Online Reporter
Blessings Chidakwa
Senior Reporter
AS the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, continues to roll out flagship life-changing programmes across the country, Manicaland Province has risen with one powerful message: It is ready to partner and help carry the vision forward.
The province, led by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, has set the pace, not with noise, but through action, unity and a clear declaration that it is ready to move from admiration to implementation.
It expressed its desire to support all life-changing, inclusive, practical, and timely programmes brought by the First Lady to Manicaland Province.
Manicaland pledged full support for several programmes being implemented under the First Lady’s Angel of Hope Foundation, with business leaders from the province committing resources towards the rollout of the initiatives.
Among the programmes in the province are particularly in social welfare, tourism, tree planting, health, women’s empowerment, and youth development, early child marriages, among others.
What has made the province’s stance even more significant is its bold commitment to see some of the First Lady’s transformative programmes replicated in Manicaland, beginning with the drug rehabilitation initiative.
The programme is inspired by the Angel of Hope Drug Rehabilitation Centre in Mbare, which has become a national symbol of restoration and second chances.
With its neatly kept surroundings, comfortable bedrooms, modern ablution facilities and spacious training grounds, the Angel of Hope Drug Rehabilitation Centre has become a model of how to tackle the drug menace with dignity and compassion.
The Manicaland business community, which held an engagement with Dr Mnangagwa at her Zimbabwe House offices, expressed deep appreciation for her interventions, describing them as timely, transformative and urgently needed in communities that have been crying out for hope.
During the visit, the delegation, comprising bus operators, miners, farmers, among other business personnel, was also afforded an opportunity to tour the Angel of Hope Drug Rehabilitation Centre in Mbare.
Led by the First Lady, the visitors witnessed first-hand the institution’s facilities, operations and rehabilitation processes, before interacting with and motivating the newly recruited seventh intake, who were undergoing a counselling session.
After their counselling session, and despite having been enrolled only last Saturday, visitors witnessed not only the infrastructure but also the lived experiences of the recovering youths who managed to perform drills, songs and poems, much to the applause of the guests.
Impressed by the centre’s impact, the business community, led by renowned bus operators Dr Leornard Mukumba and Dr Esau Mupfumi, pledged an ambulance for use at the rehabilitation centre, while the delegation also committed additional resources to support operations at the institution.
Moved by the pledge, Dr Mnangagwa applauded the province for the gesture, saying she was humbled by the support, which will go a long way in assisting vulnerable members of society.
As for replicating the Angel of Hope Drug Rehabilitation centre in Manicaland province, Mother Zimbabwe said it was a good initiative in strengthening national efforts to combat drug and substance abuse.
The First Lady, whose work continues to thrive through the support of local and international partners, expressed gratitude for the donation of the ambulance and other resources, saying such contributions strengthen efforts to restore lives.
Adv Mugadza said they are proud of the work being done by the First Lady across the country.
“As Manicaland, we would like to work together with her to strengthen these projects. We have businesspeople in Manicaland who have agreed that we should support the Angel of Hope Foundation projects,” he said.
Adv Mugadza said they also appealed to the First Lady to come and set up a prototype of her model rehabilitation centre in Mbare in Manicaland Province.
“One major challenge we are facing is drug abuse. The need for rehabilitation centres in Manicaland is very high. We want to thank you for such a good programme.
“We had reached a point where we were trying to figure out how we could respond to the challenges, especially as young people were being affected by drug abuse. We have come as Manicaland because we want this programme to be implemented in our province.”
Businessman Dr Mukumba said that as the business community from the province, they are ready to join hands with the First Lady.
“She is doing wonderful work across the whole country. We want to partner with her on her several initiatives.
“We want to start by replicating the Mbare rehabilitation centre in Manicaland. The First Lady is leaving no one behind.”
Dr Mupfumi also expressed appreciation for the First Lady’s compassion, saying her intervention reflected genuine care.
He said drug abuse has become a growing challenge affecting young people, who are the future leaders.
“Thank you, First Lady, for your kind heart. Others might have chosen to ignore the situation, but you stepped in. Drugs are another challenge being introduced into our communities,” he said.
A youthful miner, Bryn Madya, said that, as youths, they also want to contribute to nation-building through supporting the First Lady.
“As young businesspeople from Manicaland, we are here to support the mother of the nation. She is doing this for us.
“We want to support the good work she is doing. We are eager to learn and to show that we fully support our mother. A country is built by its own people,” he said.
At Mbare Rehab, a counselling session was also conducted by Mrs Benedicta Mutamba Ndudzo, where the youths were encouraged and reminded that there are people who never gave up on them and actively supported their journey to rehabilitation.
The patients who were gradually regaining their smiles, showing attentiveness during counselling sessions, and actively participating, reflected on their decision to turn away from their past lives.
The session emphasised that good choices lead to positive results, and that embracing change requires commitment, as life is made up of gradual steps of transformation.
“There are some who never gave up on you. They pushed you to come here. Being enrolled here, you are making a U-turn from your old lives. Good choices produce results. Life is full of steps, but always choose the right path,” she said.
Mr Tendai Mandonga from Manicaland also took some time to offer words of encouragement to the patients, urging them to recognise their self-worth, make positive life choices, and avoid harmful habits.
“Have you ever taken time to realise how much you are worth? If you give yourself value, you become valuable. Choose the right path to follow in life. You are very important, which is why the First Lady visits you every day. You can do it.
“Learn to value yourself. Anything good is bought through the proper channel, not through the back door like you were doing with drugs,” he said.
Manicaland’s proactive approach stands as a strong signal of unity and responsibility, positioning the province as a leading example in complementing efforts to build healthier and more resilient communities.
