First Lady tours Agricultural Show stands

First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, who is Agric4She patron, yesterday toured various pavilions at this year’s edition of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show, where she was captivated by the scale of women’s involvement in agriculture and the quality of produce on display.

The high-quality crops on display were a clear testimony to the immense investment of time and expertise that the First Lady has dedicated through her inclusive Agric4She farming programmes, resulting in success across the country.

It was also a scene painted in joy and colour as Mother Zimbabwe toured the exhibition stands.

Children, their faces glowing with excitement, skipped alongside their parents and broke into spontaneous chants of “Mhamha vedu! Mhamha!” The chorus, sweet and rhythmic, rippled through the crowd, wrapping the moment in warmth and belonging.

The First Lady paused to greet the little ones, bending low to their level, her trademark smile lighting up their innocence. Parents watched with pride, some ululating, others clapping in rhythm with the children’s chants.

Mother Zimbabwe was also touched to see children living out her teachings, including a little girl who knelt with heartfelt reverence as she greeted her.

In that instant, the showground transformed into not just a marketplace of innovation and produce, but a family festival where the bond between a nation and its Mother was celebrated with heartfelt affection.

Dr Mnangagwa’s first stop was at the Zanu PF stand in her capacity as the party’s Secretary for Environment.

There, she inspected an orchard, fed fingerlings at a fishpond, and appreciated traditional fruits such as masawu and mauyu, which she has long promoted as nutritious and medicinal.

Also showcased were traditional utensils, including wooden plates, cups, and clay pots.

The tour highlighted the importance of cultural tourism, with the First Lady also visiting the Garden of Remembrance.

The First Lady underscored the value of the memorial site as a way to preserve genealogy and allow future generations to learn and engage with Zimbabwean cultural heritage.

“On tombstones, we should include history recording how someone passed away, what kind of life they lived. A record of their time: what our grandmothers used to eat, what they enjoyed, and what they valued.

“This way, the next generation will know about our culture. They will see history written on the graves,” she said.

Dr Mnangagwa later proceeded to the Seed Co stand, where she was impressed by the display of high-quality crops such as cabbages, onions, sunflowers, and traditional grains, including finger millet, sorghum, soya beans, and barley.

Seed Co Group Head of Agronomy, Mrs Wendy Madzura, commended the First Lady for consistently advocating for women’s participation in agriculture and the promotion of traditional grains.

Another highlight of Mother Zimbabwe’s tour was a stop at her “Amai’s Kitchen,” where visitors were treated to an array of indigenous dishes prepared by chiefs’ wives and winners of the First Lady’s traditional cook-out competitions.

Dishes such as nhopi, sadza rezviyo, brown rice, tsuro, zvihuta, mufushwa, goat meat, and braised oxtail were served, alongside traditional beverages like maheu.

Most of the ingredients were sourced from Agric4She beneficiaries, further reinforcing the link between women farmers and food security.

At the poultry section, the First Lady received a rousing welcome from enthusiastic crowds, with children and parents breaking into spontaneous chants of praise.

Dr Mnangagwa took time to interact with the little ones, pausing to smile and greet them warmly, a moment that transformed the exhibition grounds into a festive family atmosphere.

The First Lady also engaged smallholder farmers, including rabbit breeder Mr Jackson Yotamu, as she continued to encourage sustainable and diversified farming.

Dr Mnangagwa also interacted with boys with disabilities, whom she had empowered through a poultry project, and who invited her to see the initiative she had started for them.

This year’s show, officially opened by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, is running under the theme “Building Bridges: Connecting Agriculture, Industry and Community.” – Herald