Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
NO language can express the boundless purity, comforting qualities, power, beauty and heroism of a mother’s love, thus when Mother Zimbabwe — Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa — came down to Mutare last Saturday to visit kidney cancer patient, 13-year-old Adrian Tavonga Gurumbadza at St Joseph’s Mission Hospital, not only the youngster was touched, but his parents and staff at the medical institution were visibly heartened.
For young Adrian, whose last wish in life was to meet the First Lady apart from the desire to write ZIMSEC Grade Seven examinations which he finished on Monday, a mother’s arms are more comforting than anyone else’s, and so was Mother Zimbabwe’s passionate hug.
At that moment, Adrian, who has been battling cancer for nearly two years, had his dream come true when he finally met the First Lady.
His eyes glowed, and for a brief moment, his pain seemed to melt away.
Dr Mnangagwa held his hand gently, offering words of comfort that drew tears from both Adrian’s parents and hospital staff.
“I am here, my son. I have come to see you,” she told him softly.
“You are not alone. You are loved. You are strong. You will heal and stay well at home. God is in control. You are a brave young man. I am proud of you, and I want you to keep holding on to your dreams.”
As Mother Zimbabwe took time to embrace him, he felt relieved. His biggest wish had just been achieved when Mother Zimbabwe walked into his hospital ward at St Joseph’s Mission Hospital.
The First Lady’s gentle presence wrapped around him, offering the calmness he rarely felt.
Dr Mnangagwa’s gentle words and caring presence provided solace to the boy, reminding him of his strength and worth.
In his faint voice, Adrian recognised the First Lady: “I know you, Amai Mnangagwa. Maita basa mauya kuzondiona.”
For months, he had clung to this dream, telling anyone who would listen that his desire in life was to meet the First Lady.
Adrian also asked for some photos to be taken with the First Lady, a wish she gladly granted.
The Mother of the Nation, who spent most of the day with Adrian, and was deeply moved by his bravery, also took time to feed him.
During her visit, the caring Mother Zimbabwe also provided Adrian with all the essential medicines to support his ongoing treatment.
She also extended her hand to the boy with a good-wish card and a bouquet of flowers.
For Adrian, the First Lady also ensured that additional medicines were sourced from
Harare for him, and were delivered on the same day.
The family was also treated with an assortment of food hampers, toiletries and blankets, a gesture aimed at easing their plight.
The thoughtful act brought smiles and relief to the household, further demonstrating Mother Zimbabwe’s commitment to supporting the needy.
In her parting words, Mother Zimbabwe wished Adrian well and all the best as he finishes his last examination tomorrow.
“I will come back again to visit you. Write your last exam well. I wish you all the best. You will excel.
“God will keep guiding you. We will pray for you day and night,” she said.
Placing aside all her pressing commitments, to find time to come down all the way from Harare, just to grant Adrian’s last wish of life was a living testimony that youth fades, love droops, the leaves of friendship fall, but a mother’s secret hope outlives them all.
Adrian, a Grade Seven learner from St Joseph’s Primary School in Mutare, has shown extraordinary resilience despite his illness.
Pediatric doctors at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare have declared his cancer incurable and discharged him for palliative care at home.
Since being diagnosed with left kidney cancer, also known as Wilms tumour, in December 2023, life has never been the same for Adrian.
But above all, Adrian often spoke of one dream that gave him strength: meeting the First Lady.
As he continues to battle cancer, the boy’s wish was fulfilled, a gift of love and dignity.
And when his story is told, Adrian will, not only be remembered as a cancer patient, but a symbol of courage, hope and the unbreakable spirit of a child who never stopped believing.
Even while bedridden, he sat for his national examinations from his hospital ward, determined not to let his condition rob him of his education.
Even after Dr Mnangagwa’s departure, the boy remained calm, resting peacefully, sustained by the warmth of her embrace.
Adrian’s parents, Mr Wellington and Mrs Sphiwe Gurumbadza shed tears as they were overwhelmed by Dr Mnangagwa’s love as shown by her visit and an assortment of gifts she brought for the family
Mrs Gurumbadza said the family felt deeply honoured by the First Lady’s gesture.
“As a mother, I am truly grateful and humbled. Adrian always talked about this wish, and today it has been fulfilled.
“We are passing through a very difficult time, but what Amai has done has given us comfort and hope. We pray that God blesses her, and that the same love and kindness she has shown to us will be extended to others.”
Visibly moved, Adrian’s grandmother, Mbuya Chipo Gurumbadza, said she was overwhelmed by the First Lady’s gesture.
“I am overwhelmed that the First Lady put everything aside and made the sacrifice to come and see Adrian,” she said.
“Our mother has shown so much love. May God bless her in the work that she is doing.”
As Health and Child Care Ambassador, Dr Mnangagwa also pledged to support St Joseph’s Mission Hospital with medical consumables and equipment, blankets and foodstuffs, among several other items, through her Angel of Hope Foundation.
Upon learning of the First Lady’s visit to young Adrian, one netizen commented:
“Thank you Amai Mnangagwa. I feel so touched that you came all the way from Harare to visit this young boy and give him comfort, something us locals in Mutare didn’t even think of doing. Thank you ropafadzwai ndiJehovah.”
