Masuku commends First Lady

Auxilia Katongomara, Chronicle Reporter
FIRST Lady Cde Auxillia Mnangagwa has been hailed for restoring the dignity of Zimbabwean women through her humility and respect for other people.

Cde Mnangagwa was also commended for her calmness and resilience in the face of attacks on her husband, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, by former First Lady Mrs Grace Mugabe.

In her remarks at the Thanksgiving and Dedication Service held on Sunday at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, the Minister of State for Bulawayo Province, Cde Angeline Masuku, encouraged Cde Mnangagwa to keep up the good work.

“I want to thank umama uMnangagwa who has brought back the dignity of Zimbabwean women. Zimbabwean women were just like, I don’t know whether a butterfly but she has brought back the dignity of Zimbabwean women.

When she came to Bulawayo, the women of Bulawayo did not tire to say ye kulomama laphana. Mama mantain your dignity as a Zimbabwean woman to assist our President, siyabonga mama,” said Cde Masuku to a thunderous applause from the audience.

Cde Masuku was one of the first Politburo members to warn former President Robert Mugabe that his wife’s utterances during the Meet the People rallies were likely to divide party members.

The First Lady has had a hectic festive season as she spent her time visiting children’s homes, old people’s homes and hospitals.

She has not only donated goods but spent time playing with children and even serving them lunch.

Her predecessor has been heavily criticised for using public platforms to attack her perceived enemies.

During her last public appearance, Mrs Mugabe attacked President Mnangagwa at a church rally while putting on apostolic church regalia.

Despite being a church event, Mrs Mugabe used the platform to gloat about her lifestyle and continued with her acerbic attacks on President Mnangagwa leaving Zimbabweans at large questioning the motive for bringing churches together.

Cde Masuku also took time to remind President Mnangagwa of the 9th Interface rally where he was also attacked and threatened with dismissal from Government.

“It is happening in the City of Kings where your Excellency, you demonstrated and I want to say you demonstrated . . . when you were pointed at by umunwe (finger) in this city and the people of Zimbabwe led by the people of Bulawayo spoke.

“They said ‘. . .into oyenzayo siyayizonda . . . ‘ Your Excellency I want to say the people of Bulawayo have changed that song now, they are saying ‘Into oyenzayo siyayithanda.’ That’s what they are saying now, that is the message they said I should pass on to you, your Excellency,” she said.

Cde Masuku commended President Mnangagwa for his punctuality and commitment to work in his efforts to turn around the fortunes of the country.

“Sonke silomsebenzi, tese tine basa to make the dream of our President come true. Your Excellency people now know what time to get into the office and what time to knock off and thank you for that. We appreciate that,” she said.

“People have been feeling at home, like we always say feel at home but your coming in made people feel at work and not at home. Thank you your Excellency”.