Mother Zimbabwe reignites Kanyemba with latest visit

Blessings Chidakwa in KANYEMBA

THE usually quiet northern tip of Zimbabwe roared to life as First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa once again descended on the border town with a message of love, empowerment, cultural renaissance, and unity, once again proving that the welfare of the people of Kanyemba is close to her heart.

Kanyemba, a remote border town in Mbire District on the Zambezi River, where Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mozambique meet, is in Natural Region 5, which is characterised by extremely hot weather and low rainfall.

Her latest visit, spending some days, which locals described as a blessing beyond words, was filled with activity from Nhanga/Gota/Ixhiba sessions to human-wildlife management, gastronomy showcases, and sports events each encounter reinforcing her enduring commitment to the once-isolated community.

Sporting activities included tug of war, soccer, and volleyball, among several others.

Dr Mnangagwa, the first spouse of a sitting Head of State to visit Kanyemba since Independence in 1980, continues to bridge distances that once separated citizens from national development.

Her presence in Kanyemba rekindled hope, ignited pride, and strengthened the community’s belief that their story matters.

The energetic interactions began with a colourful Nhanga/Gota session, a traditional platform for moral and cultural dialogue, which brought together local leaders, women, and youths.

The fully packed event, which saw multitudes of people attending, was also graced by neighbouring chiefs and their spouses from Zambia and Mozambique, among them Chiefs Mphuka and Mburuma, in a powerful display of regional unity and shared heritage.

Mother Zimbabwe met with girls in a closed-door Nhanga session, accompanied by elderly women, including Chiefs Mphuka and Mburuma’s spouses, while boys gathered in the Gota under the guidance of the chiefs and community elders.

The sessions were punctuated with candid discussions on menstrual hygiene, virginity, the importance of education, dressing properly, avoiding relationships while at school, and pursuing careers before rushing into marriage.

Dr Mnangagwa said she came as a mother, grandmother, and aunt to have an honest conversation with the girls.

“We are all mothers. I’m deeply grateful; I have never seen such unity, with our mothers from Zambia and Mozambique coming to support you. They came with love, to help you become well-grounded young women,” she said.

“These teachings are meant to remind you who you are, what defines a girl, and to make you think about those proposing love what do they really want? You must remember that you have a future ahead of you. You cannot chase two things relationships and school at the same time,” she said.

The First Lady said her heart was heavy as she appealed for compassion and guidance for young girls, urging them to remain focused and disciplined.

In the Nhanga, Dr Mnangagwa asked how they would respond if a boy proposed, with one girl saying: “Unondidii munhu achiri kupiwa mari yemaZapnex naamai vako.”

Another one said, “I will respond saying, ‘Police ahead, handidi, handitode.’”

Mother Zimbabwe, who taught the girls household chores, including even the process of slaughtering chickens, also asked about their preferred career choices, with some saying they wanted to be engineers, lawyers, nurses, and teachers, among others.

The chiefs’ wives, including those from Zambia and Mozambique, took turns giving heartfelt guidance to the girls, urging them to dress decently, respect themselves, and prioritise education over early marriage.

They emphasised that men will always be there, but a girl’s future depends on listening to her parents and staying focused on school.

Angel of Hope Foundation board member Mrs Rachel Nield-Geranios urged girls to prioritise education, avoid boys, care for their bodies and minds, and focus on building a bright future through learning.

She also praised a Grade 4 pupil who expressed her dream of becoming an engineer, saying such vision is the key to success.

During the Gota session, led by local Chiefs Chapoto and Chisunga, together with chiefs from neighbouring countries Chiefs Mphuka and Mburuma among other elderly men, boys were taught about drug and substance abuse, bullying, safe relationships while at school, and the dangers of same-sex relationships.

They also received guidance on social media misuse and understanding fertility, including how to test it when they grow up.

Chief Mphuka said that even in his country there is a Dare, which serves both as a forum for governance and as a mentorship space, where boys or young men learn life skills, social responsibilities, and cultural norms under the guidance of elders.

He described it as an honour to exchange ideas with his Zimbabwean counterparts.

The boys were also taught essential life skills, and later, when they marry, they received guidance on the proper procedures and responsibilities involved in marriage.

In her address, the First Lady said Mbire is one of the areas identified by Government for accelerated development, with the path being followed a living example of President Dr Mnangagwa’s policies in action.

“For many years, this district remained on the margins of national progress. However, under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr ED Mnangagwa, we have embarked on an inclusive development path that draws upon the rich natural, cultural, and human heritage of each region,” she said.

