Online Reporter
Blessings Chidakwa and Thupeyo Muleya
FOR many Zimbabweans returning home through the Beitbridge Border Post, the journey ended not with uncertainty, but with a warm embrace of compassion, dignity, love and hope as First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa on Tuesday warmly welcomed them at the Beitbridge Reception and Support Centre.
The crossing was more than just the end of a journey for the scores of Zimbabweans returning home; it was an emotional homecoming marked by fatigue, anxiety and hope for a fresh beginning.
The returnees were visibly delighted at seeing the First Lady visit them in a motherly manner and with comfort, saying her presence at the reception centre made them feel welcomed and valued after an uncertain journey home.
Some arrived carrying babies wrapped against the winter chill, while others clutched small bags containing the few possessions they had managed to bring home.
For them, the First Lady was not a distant dignitary, but a loving mother welcoming her children home.
First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa holds a baby while chatting with the child’s mother at the Beitbridge Reception and Support Centre.
In a moving demonstration of her motherly love to vulnerable citizens, the First Lady shared words of comfort, encouragement and hope with families, children and the elderly as they prepared to begin a new chapter in their lives.
But beyond her reassuring words, she arrived bearing tangible gifts of love and care, ensuring that the returning families did not begin their journey home empty-handed.
Dr Mnangagwa personally handed over an assortment of essential items, including warm clothing and blankets to shield families from the winter cold, food hampers, toiletries, sanitary wear for women and girls, diapers for babies, among several other basic necessities.
The First Lady, who first toured the facility, also took time to interact with the returnees, including mothers travelling with infants, offering guidance on child health, nutrition and proper childcare while encouraging families to embrace healthy lifestyles.
Dr Mnangagwa assured them that the Reception and Support Centre continued to receive food supplies to support those passing through the facility.
The First Lady also said the Government had put in place the necessary measures and activated relevant systems to facilitate their smooth reintegration into society, particularly for those who had spent many years outside the country.
The Mother of the Nation said President Mnangagwa had assured the returnees that they were warmly welcomed back home, acknowledging the hardships they had endured and thanking God that they had returned safely.
“As a mother, I have been deeply concerned. My heart has been touched by your situation, and I know that the Government is equally concerned, just as every family facing these challenges is concerned.
“I have come to welcome you home. I say to you: let us put past experiences like the one we are going through behind us and move forward. What is done is done. Do not be afraid. Do not lose hope. The challenges you faced there do not define you. You are sons and daughters of this soil, and we will walk beside you as you begin anew.”
Dr Mnangagwa added: “You are home now, and together we must build our nation. Let your name be counted among those who contribute to the development and prosperity of our beloved Zimbabwe.”
The First Lady said that while some may have acquired valuable skills, they should embrace and use them for the benefit of their families, personally, and the country so that, together, Zimbabweans can continue building and developing their nation for the benefit of all.
“Let us turn this moment into an opportunity. Let us embrace and harness the talent that is coming back.
First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa hands over diapers to a mother and her child returning from South Africa at the Beitbridge Reception and Support Centre.
“You are not forgotten. I want you to know that we are welcoming you with open arms. Zimbabwe is rising, and I encourage you to be part of that rise. Return to your communities with your heads held high,” she said.
Dr Mnangagwa also urged the returnees to embrace peace, saying Zimbabwe is a peace-loving nation.
She said the Government has created numerous opportunities and empowerment programmes for all, including youths and women, to help them rebuild their lives. Culture and Heritage Ambassador Dr Mnangagwa also implored the returnees to uphold the values of Ubuntu.
“Our values and our humanity go wherever we are. They do not change simply because we have lived in another country,” she said.
The First Lady also warned against drug and substance abuse, saying it is destroying lives and families, urging young people to choose the right path, noting with concern that even some women had fallen victim to substance abuse.
As for returnees from neighbouring countries, the First Lady also welcomed nationals from other nations passing through the country’s border posts with motherly care, wishing them safe journeys as they proceeded to their respective destinations with dignity and hope.
She urged Zimbabweans to show compassion to those facing hardship, saying everyone deserves support during difficult times and that such solidarity is the foundation of strong families and a united nation. Dr Mnangagwa encouraged them to remain in touch after settling in their respective communities so that together they could initiate sustainable income-generating projects to restore livelihoods and promote self-reliance.
For many, the visit by the First Lady was the first time in days they felt safe.
Zimbabwean returnees disembark from a bus at the Beitbridge Reception and Support Centre.
Ms Paidamoyo Kajanga, a mother of three from Gokwe who worked as a domestic worker in Cape Town, clutched a blanket and a hygiene pack.
“We left in a hurry. We were scared. We thought when we came back no one would care,” she said, wiping tears.
“But our mother, the First Lady, came, she hugged us, she gave us food and told us our children will go to school. That gives me strength. I used to do catering. I will try to start a small business here.”
Mrs Tsitsi Manunure, who was travelling from Polokwane to Masvingo, was also a vendor.
“It was tough at the border. But here they gave us water, food and medical check-ups. The First Lady’s message was clear: use what you learnt. I hope Government can help me with tools,” she said.
Mrs Sharon Chigwangwani, a mother of two travelling from Port Elizabeth to Masvingo, held her children close.
Returning Zimbabweans await clearance at the Beitbridge Reception and Support Centre on Tuesday before proceeding to their respective destinations.
“It was cold at night. We thought we would suffer. But to our surprise, when we arrived, everything was in place as the Government had remembered us. Thank you, our First Lady,” she said.
The gratitude was unanimous. Name after name, they thanked Dr Mnangagwa for her compassion and for the assurance on schooling and documentation.
Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe stood up and gave concrete guarantees.
“The President has directed that no one should suffer because they came home. We will track school enrolment, food security and livelihood projects. This is not a one-day event.”
“On behalf of Government, I want to assure our brothers and sisters that their children will be enrolled in schools immediately. Starting from here, we have engaged headmasters in Beitbridge, Gwanda and across the province,” he said.
“Feeding programmes will continue at the centre and in transit. We are also working with the Registrar General’s Office to ensure those without IDs or birth certificates are assisted. You left as Zimbabweans, you are returning as Zimbabweans, and you will be treated as such.” Minister Nguluvhe also said help desks had been set up to link returnees to Government support.
Chief Tshitaudze, speaking for traditional leaders, summed up the mood.
Returnees are being assisted at the Beitbridge Reception and Support Centre Clinic as they receive essential health services and support upon arrival.
“We have seen many visitors come here, but today we saw a mother. Our First Lady has shown us Ubuntu. She did not send people. She came herself. She carried blankets with her own hands. That is leadership.
“These are our people. The land is big enough. Let us share and rebuild together. Let this be remembered not as a day of return in sorrow, but as a day Zimbabwe showed its heart.”
The Beitbridge Reception and Support Centre has received multitudes of returnees daily over the past weeks. Traffic surged after the June 30 deadline set by anti-migrant groups in South Africa.
By late afternoon, the mood had shifted. Children played with donated toys. Women queued for sanitary pads. Men sat in groups discussing how to settle and integrate.
For the multitudes who crossed back, the message was clear. They left the neighbouring country under pressure. But they returned to a country that, through its First Lady, chose compassion over condemnation and hope over despair.
