admin
Blessings Chidakwa
Herald Reporter
The unwavering quest to see a better society with well mannered people saw the First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa interacting with Masvingo Province primary school learners who candidly shared their personal experiences at home and at school.
The learners were drawn mostly from Grade Two to Six classes.
Among issues tackled were the children’s roles at home, respect, the scourge of drug abuse, premature love relationships with some learners admitting involvement in such activities at tender ages.
Other issues discussed were bullying in schools and ill-treatment being endured by children at home sometimes due to disputes between their parents.
As the First Lady arrived at Nhanga Primary School in Masvingo district last Saturday, there was a jovial environment as learners danced while chanting “Mbuya! mbuya!”
The First Lady also had lighter moments with the learners some of whom she hugged and danced with before personally serving them lunch.
Each learner, teacher and parent also went back home all smiles after receiving food hampers courtesy of the First Lady’s Angel of Hope Foundation.
All the seven districts of Bikika, Chiredzi, Chivi, Zaka, Masvingo, Gutu and Mwenezi were equally represented with the event kicking off with a role play of two learners denouncing drug and substance abuse.
The duo left the crowd in stitches with one learner posing as a foreigner speaking while the other one interpreted .
When the First Lady took to the podium she said the programme was meant to afford learners a chance to freely express with her what they enjoy the most and their concerns.
“I am aware that a lot of you children are facing various challenges with less attention being put to trace the root causes and how to address them.
“So today, I want you to share with me those challenges without any fear. I also want you to share your future plans and what you aspire to be,” she said.
Dr Mnangagwa said some children were exposed to and sharing unsafe materials through electronic gadgets predominantly cellphones, which was affecting them both directly and indirectly.
To break the ice with learners, the First Lady started asking them about their names, friends, family backgrounds, where and how they interact.
So candid were the learners that among them Gift Mudavanhu said: “I chose my girl because she has a good heart. When l grow up l want to marry her.”
Another learner only identified as Farai said: “I meet my girl at our home when my parents are at work. We just discuss school stuff.”
Webster Mboke, a Grade Six learner also admitted to be in a relationship saying his girl had a beautiful face and “structure”.
Asked by the First Lady what “structure” meant, Webster replied: “A good body.”
Other learners also claimed to be in relationships although it was mainly to assist each other in studying. The First Lady as their grandmother warned them to desist from such and solely focus on education which she emphasised as the key to a bright future.
“Leave your girlfriends and concentrate on finishing your studies first. It is devastating that our children are indulging in these acts.”
“You have truthfully shared your experiences, but we do not condone such behaviour. Always be faithful and be good people,” she said.
A learner whose name is withheld for fear of victimisation said his abusive father was giving the family a torrid time.
“My parents always fight during pay days as my father usually vanishes only to return when he finishes his salary drinking beer. That is when you hear him speaking nicely to mum.
“If my mum buys her personal clothes or property my father starts accusing her of being wasteful. Mum ends up taking her property to her parents home,” said the learner.
The learner added that: “Sometimes they indulge in fist fights resulting in hospitalisation. This is affecting me a lot.”
The First Lady then intervened warning parents to desist from engaging in domestic violence as that was negatively impacting children.
Amai Mnangagwa also urged couples to be faithful.
“Infidelity is often leading to domestic violence some men actually end up killing their wives in the process but the end result is always jail. Children usually suffer the most as they will no longer have anyone to take care of their upbringing.
“Once there is domestic violence a lot of other issues emanate as mental health challenges and family disintegration,” she said.
The primary learners admitted to be taking drugs mentioning names of those indulging in such illicit activities.
“Grade Sevens are the ones taking drugs. Some move around picking up cigarette stubs on the streets which they smoke,” said Tinashe Makanda.
Amai Mnangagwa also castigated drug and substance abuse, urging learners to report such issues to school authorities.
“There has been a spike in drug abuse which has resulted in the country losing a generation of young people. Teachers also search for drugs. You may even dedicate an hour to search those with drugs and report cases to the police.
“They affect various body parts including brain, liver, lungs among others. No to drugs. Even if fathers consume drugs they end up assaulting their wives,” she said.
Speaking of household chores, Hillary Musekiwa said he assists his father to do gardening.
“We planted tomatoes, carrots and vegetables together with my father. So l help watering the garden almost on a daily basis,” he said.
Ruth Saunyama claimed to be a well-mannered child who interacts well with friends and family.
“I respect my elders and do my household chores daily. I clean my bedroom and wash plates,” she said.
Majority of both male and female learners said they assist in washing of plates at home with the First Lady emphasising that there was nothing wrong if a boy child does so.
“Always make sure you wash plates after eating to avoid cockroaches and rats. For those with poultry projects at home you can also assist with feeding chickens,” she said.
Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira thanked the First Lady for continuing to support the province’s education system.
“As a province, we feel humbled by your presence here. We are proud beneficiaries of your programmes.
“In this province you built a school for orphans and former street kids. Children from this province are also benefiting from your scholarships locally and abroad,” he said.
Masvingo Provincial Education Director Shylatte Mhike said it was a great honour that Dr Mnangagwa was interacting with learners face to face.
“The learners are more than glad to meet you. I feel humbled by the gesture to interface with them as your teachings will assist a lot in curbing some of the challenges we are facing in the province such as bullying, drug and substance abuse,” she said.
Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Deputy Minister Barbara Rwodzi thanked Dr Mnangagwa for her programme of interfacing with learners.
“Thank you for this wonderful programme which has afforded the children the opportunity to speak freely about their issues. As parents, we always try to silence them covering up for our deeds, but these learners have laid it bare.
“We applaud this initiative which is making sure that all social ills are curbed at a tender age,” she said.
Online Reporter