First Lady engages hundreds of children from SADC bloc

Tendai Rupapa, Senior Reporter

SCORES of children from Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, South Africa and the host Zimbabwe, who are in Victoria Falls ahead of the Regional World Children’s Day Celebrations, yesterday spent time with the First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa.

The commemorations will be officially opened by President Mnangagwa today.

Games, merriment and friendly discourse were the order of the day as the First Lady interacted with the children.

As more than 300 children were teeing off in a golf tournament, which the First Lady hosted at the Elephant Hills Hotel golf course, Amai Mnangagwa joined them much to their delight.

The children, who are at primary and secondary school level, also had chess competitions.

They hugged and interacted with Dr Mnangagwa in scenes that captured the imagination of the world, showing her boundless love for the young ones.

World Children’s Day, which takes place each year on November 20, marks the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959 as well as the Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in 1989.

First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa interacts with children from Mozambique

This year’s commemorations are running under the theme: “Educate and skill an African child for posterity”.

During her exchanges with the children, Amai Mnangagwa emphasised the need for them to be disciplined and prayerful. “You should be disciplined in all you do and as a mother I will pray for you. A mother’s prayer means a lot; it protects you wherever you go. I wish you all the best my children and I want you to make friends amongst yourselves,” she said as the children clapped their hands in amusement.

First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa celebrates scoring as she played golf with children from Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe

Children from Sadc countries play golf during the 2024 World Children’s Day commemorations in Victoria Falls yesterday

First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa interacts with children from her home in Chiredzi who are attending the 2024 Regional World Children’s Day commemorations in Victoria Falls

First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa is taught how to play golf by children from Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe who are attending the 2024 Regional World Children’s Day commemorations in Victoria Falls

Children play chess during the 2024 World Children’s Day

First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa hugs one of the children from Botswana

First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa interacts with children from South Africa

First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa interacts with children from Botswana

First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa interacts with a boy from Malawi

First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa interacts with children

First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa interacts with children from Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe during the 2024 World Children’s Day commemorations in Victoria Falls yesterday

First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa dances with children from Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe during the 2024 World Children’s Day commemorations in Victoria Falls yesterday. — Pictures: John Manzongo