Tendai Rupapa

First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa yesterday distributed blankets and food to hundreds of elderly people, those with disabilities, child-headed families and orphans, among other disadvantaged groups in Harare under her Blanket Drive aimed at easing the plight of underprivileged people.

Harare was the last stop of the Blanket Drive which has covered all the country’s provinces as the mother of the nation ensures no place and no one is left behind in her programmes.

She also held an interactive session with the recipients to tackle child marriages, domestic violence, drug abuse and general lack of respect among youths.

The programme was held at Queen Elizabeth High School.

Amai Mnangagwa also donated food hampers to the host school and surrounding schools that included Harare Girls High, Allan Wilson and Prince Edward.

“Today I have come so that we teach one another right from the way we live in our homes. I have come so that we reflect on issues that are taking place in our homes and communities to assess as to whether we are living in harmony. Winter is upon us and I spared a thought for orphans, the elderly, those with disabilities, those with albinism and brought blankets so that you beat the cold.

“We have young people among us and we want the elderly who are the fortresses of wisdom to tell us how they grew up, the rules they followed and the steps they took when getting married so that the young ones learn. Daughters-in-law who were married recently, how are you living with your in-laws? Are you getting along well? Children are abusing drugs, whose children are they? Whose home are they coming from and as a parent what are you saying about this? Are you counselling the child? Nhasi tinoda kudzitaura dzese pano tobva tagadzirisana,” she said.

“According to statistics, Harare tops on the list of areas affected by drug and substance abuse. In our communities, we should work with the police and report crimes like drug abuse. Let’s control our children and not leave everything to the police.

“Who should address or counsel the children between the father and mother? Who watches over the home? Nharirire yemusha ndiyani. What are you saying about the children’s mischief as leaders of households? As parents we are struggling with school fees to put our children through university education, we are selling goats and pumpkins to send children to school but nothing tangible is coming through. Children are cohabiting at university and instead of coming back with a certificate, they are bringing pregnancy. If you chase after two rabbits, will you achieve anything? Let’s discuss as parents,” the First Lady said.

She also spoke out candidly against child marriages.

“Who is marrying off children at tender ages? Is it the father or mother and why is that being done? Why can’t we let our children complete school and they make their own choices? In other provinces, some people are saying the children are the ones who are throwing themselves into marriage and no longer respect their parents. We want to discuss all these issues here. The homes you came from, are they smart? Have you cleaned it to keep diseases at bay?” she asked.

In response, an elderly lady drew laughter when she said she had just woken up like a rabbit.

“I just woke up like a rabbit and came here without even spreading my bed. If visitors come, I will be so embarrassed because I haven’t even swept the house,” she said.

This however, differed from her peer.

“I woke up and did a cleaning duty at home because I stay with lodgers at my house,” she said.

“What ages are these lodgers who make you perform cleaning duties,” Dr Mnangagwa asked.

“They are young people and once they complete their duty, I also come in. Havana basa nazvo kuti ndakwegura. Children of today need to be taught manners,” she responded.

As Tourism and Environment patron, Dr Mnangagwa urged people to keep their communities clean and said Zimbabwe will soon host the 44th Sadc Heads of State and Government Summit and it would be improper for visitors to see litter everywhere.

The mother of the nation sought to know who was the head of the house between a father and a mother.

The question elicited a lot of responses and views.

“My house is called Mrs Mandingo’s house because I manage the house while my husband is off to work. If a child misbehaves, my husband will say look your child is misbehaving so I am the foundation of the house,” said one elderly lady.

This however differed from the views of another respondent who said: “The house belongs to the father and as mothers, we are just helpers. If children misbehave, we counsel them and later advise the father whatever would have happened in his absence.”

An elderly man said the house belongs to both the husband and the wife.

“The house is ours together as we assist one another. However, at my house my wife has taken over because she is working and I am retired. Though she works, she respects me,” he said.

Another male respondent did not share the same view.

“The household is mine as the man I am the bull of the home and I pass laws for the home. Asi vana vedu kana mitemo yemumba havachaterere,” he said.

Amai Mnangagwa said it was good there were learners present and she posed a question as to what they thought should be done to them whenever they misbehaved.

“Beat us, we need a whip to behave,” the learners said.

The mother of the nation said it was essential to teach children the correct path.

“Growing up we were disciplined because we would be beaten by our parents but we never died. We were beaten as a way to discipline us and not to kill us,” she said.

An elderly woman shared a touching story of her three daughters who all eloped at tender ages as they never listened to her.

“All my girls eloped and the boys are into drugs. As a widow they don’t listen to me. Sometimes they try to beat me up when they are high on drugs,” she said.

Dr Mnangagwa implored the schoolgirls to focus on their studies.

“My daughters are you focusing on school work or you are being involved in love matters and start chasing after two things. Murikunyura murudo nguva isati yakwana?” she asked.

One of the girls said she aims to succeed in school and was not being involved with boys.

“I want to excel in my studies therefore I do not play with boys. At times I think about it because the boys pester me but I appreciate my twin sister, she doesn’t tolerate bad behaviour and advises me against it,” she said.

Another learner admitted they indeed got involved in mischief.

“Truly we sometimes misbehave due to peer pressure. We are thankful for your teachings Amai and we have learnt a lot,” she said.

The First Lady promised to return with her Gota/Nhanga/Ixhiba session for the benefit of the school girls.

“My daughters, my message to you is close and lock. I will come back with my Nhanga/Gota/Ixhiba programme at this school for your benefit,” she said.

Speaking on behalf of Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan Provincial Affairs and Devolution Cde Charles Tawengwa, his permanent secretary, Mr Cosmas Chiringa said it was heartwarming to see a compassionate gesture being extended to the needy by the First Lady.

He also congratulated the mother of the nation for being honoured by the UN Tourism for exceptionally championing gastronomy tourism across the continent.

“As we gather today your passion once again is being demonstrated and I would like to commend you and on behalf of the people of Harare Metropolitan Province Ndinoda kukutendai zvikuru. The blankets that you are giving today will go a long way in providing warmth and comfort to those in need. The less privileged in our communities are an integral part of our society and it is our duty as the Government to provide them with equal opportunities, support and protection. It is only through our collective efforts that we can foster an inclusive environment and celebrate the diversity that ensures no one and no place is left behind,” he said.

Minister Tawengwa said it was important to reflect on the importance of caring for the less privileged and to remember the invaluable contributions they make in various communities.

“Let us continue to show them love, respect and appreciation for all that they do,” he said. – Herald