Tendai Rupapa

BOYS camps play a significant role in providing mentorship, developing essential life skills, enhancing teamwork and creating lifelong friendships thus, helping boys grow into capable and confident young men.

Therefore, as part of her efforts to mould responsible, confident and morally upright boys, First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa is hosting the First Lady’s inaugural week-long National Boys Camp currently underway, to engage and interact with the boys drawn from all the country’s 10 provinces.

Catching them young, the camp targets primary school learners from grades four to seven.

The Mother of the Nation and other experts including men and women, are empowering them with life skills from household chores, cooking, goat slaughtering, career guidance and grooming to personal hygiene among others.

They also went through oral and practical lessons in the Gota/Ixhiba. Amai Mnangagwa is also teaching the boys on various topics that affect the boy child.

The boys were warned about the dangers of early romantic relationships and the abuse of drugs. The camp will also educate boys on how to overcome negative circumstances in life.

This comes after Dr Mnangagwa previously held two successful First Lady’s girls’ camps twice.

Smiles were written all over the young boys’ faces as the First Lady welcomed them.

She prepared and served them a healthy breakfast.

Amai Mnangagwa said boys attending the camp were now her ambassadors and urged them to befriend one another, embrace the teachings and share with their peers who did not have the opportunity to attend the camp.

“My children, you have come to learn, interact and have fun at the same time. I want you to enjoy yourselves during this camp. When you go back to school, share with your peers what you would have learnt and the lessons will help you now and in future. You will be rotating, after you, there will be another group drawn from all provinces.

“Girls had their own camp and I will also rotate them. You are coming from different provinces and schools so I want you to create everlasting friendships and to assist each other with homework when you go back to school. As boys, what do you do when you wake up?”

The boys responded saying they spread their beds and bath.

“That is good. We are going to do all those practical lessons so that when you grow up, you will be responsible and not depart from the lessons. You should also help with other chores at home as instructed by your parents and elders. We are preparing you to be better people tomorrow,” she said.

Amai Mnangagwa humbly asked the teachers who accompanied the children to spare some time for them at school so that they impart what they learnt to their colleagues.

After serving them breakfast, Amai Mnangagwa grouped the boys so that they could clean their kitchen utensils, clean the tables and mop the floors.

The First Lady noticed that those who were doing dishes were not doing it to perfection while those tasked to clean the floor, could not mop thoroughly.

Some of them told the Mother of the Nation that it was their first time to do household chores hence needed guidance. The First Lady took it upon herself to teach them how it was done.

She demonstrated by sweeping and mopping the floors while the boys watched. She also taught them how to clean and dry the plates and cups.

She encouraged the boys to always practice at home what she had taught them.

“You are now ambassadors of the First Lady and as you leave this place, you will be my ambassador who will tell the story of what you have learnt,” the mother of the nation said to wild applause.

During break time, the children played games, while waiting for the next session.

They were later taken to the kitchen by the First Lady to help chefs in preparing lunch.

They were taught to slaughter chickens and cut them into pieces for the pot.

They were also taught to cut tomatoes, onions and vegetables.

Amai Mnangagwa proceeded to address the boys and those gathered, enlightening them on what the camp entails.

She implored them to stay away from romantic relationships before the time was ripe and to shun drug and substance abuse.

“I am happy that you are willing to learn through both theory and practical lessons. We want to equip you with life lessons so that you become well-mannered and responsible boys. I would like to congratulate you as the first group of boys to attend the First Lady’s National Boys Camp. When you come here, it means I have embraced you into my custody. I do not want deviant boys.

“When you go back to your schools and communities, you are going to be teachers to your peers. I will be in constant communication with you when you go back. These days, your age group is engaging in social vices. I want you to have a mindset shift when you leave this place. Encourage your peers to have good manners,” the First Lady said.

She asked the boys to outline the characteristics of a well behaved boy.

Tinashe Nyika responded saying: “The boy should be trustworthy, respectful and ever ready to take advice.”

