Online Reporter
Blessings Chidakwa-Herald Reporter
FIRST LADY Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa has hosted a vibrant national camp for girls from all the country’s 10 provinces, exposing them to a wealth of life lessons through her traditional Nhanga/Gota/Ixhiba Programme.
As excitement and joy filled the air during the boot camp, children and elderly women gave Dr Mnangagwa a new name, “Mother Zimbabwe,” in recognition of her sterling works that continue to transform and inspire lives countrywide.
They said with boundless compassion, Mother Zimbabwe reaches every corner of the country, extending her care even to the most vulnerable, remote and hard-to-reach communities.
To set the tone for the camp, which is based on Christian values, a church service was held upon the girls’ arrival last Sunday, led by Sister Lister Mpofu of Brethren in Christ.
Mother Zimbabwe, First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa supervise girls from all the country’s 10 provinces as they prepared dough for baking buns and traditional bread during a girls camp she organised for them. – Pictures: John Manzongo.
On Monday, the day began with early morning aerobics, followed by bed-spreading, cleaning their rooms and the compound, before breakfast was served by Dr Mnangagwa herself, together with women from the local community.
Afterwards, the girls participated in a practical Nhanga session, where one of the elderly women properly taught them how to smartly slaughter and prepare chickens.
Fascinatingly, a cheeky baboon managed to snatch away one of the live road runner chickens, much to the girls’ amazement. “Our First Lady gave us 10 road runner chickens, but unfortunately one was stolen by a baboon,” said one of the girls with a mix of laughter and disbelief.
They then prepared the road runner chickens for a traditional meal which also included dishes such as sadza rezviyo, mupunga nemufushwa une dovi.
Some of the dishes prepared included pumpkins, sweet potatoes, rice, among several others.
First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa shares a cup of tea with policewomen who she said play a pivotal role in nurturing young children as they are mothers first in their homes before they are law enforcers. They were also imparting practical life skills to girls at the camp organised by Dr Mnangagwa.
The girls were also taught to make buns and traditional bread in a traditional moulded oven.
Their cooking skills impressed the First Lady, who also shared tips and encouraged them to take pride in such homemaking skills.
Laughter erupted during the session when one girl who cooked chicken offals openly confessed why she does not like eating chicken feet, leaving the gathering in high spirits.
“I don’t eat chicken feet because I often see a road runner running around foraging in the toilet,” she said.
Among the activities, the girls also participated in poetry, where Bulawayo Province came top, followed by Masvingo. In speech competitions, Mashonaland West Province topped, followed by Harare, proving their eloquence and creativity.
There were also spirited performances of song and dance before the girls were imparted with life lessons from the Mother of the Nation.
First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa and schoolgirls observe as one of the elderly women demonstrated to girls how to cut a road runner chickens into various pieces according to Zimbabwean culture and tradition during a girls camp.
Dr Mnangagwa’s teachings covered critical topics such as personal hygiene, menstrual health, the dangers of early relationships, and the importance of focusing on education.
“I called this gathering to empower you, the girl child, so that you know who you are, while also teaching each other essential household chores. I want to shape you into responsible girls who know what to do.
“Your future starts here, so you need to prepare yourselves today for tomorrow. Have self-respect, because when you respect yourself, you will also respect others,” she said.
The First Lady, whom girls referred to as Mother Zimbabwe, urged them not only to embrace the lessons but also to take them back home, sharing with peers in their respective provinces.
“A girl’s body needs to be well taken care of from the way you bathe, dress, walk, and even sit. The way a girl presents herself is very important.
“You cannot value yourself properly if you are mischievous; discipline is needed because it will help you excel in school. Focus on your studies,” she added.
Dr Mnangagwa further encouraged the girls to be focused and disciplined.
One of the elderly women teach girls traditional values and norms on how they can be upright girls in the presence of First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa during nhanga session at the girls camp.
“You need to know who you are and what you want to become. Believe in yourself, and also be content with what you have in your family.
“I came with elderly women to teach you everything a girl child should know so that you grow in confidence,” she said.
The First Lady also urged children to shun drug and substance abuse, cautioning that such habits ruin their health, destroy their future, and derail their dreams.
First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa was named “Mother Zimbabwe” by the girls she is hosting at a girls camp because of her unwavering commitment and dedication to empowering all Zimbabweans including those hard to reach areas. In the photo she is making sure the girls are enjoying their breakfast and she would constantly spread margarine and peanut butter on the bread eaten by the girls.
“My children, say no to drugs and substances they destroy your health, your education, and your future,” she said.
Community women, also visibly moved by the First Lady’s empowerment initiative, praised her unwavering efforts to restore good morals, describing her as “Mother Zimbabwe” for reaching even the most remote areas with life-transforming programmes.
“We are deeply humbled by your wonderful programmes across the country, our First Lady, reaching even the hardest-to-reach areas. For us, you are our Mother Zimbabwe,” one woman said, much to the applause of all in attendance.
A girl child also concurred that the First Lady is indeed Mother Zimbabwe, as they are living proof of her life-changing programmes.
Schoolgirls from all the country’s provinces are taught how to make up their beds at the girls camp organised by First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa to instil life skills in them.
“You are championing several programmes to empower us girls. We who came for the girls’ camp are more than lucky to directly tap from your wise counsel. Indeed, you are our Mother Zimbabwe,” said one of the girls.
The elderly women from the community, who accompanied the First Lady, underscored the value of preserving one’s virginity and the dangers of immoral behaviour such as chiramu. They also advised the girls to choose friends wisely, shun sexual experimentation, and prioritise their studies.
One elderly woman spoke on the importance of virginity, emphasising that it is a treasure every girl should guard with pride.
Schoolgirls from all the country’s provinces participate in the morning physical exercises at the girls camp organised by First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa to instil life skills in them.
“My daughters, your virginity is a crown. Once it is lost, it cannot be restored. Protect it, for it is a gift you should carry into your marriage,” she said.
Another elderly woman cautioned the girls about sexual dalliance, or chiramu (playful or inappropriate joking between in-laws), warning that it has often led many astray.
Schoolgirls from all the provinces pray during a devotion service on arrival at the girls camp organised by First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa to instil life skills in them.
“Do not allow chiramu to be misused. What was once harmless cultural jest can easily be twisted into sin. Guard your dignity and always know your limits,” she said.
A fellow elderly woman encouraged the girls to focus on their studies.
Schoolgirls are taught how to sweep and tide the yard, their rooms and their environment at the girls camp organised by First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa to instil life skills in them.
“Books are your wings, my daughters. With education, you can fly beyond poverty, beyond dependence, beyond limitation. Let no one convince you that learning is less important than marriage,” she said.
Another elder reminded the girls that marriage should not be seen as the ultimate goal in life.
Schoolgirls learn how to cut a road runner chicken into various pieces according to Zimbabwean culture and tradition during a girls camp organised by First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa.
“As you grow older, know that getting married is not the peak of your life. It is just one of many paths. Do not measure your worth by a ring on your finger, but by the value you add to this world,” she explained.
The event was punctuated with powerful interludes, including a hard-hitting performance by popular Bulawayo-based arts ensemble IYASA, which dramatised the dangers of drug and substance abuse.
Girls clean their plates and dishes after meals during a girls camp organised by First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa to instil life skills in them.
The Gota/Nhanga/ Ixhiba initiative, which the First Lady is rolling out nationwide, forms part of her broader mission to curb moral decay among the youth and build a generation of responsible, disciplined citizens.
Peter Tanyanyiwa