangers of premature sex saying virginity was a once-off thing and the girls should make their mothers proud by being paid beasts of honour for preserving virginity.

Dr Mnangagwa also touched on personal hygiene and good menstrual hygiene.

Angolan First Lady Mrs Ana Dias Lourenco warned the children against smartphones which can ruin their lives if not used responsibly.

“As Amai said, I am here as a mother to guide you girls to reach our ages. We started just like you. You have to use your smartphones responsibly and avoid content that distracts you. Focus on your education,” she said.

The representative of Rwanda First Lady Jeannette Kagame, Mrs Ms Nelly Mukazayire, said girls must be well-behaved.

“We have to define who we are as girls. Ask yourself “Who am I, where am I coming from, where am I going?” Always remember the dos and don’ts that define us. Maintaining dignity is important.

“Amai has said value yourselves, maintain your dignity. Don’t rush into relationships, wait to mature, get to that age and make your choice. Who do you want to be, and which name do you want to be associated with, a good one or a bad one? It is you, who makes or breaks yourself. Stay focused my sisters. Be grateful that you have a First Lady who takes time to talk to you to guide you. Let us value her teachings,” she said.

Malawi representative of Malawi First Lady Mrs Monica Chakwera, donated textbooks through the First Lady for the children and shared her life story.

“Amai I am going to donate 500 textbooks to you for the girls because the first chapter in those books talks about who you are as a person. It is a powerful book which talks about a lot of things. The title is ‘You bloom where you are watered’, My sisters, find yourself and bloom where you are planted. I used to walk more than 10km to school, but I never gave up and today I am an Hon Minister. Stay focused and never give up in life,” she said.

Representing Namibian First Lady Mrs Sustjie Mbumba, Ms Heather Sibungo spoke on the need for respect.

“What is important as girls, is respect. This your generation differs from what our generation grew up knowing and doing. You cannot be successful in life when you do not have respect. You should first respect yourself and also your elders and wear decent clothes not walk in the nude wearing short skimpy clothes. A girl must have a doek and a wrapper in her wardrobe,” she said.

Equatorial Guinea representative spoke on the need to choose friends wisely and not to submit to peer pressure.

“Be conscious of your friends. Avoid friends that do not shape you, those that influence you to do bad things. Choose friends that are focused, those who have the same mindset as yours,” she said.

The wife to Deputy president of the Chiefs Council Chief Fortune Charumbira, Mrs Priscilla Charumbira said naughtiness exposed children to a future of distress.

“Girls you heard our mothers telling you that growing up was not all rosy, things did not come on a silver platter but they were focused and look where they are today. We should emulate them. You heard them saying they performed household chores as they grew up helping their parents, why then are you not doing the same? Are you doing the same or you refuse?

“Let us be responsible children who will also be responsible in the future,” she said.

Chief Nekatambe, Mr Charles Ncube, said they taught boys to be responsible and help their parents with household chores at all times.

“As we were growing up, we would learn from home before school and our teachers would only add on to what we had been taught at home. This is what our First Lady wants us to replicate. We thank her greatly because if the children embrace the teachings, we will get positive outcomes. May our First Lady continue with such programmes and we back her on this,” he said.

Chief Wenge echoed similar sentiments.

“We thank the First Lady for this great lesson for our children. We grew up respecting elders and following the teachings of our parents and this led us to success,” he said.

Addressing both boys and girls and the community, Dr Mnangagwa enjoined the children to keep the teachings in their hearts.

“My children, keep the teachings close to your hearts, this will protect you in the future. These teachings will make you stay away from social vices like drugs and substance abuse. Choose friends who have the same mindset as yours. Do not choose friends that make you go wayward; instead, you should choose a good friend who helps you to develop and a friend who studies with you,” she said.

“What do you understand by the terms boyfriend or girlfriend?” she asked.

In response, the children said the terms referred to people who were in love.

“My sons, if you are underage, forget about girlfriends because you have nothing to give them, even a chick.

“You girls must frown upon those seeking to date you. Say no to love proposals from boys, both of you must value education.

“Nowadays our children have no respect and they talk back at you when you counsel them yet we never did that. Some elderly men are preying on the young girls, please shun that, and let them grow morally upright. Let the children grow well and unleash their potential, let us protect our children. Let us also guide them so that they do not delve into drugs,” she said.

Amai Mnangagwa thanked her Angel of Hope Foundation’s partners for their continued support.

“I have partners I work with at Angel of Hope Foundation who make our work go forward.

“Today, I have brought maize-meal, sorghum meal and rice for everyone and this was made possible by AoHF partners. I thank you for your continued support,” she said. – Herald