Jayden Mufaro said a well-mannered boy, is a boy who is responsible such that if instructed to do certain chores at home or homework, he complies.

Another boy added, “In class, not all of us are academically-gifted, but if you are focused and well-mannered, you will make it by studying hard. I want to encourage all my friends here to take their school work seriously.”

The First Lady also touched on good hygiene practices. She said good hygiene is important to keep diseases at bay.

“After waking up, I am happy you said you prioritise bathing and making up your room. It is important to bathe every day and brush your teeth because good personal hygiene is important.

On drugs, Dr Mnangagwa said a well-behaved boy does not take drugs.

“As your mother, I want to see you all young boys grow up to be successful men equipped with technical and intellectual skills and for you to be morally upright.

“If you take drugs, then you are not morally upright. Drugs destroy your future, they damage your internal organs leading to death. Keep these teachings close to your hearts, they are important. Avoid peer pressure and choose your friends wisely. Choose a friend with the same mindset as yours. If you choose a good friend, you will go far,” she said.

How do you choose a good friend, what are the qualities of a good friend? the First Lady asked.

The boys responded by saying they look at one’s behaviour at home and school.

They added that for one to attract good friends, he should also be morally upright.

The First Lady also talked about love relationships urging boys not to rush into relationships before the time is ripe.

In response Craig Muzora confirmed that even primary school kids were involved in romantic relationships.

Another one concurred that it was not ideal for them to be involved in love affairs.

He however said if he was to impregnate a girl, he would run away from responsibility.

“Mhamha chokwadi kuita zvevasikana tiri vana vadiki hazvina kunaka because the girl might end up falling pregnant. If I am to make her pregnant, I will not accept responsibility and run away from her. Responsibility ndinenge ndisati ndakuigona,” he said.

The First Lady quickly reprimanded him.

“Why would you run away, instead, you should own up and accept the fate. However, as a mother I am saying desist from love affairs until you are mature and empowered. Take your studies seriously and be successful in your careers,” she said.

She then called Chaplain Christine Phiri from the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services to also talk to the boys.

She weighed in on the dangers of being involved in romantic relationships at a young age. “Why is it that most young boys are rushing into sexual activities like what Amai highlighted?

Responding to the question a grade seven pupil said those who are into it call it “time pusher” with no strings attached.

Another one weighed in saying he has a friend who is in Form One who has a girlfriend.

“My friend who is in Form One has a girlfriend. I asked him why he was doing that and he said I wouldn’t understand. I feel he is too young to be in a love relationship,” he said.

Others said Grade seven boys were also involved in love affairs to the extent that they stole money at home to buy jiggies (corn snacks) and sweets for their girlfriends.

Chaplain Phiri urged the boys to resist temptation from girls.

“Amai is saying your degree is your first girlfriend. Do not let social media influence you. Use social media wisely and stay away from negative things that distract you,” she said.

A Grade Six pupil asked: “What is the right age to have a girlfriend? At school, some are saying seven years.”

His colleague responded, “I think it is 18 years and above. Girls must not be fooled by these small boys who cannot even afford to buy an undergarment.”

During the day, the boys had an opportunity to learn valuable life lessons through the Gota programme.

They were left armed with vast knowledge on various issues concerning the boy child after spending time with traditional chiefs, elderly men and teachers who took them through the educative Gota/Ixiba programme.

They were taught what was expected of them so that they would become responsible men in the future.

“The First Lady has chosen to teach you at this tender age because she cares so much about you as you are the future of tomorrow.

“Boys must be taught various chores and understand them so that when they meet challenges in the future they succeed. Social media is contaminating our culture whereby boys just meet a girl on a bus and do not take time to know her.

After the Gota session, participants outlined the benefits of the programme, with some of them citing that they do not have such opportunities at home. They thanked Amai Mnangagwa for the lessons learnt.

Activities lined up for them include ball games, career guidance, grooming and stay in school, talent shows, poetry competitions, devotion, traditional games, catering and team-building activities, among others. – Herald