Online Reporter
Blessings Chidakwa
Senior Reporter
IN a unique and unprecedented move, First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa has launched the groundbreaking Doek Drive, a symbol of respect, dignity and womanhood aimed at restoring and promoting cultural values among women.
The oversubscribed initiative, which attracted multitudes of people, places the traditional doek and zambia (wrapper) at the centre of womanhood, ensuring that women are not stripped of their pride while also promoting modesty.
The doek and zambia are not merely garments, but a proud expression of African identity.
The action-oriented First Lady personally handed over doeks, zambias, women’s innerwear, blankets and groceries to the elderly and those with disabilities in attendance in Shamva, Mashonaland Central province, describing them as a symbol of honour, identity and pride.
However, the initiative went beyond doeks and zambias, as every attendee went home with goodies, including an assortment of clothes, groceries and mealie meal, bringing relief to families who have been battling to make ends meet.
The First Lady’s Doek Drive will be rolled out countrywide, reaching more women in both rural and urban communities as it expands.
As the programme begins its journey, the message from the First Lady is clear: Dignity must be protected, and every woman deserves to stand tall, wrapped in pride and supported with love.
Speaking during the packed launch, Dr Mnangagwa said a mother’s way of dressing should be exemplary.
“Women, you are leaders. The way a mother dresses shows what kind of person she is. As mothers, we teach our children how to dress and how to behave. In the upbringing of elderly women, there was no confusion,” she said.
“I have come with the First Lady’s Doek Drive to dress our elderly women so that they can show us how things are properly worn, signifying dignity in a woman.
“A woman is the one who holds the family together so that the home has dignity.”
The First Lady warned women against the pull-her-down syndrome, including avoiding destroying what they found in the home; instead, urging them to build on it so that the household remains peaceful.
Dr Mnangagwa said in instances where a man dies, some women were plundering wealth with boyfriends, a move she castigated even among married women, saying “one foot in the house and one foot outside” is not being faithful.
“Some women enter new marriages already pregnant by another man. Women, be faithful in your conduct. Always be a person whose character defines you as a mother,” she said.
The First Lady, who also spoke against child marriages, saying they complicate health matters, issued a stern warning to parents to avoid using children as weapons between a mother and father.
Dr Mnangagwa said some mothers are influencing children to fight against their fathers, and that is wrong, because a child should respect both parents while being involved in positive things, especially engaging in projects, including farming.
Energetic and popular evangelist Nelly Gwatidzo applauded the First Lady for coming up with the Doek Drive, an initiative she said was meant to restore the dignity and pride of the woman by adorning her head.
“A mother is recognised through modesty and the covering of her head. Our mother is not only dressing the outside, but also uplifting the inner woman. This initiative is not only about clothing, but about restoring identity, respect and cultural pride.
“Mothers, I say to you, let us return to dignity. In our homes, there was always a doek, a symbol of respect and womanhood. A woman does not appear anyhow. She must be presentable, she must be dignified,” she said.
Evangelist Gwatidzo urged women to teach children proper dressing and good morals, saying in the past, elderly women used to guide with discipline and cultural values, and there was no indecency.
“We are here to ensure that our grandmothers and mothers are properly clothed, so that they themselves become examples of dignity and proper conduct,” she said.
“A woman should be guided, educated and carry herself with honour. Mothers are leaders in the home. They are the foundation of the family.”
It was a highly interactive session as the First Lady also gave the community a platform to air out their concerns about issues eroding the social fabric, starting with dressing for women.
A granny who left the crowd in stitches said: “Isu tichikura chidya chemukadzi chaisaonekwa pachena. Mudzimai chengetedza kubva pahuro kusvika pamabvi nokuti ndopaunobvisirwa pfuma apa.
“Madzimai kupfeka kwamakaita matrousers makateedzera zvisirizvo Mwari nekusika kwake akati vakadzi tinopfeka madress nokuda kwekusikwa kwatakaitwa.
“Varume vanopfeka matrousers vakafitwa, iwe mukadzi ukaripfeka kumberi unoita gomba.”
Another granny said: “Mabvi edu haafaniri kuonekwa, mafambiro, mapfekero. Tsika neunhu zvemunhukadzi kupfeka zvinopfuura mabvi.”
Another incident that also drew laughter was when one gogo said: “Vanamai tsiurai vana, even kuchechi musapfeke maminiskirts, vafundisi vanhu, mwoyo yavo inosimukawo,” she said.
