Online Reporter
Tendai Rupapa-Senior Reporter
THE Musiiwa Community of Madziwa, Mashonaland Central Province yesterday invited First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa to witness the cleaning of homes and execution of various chores for the elderly, including a centenarian, the disabled and orphans in line with her teachings, in a rare expression of love and compassion for vulnerable groups.
However, Amai Mnangagwa, who accepted the invitation, did not just watch from the sidelines, but joined community women, including those from various churches in replanting maize and sugar beans that did not germinate well, doing laundry, cleaning houses, cooking and conversing with the elderly.
They left the places airy and with a breath of fresh air.
This comes as most elderly persons endure long periods of loneliness against the backdrop of ill-health associated with old age.
Some people accuse the elderly of witchcraft and relegate them to rural areas which they seldom visit.
But, the First Lady constantly reminds the nation that the persons in the twilight of their lives, need love, compassion and assistance.
She practices what she preaches by rolling her sleeves and personally cleaning their homes, cooking for them and sharing meals while sitting with them on a reed mat.
When the First Lady arrived at the home of Gogo Felita Ngadze (102), she was welcomed by the community before seeking permission to perform chores at the homestead.
The mother of the nation joined other women in replanting maize and beans because when Gogo Ngadze planted there was no rain and some of the crops did not germinate.
As Environment Ambassador and Agric4She patron, Dr Mnangagwa planted 10 different types of fruit trees at every homestead which was cleaned.
The community members split into groups so that they could cover many houses and not leave behind some vulnerable groups.
“We are grappling with the effects of climate change, but as Agritex officers you should urge communities to be ready because the rains have come,” The First Lady said.
Amai Mnangagwa urged the community to assist those in need, especially the elderly, child-headed families and those with disabilities.
She further encouraged agricultural extension officers to do their farming demonstrations at the homes of such people so that they benefit.
The mother of the nation distributed farming inputs to hundreds of community members, including those whose houses were visited.
Amai Mnangagwa also spoke out against child marriages, stressing the importance of ensuring children remained in school to unleash their full potential.
She began her address by wishing everyone a happy new year and said life was important.
“If we have life, we then assist one another to survive. I want to thank community that has called me here today to witness what they are doing as I taught them as we assist one another in performing household chores for the elderly. I thank women including churches for the work that has been done here today. I am thankful for the rains that are allowing our crops to germinate. I encourage all women to take to the fields so that we keep hunger at bay. I am glad that we have assisted the elderly, those with disabilities and orphans and planted crops that had not germinated. Yes, the Government assists including distributing inputs but as a mother I am saying let the Government come in when we would have done something at our homestead looking at vision 2030. Climate change has transformed our rainfall patterns therefore we must conform to the weather outlook. Today I have brought inputs for hundreds of people including maize seed, vegetable combo seed, fertilizer, knapsacks and pesticides. Let us not sell these inputs. I gave you so that you get good yields. Let us plant even our traditional grains which are nutritious and health. Today I visited the home of gogo vane 102 years who does not walk with the aid of a stick and is still very active. Her secret is that she consumes our traditional food. I also encourage you to plant trees, including fruit trees at your homesteads,” she said.
She warned communities against indiscriminately cutting trees and burning forests and highlighted their importance.
The mother of the nation decried that Mashonaland Central Province tops in terms of child marriages and said such a trend had to be reversed through behaviour change.
“Mashonaland Central tops in child marriages, why are we doing this? Why don’t we let the children go to school and realise their full potential to look after us in future. You need seeds to plant and if they learn, they will go to work and be able to buy you these seeds. I beg you all please let us say no to child marriages. Let us raise our children well and give them equal opportunities with the boy child,” she said.
The First Lady enjoined the community to live in peace and encouraged Members of Parliament to hear the people’s concerns so that they articulate them in Parliament.
“To our Chiefs, I am thankful that you are uniting families in communities and I urge you to continue doing that so that people continue living in peace,” she said.
Gogo Ngadze (102) was over the moon.
“What has happened here is so pleasing. Since my childhood and since I got married, I had never seen such a gesture. I am so happy and thankful for what Dr Mnangagwa has done for me and her teachings which people put to heart. I wish I could fly to God and tell him that I am so happy to have received such a gift from the First Lady as lowly as I am. Amai Mnangagwa is so loving and I had never seen such love,” the old woman said as she sang and danced with delight.
Mrs Joy Mpofu said she was grateful for the valuable lesson which the First Lady had given them.
“We were taught by our mother, Dr Mnangagwa that we must assist the elderly, the disabled and orphans with their chores, washing for them, cooking for them and fetching water for them. We were told to assist the needy. Today as a community we called the First Lady so that she sees us carrying forward the work she taught us because it helps achieve their chores. Here we are at Gogo Makarau’s homestead and we showed her love and performed household tasks. Some people accuse the elderly of dabbling in witchcraft and leave them wallowing in poverty as they stick to life in the city. This is not good at all because we must always tap into their wisdom,” she said happily.
Mrs Wendy Welengai echoed similar sentiments.
“I move about the homes of the elderly assisting them with their chores and weeding their yards after being taught by our mother to look after these vulnerable groups. Today we invited the First Lady to come and see what we are doing. We visits anambuya nana sekuru as they impart knowledge in us as the fortress of wisdom. They teach us good morals so that we grow up well and eat traditional dishes. We are thankful to the First Lady for coming here at short notice,” she said.
Gogo Eneresi Chikapinda (72) was swept by a tide of emotion and wept.
“I live alone here with no one to look after me. I bore 13 children out of which nine perished, leaving four who barely look after me. I go hungry and no one helps me at all. God has remembered me today. I thank Amai Mnangagwa for what she has done to me. I have no toilet and the kitchen is sagging but the children never look at me at all. Ndanga ndisina kana sipo yekuwachisa asi nhasi ndawachirwa hembe dzangu dzese and blankets. Ndinotenda,” she said in-between sobs.
Mrs Sabina Ndengu said she was overjoyed to have learnt from the best.
“I am so glad I have learnt from the best. What the First Lady taught us is very good and gives these elderly persons a deeper sense of belonging and they feel loved. This is something that we shall continue doing and also teach our children,” she said.
This dovetailed with the views expressed by Gogo Sheila Kuseni.
“What else would anyone ask for from a human being? What the First Lady has done here is a great thing. She entered the fields with us and participated in the cleaning process which means everything she does and says comes from the heart. She is a blessed woman whose teachings we must fully embrace for a brighter future,” she said with happiness written all over her face.
Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Hon Christopher Magomo praised the First Lady for her love and educative programmes.
“We have gathered under the auspices of elderly people’s empowerment support programme. This initiative backed by the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa represents a significant step in recognizing and uplifting the welfare of our elderly citizens. We are thankful for the time that you have committed to come here Amai. Your excellency, we are truly honoured and humbled to host you as we begin this new year. It is an honour that we do not take for granted and we deeply appreciate your presence. Congratulations for the new year. Amai, your unwavering commitment in driving positive change in livelihoods for vulnerable groups inspires us. Your compassion for the empowerment of disadvantaged individuals in our society is unparalleled and knows no boundary. Indeed your programmes are leaving no one and no place behind as we journey towards our vision 2030. May the Almighty God continue to bless you abundantly and provide you with the resources and energy needed to reach every person in need,” he said.
All the elderly whose houses were cleaned were given food and toiletry hampers, courtesy of the First Lady.
