Online Reporter
Victor Maphosa
Mashonaland East Bureau
MASHONALAND East Province has commended First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa for her sustained and impactful efforts in combating drug and substance abuse, describing her intervention as a lifeline for many families affected by the scourge.
Through her Angel of Hope Foundation, Dr Mnangagwa has taken a leading role in national rehabilitation and awareness programmes aimed at addressing the growing challenge of substance abuse, particularly among youths.
Her initiatives have contributed to the rehabilitation and reintegration of many youths who had been trapped in addiction, enabling them to rebuild their lives and rejoin society as responsible citizens.
Many of them have also benefited from skills training programmes designed to promote self-reliance and economic empowerment.
A key pillar of these interventions is the Angel of Hope Drug Rehabilitation Centre in Mbare, Harare, which continues to receive clients from across the country, including Mashonaland East Province, where several beneficiaries have already undergone treatment.
In Marondera yesterday, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland East, Advocate Itayi Ndudzo, met three young people who recently completed rehabilitation at the centre and are now engaging Government for empowerment opportunities.
The trio — Ms Fransisca Mamvura, Mr Blessing Muza and Mr Kudakwashe Musodza — had been referred for rehabilitation after their lives were severely affected by drug and substance abuse, but have since made notable progress through recovery programmes and vocational training.
Adv Ndudzo praised the First Lady’s intervention, saying it had restored dignity and hope to affected families.
“On behalf of Mashonaland East, I want to thank President Mnangagwa for his stance in the fight against drug and substance abuse,” said Adv Ndudzo.
“Also, to the First Lady, I want to thank her for the great works she is doing across Zimbabwe.
“Her commitment to ending drug and substance abuse, and assisting those that are victims of the scourge, particularly the youth, should be applauded.
“I am happy today, after listening to testimonies from Fransisca’s mother, from Fransisca herself, as well testimonies from Blessing Muza and Kudakwashe Musodza. These are our children from Marondera.”
Adv Ndudzo said drug and substance abuse can affect anyone and appealed to Mashonaland East to unite and work closely with each other in this fight.
“We must first identify those who deal in drugs and substances. These people should be arrested. Bring their names to my officers so that we assist each other in bringing those people to book because what they are doing is affecting all of us.
“Also, when our children are involved in drug and substance abuse, let us assist each other. Let it be everyone’s duty to fight this war.”
Adv Ndudzo further assured the rehabilitated youths of Government support through empowerment initiatives aimed at helping them rebuild their livelihoods.
For Ms Fransisca Mamvura’s mother, Mrs Farisai Shereni, the journey to recovery was painful but ultimately rewarding, as she watched her daughter transform after rehabilitation.
She recounted how her daughter’s behaviour changed drastically before she sought help.
“When she started taking drugs, we did not suspect anything. But later, she started behaving and acting strangely, saying mysterious things.
“I became suspicious at that stage. My suspicions were confirmed one day when she came home and became violent. She broke doors.
“At that point I realised that she was no longer the same. Everything was wrong. I started noticing that her health was deteriorating. One could tell that her mental state was no longer the same.
“At that time, I thought of sending her to a rehabilitation centre, but I had no money. I almost gave up on her because I had no money. That is when I was told about Angel of Hope Drug Rehabilitation Centre,” she said.
Mrs Shereni said she initially doubted but after realising that it was championed by the First Lady, “I did not think twice”.
“I was assisted until my daughter was admitted there where she was helped,” she said.
She added that witnessing her daughter’s recovery was an emotional turning point.
“At first, I did not believe that she would change. After a long time, when we were invited to the rehabilitation centre, she ran to me and hugged me. I was shocked,” she said.
“I want to thank Dr Mnangagwa for assisting my child. When we talk of mothers, we would be talking about her without hesitation.
“My daughter is a changed person and I am thankful to Amai Mnangagwa for her motherly love. My daughter is now doing everything for herself. There is positive change and I am so delighted. Angel of Hope are real angels of hope.”
Mr Muza also shared his recovery journey, attributing his past struggles to peer pressure and bad company.
“I am one of those people who was abusing drugs due to peer pressure as well as the kind of friends I used to play with. During that time, I could not bath or eat such that people started talking behind my back, some saying I was now a mental patient,” he said.
“I do not know what happened but one day I just saw the police coming to my place and they took me and sent me to Angel of Hope Drug Rehabilitation Centre.
“At first, I thought these people were doing injustice to me, not knowing that they were giving me help. The process at the Centre was hard and painful, but at last I benefited. I am back to my normal being and I am grateful.
“I want to thank Dr Mnangagwa for the timely assistance. I want to thank her from the bottom of my heart. Had it not been for her help, maybe I would have died.
“Now I am a changed person. I was helped. Thank you so much Mashonaland East for assisting me by sending me to the rehabilitation centre where my dignity was restored.”
Mr Musodza said his recovery journey was emotional, noting the loss of friends to drug abuse as a wake-up call.
“I do not even know where I would be had it not been for Dr Mnangagwa who established the rehabilitation centre where I was admitted,” he said.
“I want to thank her and promise her that I will never abuse drugs again. I started abusing mbanje at the age of 18. I smoked for a long time. My health deteriorated. But the most painful part is that my best friend died as a result of drug abuse.
“So, I have every reason to thank Dr Mnangagwa for this help. I am now back in the community and I will be a responsible man.”
After completing rehabilitation, Messrs Mamvura and Musodza have since enrolled at Dadaya Vocational Training Centre, where they are acquiring skills aimed at supporting their reintegration into society and improving their livelihoods.
The Angel of Hope Foundation continues to expand its programmes focused on healthcare, education, social protection and empowerment, with special attention to vulnerable groups such as women, youths and children.