A grandfather also weighed in, saying: “Vasikana vari kufamba vakashama, mukomana aine mufoyi, pavasangana dzava mhuka. Vopanana vana vavanochengetesa vabereki.”
Among the issues discussed was that some men no longer have time for their wives in the bedroom as they are constantly drunk.
Others lamented that some husbands, due to their love of alcohol and laziness, were marrying off their daughters at bars.
It was also noted that some wives were being forced into prostitution in order to fend for their families.
Women also admitted that they, too, were becoming drunkards at home, competing with their husbands.
Cases of child delinquency were also said to be rife in the community, with one learner attributing the vice to a lack of good parenting.
“Our parents are not exemplary. Some of them even wear miniskirts. Some of our parents are always waiting for free handouts and are not working. We are lacking guidance from our parents,” said the boy.
Elderly men from the community also aired their views with regard to the matter.
One man responded, saying: “We need to adopt attitudes that benefit our children . . . Parents must make time for their children despite our busy schedules. Let us not abandon our cultural values.”
Even mothers weighed in, with one saying: “Children should not be used as weapons between mothers and fathers. Mothers, you are influencing children to fight against their fathers. That is wrong. A child must respect both parents.
“Do not involve children in your disputes. Instead, involve them in positive matters, especially farming.”
Other contributions were also shared, urging mothers to avoid leaving sadza behind for them as if they are heads of the family, and to refrain from teaming up with children against their fathers.
Beneficiaries of the programme could not hide their emotions as they received the items.
For them, the gifts represented more than clothing and food, but a restoration of hope and confidence.
For 102-year-old granny Feritta Ngadze, Dr Mnangagwa’s love to restore culture was unprecedented.
“I am truly grateful to the First Lady for remembering us as elderly women. This doek is not just a cloth, but a sign of love and respect. May God bless her for her kind heart and for thinking of us in our old age,” she said.
“This donation is more than a gift; it is encouragement and dignity for women. We thank her for standing with us and supporting us as mothers.”
Another beneficiary, Judith Chinofura (78), was equally grateful.
“I want to thank the First Lady for this wonderful gesture through the Doek Drive. It shows that she cares about women and understands our needs.
“We feel honoured and valued as mothers of this nation. It is a blessing to have her as our First Lady,” she said.
Granny Ariberia Kangai (75) thanked Dr Mnangagwa for restoring cultural values among women.
“We are very happy to receive these doeks, zambias and groceries. I would like to thank the First Lady for supporting women and for always giving with a generous heart,” she said.
“This support means a lot to us, especially as elderly women and the younger generation who should emulate us.”
Another beneficiary, Sarah Nohuje (74), said she was glad to witness cultural restoration in force.
“The Doek Drive has brought joy to many women like me. It is not easy these days, but her assistance has shown us that we are not forgotten,” she said.
The Shamva community also hailed the First Lady for introducing an initiative that directly addresses the everyday realities faced by women, saying the programme stands out as a rare, culturally rooted intervention that recognises womanhood and restores self-worth.
The business community also hailed the initiative, highlighting that they are drawing inspiration from the First Lady, who is always setting an example when it comes to caring for the vulnerable.
Mr Samuel Tinashe Rusike, who also partnered the Angel of Hope Foundation through blanket donations, said the First Lady’s teachings and philanthropic work continue to inspire them to support her noble causes.
“Our loving mother is an inspiration to us. Despite it being a holiday, she decided to spend time with us, teaching us about our cultural values and norms, particularly on how families should remain united, as their breakdown usually affects children,” he said.
“Although I came to support Her Excellency through donations, I also learnt a lot about what it truly means to uphold hunhu or ubuntu.”
Ms Sibongile Maphosa from Mutapa Gold Resources, a member of the Mutapa Investment Fund, said it was a great honour that the First Lady had taken time to demonstrate her love and commitment to philanthropy by donating to elderly women in the community.
Ms Maphosa said the gesture had encouraged them to continue implementing corporate social responsibility initiatives that also support women and youths in the community.
“We have learned a lot today in terms of our cultural values and what is expected of us as the youth. We have also drawn valuable lessons from the donations she has made.
“As we return to the companies we work for, we can only strive to emulate her exemplary actions,” she said.
The distribution of doeks and wrappers carries a deep cultural meaning, as the items have long been recognised as a symbol of respect, responsibility and dignity in African society.
