Blessings Chidakwa
Senior Reporter
FIRST Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa has called for greater love, acceptance and protection of people with disabilities while raising concern over the devastating effects of drug and substance abuse, particularly among children and young people.
Mother Zimbabwe said this during an oversubscribed interface with people with albinism and persons with disabilities in Harare, where she implored communities to reject harmful superstitions and embrace the dignity and humanity of every individual.
The First Lady translated her motherly love into practical support by bringing an assortment of assistive devices, including wheelchairs and crutches, which she personally handed over to beneficiaries to enhance their mobility.
People with albinism also received essential sunscreen lotions to protect their sensitive skin against harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation and reduce the risk of sun-related skin damage.
In another complementary gesture, the First Lady extended her care to expectant mothers from both communities, who received baby preparation kits to help them prepare for the arrival of their little ones.
Addressing scores of people with albinism and disabilities on the scourge of drug and substance abuse among children and young people, Dr Mnangagwa warned that substance abuse carried devastating consequences, including death and irreversible damage to internal organs.
“Zvinodhaka zvakaipira kuti mhedzisiro yazvo rufu, pamwe pacho unosara uchifamba asi nhengo dzemukati dzapera kudyika (Drug and substance abuse is dangerous because its consequences can be fatal. In some cases, a person may remain alive and able to walk, but their internal organs would have been severely damaged),” she said.
Dr Mnangagwa expressed concern over the growing number of young people falling victim to addiction, saying the Angel of Hope Foundation Drug Rehabilitation Centre had provided many affected individuals with an opportunity to undergo rehabilitation and rebuild their lives.
The First Lady said what gave her particular joy was witnessing the transformation of beneficiaries from the time they entered the centre to their graduation.
“Except for a few rare cases of the elderly who had now been bound by addiction, what really gives me joy is the difference in the children between the day of admission and the day of graduation. The transformation is visible, and the parents are always touched by the results,” she said.
The First Lady also said no one should be discriminated against or blamed for circumstances beyond their control.
Dr Mnangagwa emphasised that people with disabilities deserved the same love, protection and opportunities as everyone else, regardless of their physical attributes or circumstances of birth.
“I firmly reject these harmful beliefs and practices. I urge everyone to embrace the principle of living in harmony and unity with individuals with disabilities, and to always be eager to love, protect and support them, including our children and their caregivers,” she said.
The First Lady said Zimbabwe had made progress in confronting harmful traditional beliefs surrounding albinism, particularly the misconception that wealth could be acquired through mystical practices involving people with albinism.
She expressed hope that such myths would be completely eradicated.
“In contemplating the myths that surround albinism, I am glad to note that people now have greater awareness of the subject and that the troubling belief once prevalent in certain communities, that wealth can be attained through mystical means, often involving individuals with albinism, is dying down,” she said.
“It is my hope that such myths shall be completely disbanded and that people will realise that all human beings deserve to live.”
Dr Mnangagwa also condemned the abandonment of women by their husbands following the birth of children with disabilities, saying mothers should never be blamed for their children’s conditions.
The First Lady said while Zimbabwe had moved away from the abhorrent practice of infanticide against children with disabilities, some families continued to face discrimination driven by superstition.
“I take pride in the fact that the abhorrent tradition of infanticide against children with disabilities has been eradicated in Zimbabwe. However, it is disheartening to witness some husbands still choosing to abandon their wives for bearing children with disabilities, driven by superstitious beliefs,” she said.
“It is crucial to recognise that a mother is not to blame for the circumstances of her child’s birth.”
The First Lady reminded communities that disability did not diminish anyone’s humanity, noting that people were united by their shared humanity despite differences in physical appearance and abilities.
“Ultimately, having a disability does not diminish one’s humanity. Regardless of disability, we are all human beings. Our differences lie merely in skin tone, hair colour, eye colour and other physical attributes. Some individuals are born with disabilities, while others may acquire them throughout their lives. In either case, we are united in our shared humanity,” she said.
Dr Mnangagwa said her work through the Angel of Hope Foundation was guided by its mission to support vulnerable members of society through access to healthcare, social services, education and economic empowerment.
The Foundation’s focus includes older persons, women, youths and children, including children with disabilities and their parents.
She said the engagement at Prince Edward School provided an opportunity for direct interaction with beneficiaries, allowing them to discuss challenges affecting their lives and collectively find solutions.
“Nhasi ndauya kuti tigotatandara nekurukurukura pamusoro penyaya dzinotibata tose uye kuti tiwane nzira yokubuda nayo munyaya idzi. (Today, I have come so that we can interact and discuss issues affecting us all and find ways of addressing these challenges),” she said.
The First Lady encouraged communities to cultivate tolerance, love, unity and acceptance, ensuring that people living with disabilities were valued and supported.
Beneficiaries expressed heartfelt gratitude to the First Lady for consistently remembering them, describing her as a mother whose love embraces every member of society, particularly people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
They said the First Lady’s continued interventions had made them feel valued, remembered and included, with no one being left behind.
One of the beneficiaries, Moses Gwanzura, thanked the First Lady for her motherly love and for recognising that some families, particularly those with members with disabilities, faced challenges meeting their daily needs.
“First and foremost, I want to thank the First Lady for being a loving mother who remembers families across Zimbabwe, particularly those with disabilities. She understands that there are people who cannot do certain things for themselves and need assistance. She recognises their needs and makes sure they are not forgotten,” he said.
Tatenda Hururu said the First Lady’s outreach programmes were touching every sector of society, including people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
“She is reaching out to every sector of society, including people with disabilities and the elderly. What she is doing is remarkable. No one is being left behind.
“Every category of disability is being considered. The First Lady understands the needs of her children, and we are grateful that everyone is being remembered,” she said.
Tawananyasha Chizora said the support they received was given freely, with beneficiaries receiving brand-new items, including clothes and other provisions.
“I just want to thank our First Lady. We have received so much, and everything was given to us freely. Even the shirts we received are brand new. Everything is new. Thank you, our First Lady, for your love,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Blessing Chikuwa, said the First Lady’s continued support made them feel cherished and remembered.
“We are very happy to be remembered by the First Lady. She does this regularly, and whenever we see her, that is where we receive our support. When you see these things happening, you know Baba, the President, is also supporting her work. We have received early Christmas hampers and lotions. We are truly grateful,” she said.
Chipo Zonde also thanked the First Lady for her continued surprises and thoughtful gestures.
“You are always full of surprises. Thank you for remembering us and showing us so much love,” she said.
Their testimonies reflected beneficiaries’ appreciation for the First Lady’s sustained engagement with vulnerable communities through the Angel of Hope Foundation.
Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan Province Charles Tawengwa commended the First Lady for her continued engagement with vulnerable communities, saying her work advances the principle of leaving no one and no place behind.
Minister Tawengwa said the First Lady’s decision to meet the group for a second time demonstrated her commitment to listening to people and addressing their needs.
“Our First Lady, you are a hardworking Mother of the Nation whose compassion and dedication are helping to build our country,” he said.
“By making time to be among the people, listen to them and respond to their needs, you have demonstrated what it means to be a humble and loving mother to the nation.”
He said the engagement reinforced the importance of upholding the dignity, rights and protection of every Zimbabwean.
Minister Tawengwa added that the First Lady’s humanitarian work through the Angel of Hope Foundation had benefited vulnerable communities across the country.
He said her efforts complemented President Mnangagwa’s vision of building an inclusive and prosperous upper-middle-income society by 2030.
