Online Reporter
Blessings Chidakwa in SHURUGWI
FIRST Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa’s community engagement programme in Shurugwi, Midlands Province, brought together a large crowd for an interactive session focused on strengthening families and promoting positive social values.
The engagement underscored the First Lady’s commitment to empowering communities through dialogue and knowledge sharing, as residents exchanged views on how families were guided in the past and how such values can be restored in modern society.
The programme provided a relaxed platform for community members to openly share wisdom and experiences on key issues affecting households, including domestic violence, promiscuity among married couples, poor hygiene, and the importance of unity within the family unit.
Philanthropist par excellence, Mother Zimbabwe, also extended her support to the elderly, child-headed families and people with disabilities through the distribution of food hampers and mealie-meal.
During the engagement, the First Lady called on mothers to take a firm and responsible role at home, saying their good conduct helps guide children, positively influence fathers and restore discipline.
Dr Mnangagwa raised concern over the growing problem of drug and substance abuse, saying it is affecting families and children across communities and often leading to many other social challenges.
She also urged families to promote cleanliness, seek medical care when needed and work together to curb rising divorce, which leaves many children and vulnerable people at risk.
Dr Mnangagwa reaffirmed her commitment to supporting the vulnerable not only in words but through action, donating groceries and mealie-meal to the elderly, child-headed families and people living with disabilities.
Following this, elderly women and men addressed the gathering, urging married couples to respect the institution of marriage, practise fidelity and improve communication.
People hand over food hampers donated by First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa to elderly people at Selukwe Primary School in Shurugwi, Midlands Province.
One of the most captivating moments that had the crowd in stitches was when an elderly man described how elders used to protect their marriages.
“We used to say that when I was coming home from the beer garden or tavern, I would walk home singing songs so my wife would know I was on my way. If there was a lover in the house, they would quietly leave.
“Women, also beautify yourselves so husbands do not drift away,” he said.
Mrs Emily Gomwe emphasised the importance of personal hygiene in strengthening a marriage.
“Women, let us take care of ourselves by bathing regularly, so our husbands feel proud to be with us. Fathers should also maintain cleanliness, and children must be kept clean. Good hygiene is the foundation of a happy family.”
An elderly woman, Gogo Chikwemba, addressed the issue of prostitution.
“Prostitution should never be normalized under any circumstances. Even as a widow, do not spoil others’ marriages by luring other women’s husbands. Let them enjoy the life they have built with their families.”
Some beneficiaries of the First Lady’s programmes from Zvishavane in 2024, supported through business ventures for widows under the Widows Association, said that working with their own hands has been a true game changer.
A youth, Mr Enock Nyuke, noted that the bedroom should be a place of intimacy, not arguments.
“Our wives often talk about irrelevant topics in bed instead of meaningful matters,” he said.
An elderly man gives advice on sustaining marriages during First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa’s community engagement programme in Shurugwi.
Another grandmother, Mrs Muzvondiwa, added: “I want to speak on behalf of grandmothers. Let us stop wearing trousers and teaching children bad habits. These days, we no longer discipline our grandchildren; instead, we just ask them to buy us biscuits.”
A youth, Kudakwashe Zambe, emphasised that married women should dress modestly.
“The attire of a married woman should be different from that of young girls.
“Nowadays, some compete to wear tight clothes, which makes it difficult for men to distinguish them from younger women,” he said.
Mrs Makura, known as Mai Machicken, highlighted the importance of hard work in a strong family.
“Work with your own hands. I earn a profit on every chicken I sell, and with dedication, I can fully support my family,” she said.
A woman gives advice on sustaining marriages during First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa’s community engagement programme in Shurugwi.
After the session, Dr Mnangagwa distributed the food hampers and mealie-meal to the elderly, people with disabilities, and child-headed families, reaffirming her commitment to supporting vulnerable groups through action.
Chief Nhema paid glowing tribute to the First Lady for her life-transforming programmes, saying she continues to leave no one and no place behind.
“We thank you, First Lady, for this programme. Since you started it, we are seeing a lot of positive change. Let us bring back the lost children, because they no longer know where they are going.
“So we thank you, Mother, as we are being guided to live with good morals. A person without morals is not a person but an animal.
“We pray that God continues to give you strength, as we see the work you are doing, even through your rehabilitation centre for those who were unable to help themselves.”
Chief Nhema added that even university graduates sometimes abuse alcohol and forget the sacrifices their parents made.
“As elders, it is our responsibility to guide our grandchildren, especially when we see them confused or speaking incoherently,” he said.
An elderly woman gives advice on sustaining marriages during First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa’s community engagement programme in Shurugwi, Midlands Province.
Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube, commended the initiative, describing it as timely and impactful.
Minister Ncube also praised the First Lady for her tremendous work through the Angel of Hope Foundation, which has united the entire nation.
He applauded Dr Mnangagwa for uplifting the living standards of widows, orphans, people living with disabilities, and all the disadvantaged.
“As Midlands Province, we bear testimony to the good works carried out by our First Lady from the Zambezi to the Limpopo. As a province, we remain grateful.
“Her initiatives include promoting our culture and heritage, restoring Zimbabwean values, encouraging the consumption of traditional foods beyond our borders, strengthening programmes such as Gota and Nhanga, fighting drug and substance abuse, and establishing rehabilitation centres.”
The community engagement programme once again demonstrated Dr Mnangagwa’s dedication to nurturing strong families and cohesive communities, with residents leaving the gathering encouraged and equipped with valuable lessons for everyday life.
