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Amai Grace Mugabe witnessed their daughter Miss Bona Mugabe graduate at City University here.
The proud First Family joined hundreds of other parents who came to celebrate their children’s achievements in the university’s Chan Tai Ho Hall. Miss Mugabe graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours) in Accountancy.
The Zimbabwean delegation accompanying the First Family erupted into a round of applause and ululation when Miss Mugabe’s name was called out and she walked to the stage to be capped. There was more jubilation after the ceremony when Miss Mugabe shook hands and hugged with the President and First Lady in a room the university authorities had reserved for the First Family.
President Mugabe’s sister Dr Regina Gata led in singing the song “Makorokoto” to cap a joyous day for her niece. It was indeed a moment to savour for Miss Mugabe and her long time friend from primary school Miss Nyaradzo Khimbini who also graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours) in Human Resources Management.
The President said he and the First Lady were the happiest of people yesterday as their daughter had made them proud. He added that the Khimbini family was also celebrating their daughter’s success. Miss Khimbini’s parents attended the graduation as well.
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“We are celebrating their determination to succeed. The two have been friends from long back, from primary to secondary school. We wish them well. The future is in their hands, they are well equipped to find their way into the world. To us these are Siamese twins, they are inseparable. That means the Khimbini family and our family are together,” said President Mugabe.
Amai Mugabe said she was proud that her daughter had been obedient and succeeded in her studies. “Ndanzwa kufara zvakanyanyisa. Zvinhu zvinofadza kukudza mwanasikana zvakanaka. (I am very happy for our daughter. It is important that a girl child is groomed in an exemplary way and I am glad I played my role as a mother in that regard). I am happy girls ‘you did not disgrace us’,” said the First Lady.
She urged Bona and Nyaradzo to further their studies and aim for the top. The two friends said the foundation for success was believing in one’s abilities and perseverance.
“I think you should follow your dreams. Don’t let anyone pull you down, always know what you want to achieve,” said Miss Mugabe.
Miss Khimbini added: “Perseverance is key and always listen to and obey your parents.”
The First Family also met the university authorities and thanked them for affording their daughter and her friend an opportunity to learn at an institution of their choice.
President Mugabe said in the formative days of their studies the two were haunted and harassed by British journalists but the university authorities acted to ensure the harassment was stopped to allow the two to pursue their studies in a conducive environment. The President suggested that since Bona and Nyaradzo were pioneer students from Zimbabwe and Africa at City University, the
Zimbabwean Government and the institution should explore the possibility of a twining arrangement with one of the universities in Zimbabwe.
Following the graduation of the two, President Mugabe said, City University should expect to receive applications from more Zimbabwean students wishing to study there.
President Mugabe invited the university authorities to Zimbabwe and they accepted the invitation. The President and his delegation were expected to leave for Beijing late yesterday.
Online Reporter