Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
ON Sunday, as the world pauses to mark Mother’s Day, there will be flowers, gifts, hurried phone calls and carefully planned outings.
Yet beyond the celebration lies a deeper truth — the enduring strength of the mother, a figure who holds families together through sacrifice, resilience, and unwavering love.
To capture the essence of the day, The Manica Post spoke to a daughter, a mother, and a grandmother, whose voices reveal the journey of motherhood across generations.
For many, motherhood begins with the miracle of life.
But as Mrs Clara Dhliwayo (50), a mother of six, reflects, that is only the beginning of a lifelong journey defined by giving.
“A mother is important because she brings life into the world, but even after that, the real work begins. A mother raises that child, cares for them, guides them — not just when they are young, but even after they have grown,” she said, her words carrying the weight of lived experience.
Raising three sons and three daughters, Mrs Dhliwayo has navigated the complexities of parenting in a world that is constantly changing.
Yet her philosophy remains simple: prepare children not just to survive, but to become better people.
“I always tell my children that they must learn from my mistakes. Everything I went through growing up, I share with them so that they won’t repeat it. And it is not only the girls — even my sons must learn to cook, to clean, and to take responsibility. I want to raise good men, not just boys,” she said.
It is in such everyday lessons that the mother quietly shapes the future.
Mrs Dhliwayo spoke candidly about the hidden sacrifices that rarely make it into celebratory speeches.
“Sometimes there is not enough food, but as a mother, you make sure the children eat first. You tell them you are full, even when you are not. That is what mothers do — we give, even when we have nothing left,” she admitted, her words echoing a familiar reality across many households, where mothers stretch limited resources, juggle responsibilities and carry burdens that often go unnoticed. Yet, even within that sacrifice, there is room for joy.
This Mother’s Day, Mrs Dhliwayo is hoping for something simple, but meaningful — time with her children.
“I want them to take me somewhere nice. Maybe a place with water, a pool or even a beach. We can sit, sip some wine, have braai, and enjoy ourselves. That day is for us as mothers; we deserve to relax and be happy,” she said with a smile, her laughter carrying a hint of longing, but also pride in a role that she embraces fully, despite its challenges.
If Mrs Dhliwayo’s story speaks of active motherhood, Mrs Constancia Machiri (62), represents its evolution — a transition from raising children to nurturing generations.
A mother of five, grandmother of seven and now a great-grandmother, Mrs Machiri’s life is evidence of the far-reaching impact of motherhood.
“To be called a mother is something very special. A mother is like medicine — she heals, she comforts, and she supports everyone,” she said, her perspective stretching beyond her immediate family, reflecting the communal nature of African motherhood.
“When you become a mother, you do not just care for your own children. Even when your children marry, you guide their spouses, you help build their homes. A daughter-in-law is also your child,” she explained, challenging modern notions of family boundaries, emphasising connection over division.
“Mothers teach other mothers. We pass down what we know — how to care, how to endure, and how to love. That is how families stay strong,” she added.
Like many mothers of her generation, Mrs Machiri has witnessed and participated in the quiet struggles that sustain households.
“You see women everywhere working hard. Some are vending, some are doing jobs people never imagined they would do. But they do it for their children. A mother will do anything to make sure her family is okay,” she said, her pride was evident, not only in her children, but in what they have become — individuals who now give back.
“Even what I am wearing today, my children bought it for me. That is how you know you have done something right,” she said, smiling.
This Mother’s Day, her wish is both heartfelt and humorous.
“I am still waiting for my daughter-in-law. My son must not delay in getting married, but I also hope they will take me somewhere special. Last year they took me to Cape Town — it was beautiful. This time, maybe Victoria Falls,” she said with a lighter laugh. Her eyes lit up at the memory, proof that even after decades of sacrifice, mothers still dream, still hope, still find joy in life’s experiences. “They took me to the beach and even to Table Mountain,” she said.
While mothers and grandmothers like Mrs Dhliwayo and Mrs Machiri spoke from the position of lived experience, the true measure of their impact is found in the voices of the young generation.
For 18-year-old Wish Murandu, Mother’s Day is more than just a date on the calendar — it is a moment of reflection.
“I asked my mother what kind of cake she wants. It may seem like a small thing, but it matters because she matters,” said Wish. Behind that simple gesture lies a deep well of gratitude.
“Sometimes I sit and think about everything she has done for us. There are things she has given up that we may never fully understand. She chose our happiness over her own comfort, our future over her present. On this Mother’s Day, I am reminded of how special my mother is to me, in a way words can barely explain, because of how much she quietly gives up just to see us happy. She sacrifices everything without ever asking for recognition, carrying burdens we may never fully understand.
It hurts to think about how much she has given, but it also fills me with so much love and gratitude. Her sacrifices are the kind you feel in your heart — they remind me every day just how deeply she loves us,” said Wish, adding that she understands that motherhood is often defined, not by grand gestures, but by quiet, consistent sacrifice.
“There are times it hurts to realise how much she has given up, but it also fills me with love. Her sacrifices are something you feel deep inside. They remind me every day how much she cares,” admitted Wish.
It is in these moments of recognition that the cycle of love is completed — where sacrifice meets gratitude, and effort is finally seen. Across generations, the stories of these mothers and child paint a vivid picture of what it means to be an African mother — a figure of resilience, wisdom and boundless love.
A mother is the first teacher, the silent provider, the emotional anchor. She is the one who wakes up before everyone else and sleeps after the house has gone quiet. She is the one who holds the family together, even when she herself is falling apart. Yet, she rarely asks for recognition.
Motherhood, in its truest form, is not performed for applause. It is lived daily — in kitchens, in markets, in long walks to school, in whispered prayers before dawn. It is found in the small acts: a shared meal, a word of advice, a comforting presence.
As Mother’s Day approaches, it is worth remembering that celebration should not be confined to a single day. For every mother who has gone without so her children could have, for every woman who has carried both the visible and invisible burdens of family life, for every quiet act of love that has shaped a generation, appreciation should be constant.
That is something worth celebrating!