“This approach is firmly grounded in our national vision for transformation Vision 2030 which seeks to make Zimbabwe an upper middle–income economy by the year 2030. It is further guided by the National Development Strategy 1 and 2 (NDS1/ NDS2), which emphasise rural industrialisation, environmental protection, and inclusive growth.”

Dr Mnangagwa emphasised that the area’s abundant wildlife and natural wealth must be used sustainably to uplift every family, not just a few.

“I came to thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for the wonderful work you are doing to conserve our natural resources. Your efforts are not only protecting our environment but also building a foundation for sustainable growth and transformation,” she said.

Mother Zimbabwe expressed deep appreciation for the people of Mbire and Kanyemba for their resilience and their work in protecting natural resources through initiatives such as the CAMPFIRE and UNDP-GEF6 programmes.

“I commend the people of Mbire for your resilience, your care for the environment, your progress, and your commitment to your community. Your efforts will never be forgotten. You are at the heart of our national vision for inclusive and sustainable development.

“Together, let us continue protecting our country and building a future where both people and nature thrive in harmony,” she said.

Dr Mnangagwa assured the community that the Government remains committed to improving safety and livelihoods through collaborative conservation programmes and the creation of sustainable enterprises such as tourism, livestock production, and fish farming along the Zambezi River.

The First Lady also lauded traditional leaders for preserving cultural values and justice, urging them to continue guiding their people with wisdom and courage.

“To our traditional leaders, I offer my sincere gratitude. Your role as custodians of our wildlife, as arbiters of justice, and as protectors of our cultural values is invaluable.

“As a nation, we value your role and advocate for your voice to be heard even in international forums on conservation,” she said.

Dr Mnangagwa also spoke about human-wildlife conflict, drug and substance abuse, and the need to safeguard the nation’s future generations.

Indeed, Mother Zimbabwe’s visit was more than a routine engagement; it was a heartfelt embrace of her people. Her compassion, her drive for community empowerment, and her unyielding advocacy for environmental stewardship have ignited a new spirit in Kanyemba one that blends tradition with transformation.

As the sun set over the Zambezi River, the echoes of her message lingered as a reminder that where Mother Zim walks, hope follows.

Deputy Minister of Environment, Climate, and Wildlife John Paradza said her visit to Kanyemba makes their work easier.

“Our mother, you are always with us, travelling across the country, including hard-to-reach areas, implementing many life-transforming initiatives. We salute you for that,” he said.

Mashonaland Central Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Christopher Magomo said the love the First Lady has for Kanyemba people is unmatched.

“It is good that you live here. You are the ones who opened up Kanyemba for the world to know about it. We thank you for the initiatives you are implementing here,” he said.

ZimParks Director-General Professor Edson Gandiwa thanked the President for committing to the ZIMOZA Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) initiative, which seeks to manage shared natural resources across Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Zambia, with a focus on community economic inclusion and development.

“We will continue working to improve the lives of people while protecting our wildlife. We have provided a local vehicle to assist in managing human-wildlife conflict, and we are committed to bringing positive change to our communities,” he said.

Conservation partner Mr Chauruka of the CAMPFIRE Association of Zimbabwe said they are supporting community-led conservation and addressing major wildlife challenges, with junior rangers educating communities on coexistence between humans and wildlife.

He added that in Mbire, they are implementing several projects, including providing water, establishing cold chains, and installing chilli dispensers.

As part of gastronomy, several women from the district showcased their culinary skills in a Cookout Competition, preparing a variety of dishes using locally sourced ingredients.

All participants received Certificates of Participation, while the top three winners first prize Mary Charuma, second prize Moleen Besu, and third prize Mildred Kabarete were presented with gifts courtesy of the First Lady.

All the winning teams received various prizes, courtesy of the First Lady.

In soccer, Chiruhwe FC claimed first place, followed by Mariga FC, with Chiramba and Nyaruparo finishing third and fourth respectively.

In netball, Nyaruparo emerged victorious, with Chiramba taking second place, Chiruhwe third, and Mariga fourth.

In volleyball, two teams competed, with Chapoto Secondary School prevailing over Chiruhwe.

Health checks were also conducted, with participants screened for blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and other common health conditions.

Entertainment included lively traditional Zambian dances, and a moving poem delivered by Grade 5 pupil Godfrey Sango left the audience inspired, as it highlighted the positive impact of the First Lady’s initiatives in the community.