Online Reporter
Trust Khosa-Lifestyle Senior Writer
Tomorrow is Mother’s Day.
It’s not a public holiday, but a day to celebrate mothers — and sometimes mother figures — for their care, sacrifices and the impact they have on their families and communities.
Known for their unconditional love, emotional attachment to family and steadfast faith in God during both good and trying times, mothers and mother figures remain the glue of society.
At family level, they are the roots that shield the home when it is shaken.
Despite their natural fragility, they are strong emotionally and spiritually.
Their words, prayers and declarations can move mountains.
Their tears do not fall in vain, and their sweat brings food to the table.
As has become the norm, mothers and mother figures are pampered with gifts on this special occasion.
In summary, this day honours every kind of mother who has been there for us from the beginning.
It should also recognise grandmothers, stepmothers, foster mothers, guardians, and caregivers.
In today’s issue, we depart from the norm by exploring the mother-to-son love.
Often described as stronger because of a combination of biology, upbringing and attachment patterns, this kind of love is unique — and the same is also true of father-to-daughter love.
It has been established that the mother–son bond begins earlier, as mothers frequently provide physical care.
As sons grow, they hardly forget their mothers. That is why many successful people go out of their way to honour them.
Internationally, we have seen football stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, who shares a strong bond with his mother, Maria Dolores Aveiro.
There are also numerous examples of men whose fathers abandoned them, such as Memphis Depay, Casemiro and Luis Suárez.
On home turf, we have plenty more. For example, some have gone out of their way to honour their mothers through naming rights. Businessman Shingi Mutasa named Joina Mall in Harare after his mother.
There are also several others who publicly acknowledge their spouses for their success in business — especially Tinashe Mutarisi, who was blessed with seven children by his wife, Kudzai. The media-shy lady, who is inactive on social media, just like her husband has been credited with rallying behind the family business.
No doubt, their son Tinashe Mutarisi Junior has been “anointed” to run Foodies’ eatery through her blessings.
Mutarisi family
In Christian circles, it’s hard to ignore Pastor Bonnie Deuschle, whose son, Daniel Deuschle, is a worship leader and preacher. He has been featured leading worship and ministering at Celebration Ministries International events, such as the Synod conference and men’s retreats.
The Herald on Saturday Lifestyle interviewed several celebrity mothers, who are raising sons excelling in the creative sector.
Songbird, preacher, and choreographer Duduzili Manhenga is a proud mother of two sons — Mongameli Tatenda Muparutsa and Naluthando Tinashe — both doing well in the creative sector. Mongameli is the youngest director at Reps Theatre in Harare, while Naluthando is a drummer and a music student.
Sharing her joy in raising sons in the creative sector, Dudu — as she is affectionately known — firmly believes that God has blessed the family beyond words.
“My son, Mongameli Tatenda Muparutsa, aged 22, is a theatre director with Reps Theatre, where he has directed two productions — ‘Running on Empty’ and ‘New Year’s Eve at the Morgue’. He trained at the Zimbabwe Theatre Academy.
“As for Naluthando Tinashe Muparutsa, he is currently training at the Zimbabwe College of Music, 25 years after my own training.
He is majoring on drums, but he is an all-round performer,” said the proud mother.
Dudu was equally excited to be raising fans in the creative sector, since she is well-versed in the area.
“It’s been fun because we have so much conversation, since this is my field as well. When we watch a movie, we discuss shots, score, continuity. We listen to music together and discuss chord progressions and choice of melodies and such stuff. It’s so much fun to speak the same language with them.”
She also recounted how she discovered their interests in their calling.
“When they were younger, we could tell that they were all going to be creatives because of how they would sit through rehearsals and make comments after. Even our older daughter is now singing with Nobuntu in Bulawayo.
“Mongameli surprised us with his choice of field. Though he is musical, we were not expecting the theatre and film aspect.
“Naluthando had been resolved about drums.”
She added: “Now we are having him expand to playing keyboards, bass, singing, dancing and everything creative. We will see what he will land on. He is still 18.
“I am really blessed that they have decided on what they want to do, and I believe they have room for growth.”
Leonard Dembo’s widow, Eunice Munatsi — better known as Mai Dembo — revealed that her sons Morgen and Tendai were anointed by their late father at a younger age.
“My late husband Leonard was the one who noticed Morgen’s talent at a young age, since they used to sing together,” she recalled.
“As for Tendai, he was a bit reserved, but it was Morgen who showed signs that he was a talented vocalist.
“I was not surprised when he proved that he can sing like his father, but now it is Tendai who has proved otherwise. If you hear him singing out there, you might think Dembo is back home.”
Despite getting widowed at a young age, she revealed that she was determined to look after the children.
“Mothers are meant to raise their children, and I am glad that I have managed. After all, mothers are meant to protect their families, and I am simply doing what I was assigned to do by the Lord.
“Even if Dembo was still alive, I would still work for my family as a way of supplementing him.”
She continued: “I am proud to be a mother, and this occasion means a lot to us as mothers. Of course I expect to be pampered with gifts, but I have managed to raise my two boys and girl well.”
Daisy Mtukudzi, who lost both her husband —Oliver — and son Samson, recalled how he used to spoil the departed duo.
Daisy Mtukudzi
“Mother’s Day used to be a big occasion for us. We used to exchange gifts back in the day,” she said.
“My husband would spoil us even before we built Pakare Paye, and I was like a mother to him who returned the favour by also making him happy.
“When it came to Sam, I noticed his passion for music when he went to a multi-racial pre-school where discipline was enforced. His passion grew when he went to Prince Edward, and I kept encouraging him.
“However, his father transferred him to Chindunduma High School because he was more into music, but he became worse there.”
Daisy, who still runs Pakare Paye, added: “I feel empty after helping my two good men — Oliver and Sam — but memories will last forever.”
Baba Machanic Manyeruke’s wife, Hellenah, was also proud of her son Emmanuel, better known as Guspy Warrior, a Zimdancehall artiste.
Baba Machanic Manyeruke’s wife, Hellenah
“For your own information, Mother’s Day is special to me because it reminds me of the special bond I have with my husband and children.
“As for Guspy’s talent, I noticed it since he used to sing in church and later at Msengezi High. We could not stop him, but simply bless his calling,” asserted Mai Manyeruke.
“We have a strong bond that comes naturally, and I am glad that he is also following in his father’s footsteps. I will continue supporting him the same way I do his father.
“After all, they are both my men, and I am there when he needs me.”
After all has been said, the mother–son bond is not only uniquely unconditional, but continues to yield results.
