Online Reporter
Blessings Chidakwa
Senior Reporter
THE World Food Programme has expressed keen interest in having First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa take a leading role in combating stunting and malnutrition across the Sadc region and the African continent.
WFP officials highlighted that Dr Mnangagwa’s high-profile visibility, both nationally and internationally, positions her uniquely to inspire and mobilise fellow First Ladies to champion similar advocacy initiatives.
This was said during a meeting in which the Food for Africa Organisation expressed its interest in partnering with the Angel of Hope Foundation to advance programmes targeting stunting and malnutrition.
WFP Zimbabwe Country Director, Ms Barbara Clemens, who met with the First Lady alongside Food for Africa executives last Tuesday, said Dr Mnangagwa’s platform through the Angel of Hope Foundation is ideally placed to elevate ongoing child nutrition campaigns.
First Lady Dr Mnangagwa welcomed the initiative, describing school feeding programmes as among the most effective measures for reducing stunting and malnutrition. She also highlighted several related initiatives she is implementing nationwide.
“I am deeply grateful for this programme.
“As First Ladies, we must lead by example in promoting nutritious foods; if we fail to do so, we risk contributing to stunted growth among children in our nations.
“I will make full use of the platforms available to us, where we regularly meet and exchange ideas.
“I will begin with the SADC region and then extend the engagement to the rest of Africa. It is essential that we start with the school feeding initiative,” she said.
Dr Mnangagwa emphasised the need for a swift rollout of the partnership with Food for Africa. “We want this to be implemented promptly. Once introduced at the community level, it will positively impact many people,” she said.
The First Lady also highlighted her efforts to promote local nutritious foods through gastronomy and her recently launched book, which features menus showcasing indigenous foods from Zimbabwe’s ten provinces.
“I introduced gastronomy as a way of promoting and preserving our local nutritious foods,” she added.
Ms Clemens said WFP envisages Dr Mnangagwa taking a leading role in coordinating with fellow African First Ladies to champion the school feeding programme as a tool to combat stunting and malnutrition.
“We met the First Lady to discuss her work and explore opportunities to collaborate in promoting the end of stunting in Zimbabwe.
“We see great potential in this partnership. WFP can support the First Lady and the private sector in elevating her platform, not just in Zimbabwe, but across Sadc and the continent,” she said.
Ms Clemens added: “We are here to support her as a spokesperson for eliminating stunting and malnutrition.
“Her platform is ideal for advancing this effort. WFP strongly believes in local solutions and is expanding their use; while exploring platforms the First Lady may have across Zimbabwe, Sadc, and other African countries.”
Food for Africa Director, Mr Allan Oberholzer, said his organisation intends to expand its nutritional products into Zimbabwe in collaboration with the WFP and the First Lady to reach children and the elderly.
“The purpose of our meeting today with the First Lady and Ms Barbara Clemens was to expand our nutritional product into Zimbabwe.
“We aim to assist the WFP and the First Lady in delivering this product to thousands of children and elderly people, including through hospitals and Government facilities,” he said.
Stunting and malnutrition continue to undermine children’s growth and learning capacity, prompting calls for stronger collaboration among government ministries, development partners, and health experts.
