Online Reporter
Blessings Chidakwa
Senior Reporter
THE Baradzanwa Cultural Village in Mazowe came alive as multitudes of women from across the country thronged the scenic venue to join First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa in commemorating Mother’s Day through a vibrant nhanga session and luncheon.
Women drawn from across the country, including various religious denominations, chiefs’ wives, community leaders and young girls, arrived in large numbers last Sunday, turning the day into a colourful national celebration of motherhood, culture and moral guidance.
Dr Mnangagwa said Mother’s Day was a special occasion that reminded society to celebrate mothers for their sacrifice, patience and unconditional love.
As the First Lady arrived at the iconic Baradzanwa Cultural Village, she received a rousing welcome marked by lively song and dance from smartly clad women of Johanne Masowe eChishanu.
In a warm and celebratory Mother’s Day spirit, flowers were exchanged as a gesture of appreciation and love.
Women presented a stunning bouquet to the First Lady in recognition of her continued efforts in uplifting communities and supporting families.
In return, Dr Mnangagwa also offered elegant flowers to women from various churches, chiefs’ wives and members of the community, in a symbolic expression of gratitude and honour for motherhood.
After the nhanga session, the First Lady also hosted a well-curated Mother’s Day luncheon in honour of women, paying tribute to their immense contribution to nurturing families and driving community development.
The event featured a thoughtfully arranged setting and a selection of delicious traditional cuisine that reflected warmth, hospitality and appreciation for the guests.
This was followed by a tour of the iconic Baradzanwa Cultural Village, where guests captured memorable photographs and immersed themselves in the rich cultural heritage beautifully showcased at the site.
Indeed, the day blended cultural mentorship and celebration, as the nhanga session provided a platform for elderly women and those from the religious sector to impart life skills, moral values and cultural knowledge to young girls, equipping them for responsible adulthood.
Speaking during a highly interactive nhanga session, the First Lady said the preservation of indigenous knowledge systems remained key to strengthening families and building morally upright communities.
The Culture and Heritage Ambassador urged young girls to uphold good values, practise personal and menstrual hygiene, and prioritise education, saying that a strong foundation at a young age was vital for the future of the nation.
“Young girls, be trustworthy and know your purpose. We all have responsibilities at home, and these are lessons we must learn and uphold,” she said.
Dr Mnangagwa also interacted with the girls, enquiring about their daily responsibilities at home and how they spent their time, encouraging them to be disciplined and helpful within their families.
One learner responded: “When we finish eating, we thank the person who cooked. We wash hands for our father and mother, wash the utensils, clean the sink and sweep the kitchen.”
Another said: “I wake up early in the morning and prepare food for my family. I help with house chores. There is a Grade 7 learner, another in Grade 3 and one in crèche.”
The First Lady emphasised the importance of hygiene, saying plates should be washed in the evening, as leaving them unwashed may attract flies, cockroaches and rats, which can contaminate utensils and pose serious health risks to the household.
The girls responded by sharing their experiences. One said, “If we do not wash the plates, cockroaches, rats and cats come and lick them.”
The First Lady also asked who cooks, and the response was: “Everyone cooks. Housework has no gender.”
One girl said: “My brothers finished writing their exams last year, but they cook vegetables while I prepare sadza. We eat around 6pm so that our grandmother can take her medication. At 7pm we have a family discussion, from 8 to 9 we study, and at 9 we go to sleep.”
The First Lady said time for conversation is important because it helps them know each other better, and someone who has a problem can feel relieved.
Mother Zimbabwe also cautioned the girls about the dangers of irresponsible social media use, urging them to use digital platforms in ways that promote learning, discipline and personal development.
She further posed a question to the girls, asking how they spend their time and whether it is being used in a way that adds value to their lives or merely consumes their attention without purpose.
The girls frankly shared their views, with one saying: “Nowadays, at home, our parents are always on their phones, while we are watching TV or using laptops, so there is no time for interaction between parents and us.”
Another said: “We are mostly watching Indian films and using TikTok.”
Dr Mnangagwa said although technology has advanced and become part of daily life, responsible children must be able to discern what is beneficial and what is harmful to them.
She urged them to remain disciplined and pure-minded, and to distance themselves from destructive content on social media.
Dr Mnangagwa encouraged the girls to share the knowledge gained during the session with their peers in schools and communities, saying such platforms were important in shaping identity and character.
“This teaching will stay with you wherever you go. I want to thank you for coming and for representing all provinces. When you return home, you should also share and teach others in your schools,” she said.
The First Lady urged the girls to value themselves, noting that the stage they are in is “very important”, and encouraged them to focus on their education while making thoughtful plans for their future.
She said that in life, they go through five key “gowns”: a primary school gown, a high school gown, a graduation gown, a wedding gown and a maternity gown.
The Culture and Heritage Ambassador also called on parents, guardians and community leaders to revive and support nhanga-gota programmes, stressing that they complement formal education by instilling discipline, respect and cultural pride.
Chiefs’ wives and elderly women present at the gathering also offered wise counsel, guiding the girls on self-respect, responsibility and the importance of preserving Zimbabwean cultural values.
A woman from the Johanne Masowe eChishanu said: “Character is very important; let us not lose it. Let us show good character in our communities, at school and at church. Wherever you go, character is more important than the grades you have learned.”
“A girl with good character will become a good wife, a mother of the nation, and will pass on good values in society, at church and to children.”
One of the chief’s wives said: “Today you are fortunate that our First Lady has come to teach you. She has brought us together with elderly and religious women to guide and educate you. We are nurturing well-disciplined girls who do not engage in relationships with boys or behave inappropriately. Do not imitate boys’ behaviour.”
One of the elderly women said: “The First Lady is doing this to help build the character of children. If you are a child with good character, you will be respected. Respect your parents and other elderly people.
“Housework is no longer being done because children are always on phones. Working with your hands is important. If you are someone who can work for yourself, you will have a good life. No man wants a lazy woman, not just one who works in the office, but also one who works at home.”
Another elderly woman said: “The internet is full of acting; do not love such a life. Those people are pretending. Resist peer pressure; let us not be influenced into bad behaviour. Success comes from having good character. Speak respectfully, avoid slang, dress the way you want to be addressed and do not wear your trousers low.”
Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Barbara Rwodzi also addressed the gathering, encouraging the girls to value their heritage while working hard towards a brighter future.
“Be humble, have discipline and good character, and make school your number one priority,” she said.
The highly interactive session also saw young girls asking questions on issues affecting the girl child, with Dr Mnangagwa and her team responding patiently and cheerfully.
Women at the event shared testimonies on the challenges of raising families and expressed gratitude for the First Lady’s programmes that continue to complement Government efforts in areas such as health, education and livelihoods, particularly in rural communities.
Community members commended the initiative, saying it reinforced the importance of culture in promoting community unity and wellbeing.
The celebrations ended on a joyful note, with song and dance filling the air as Dr Mnangagwa joined women in commemorating Mother’s Day in true Zimbabwean spirit.
