Zambian company donates to First Lady

Tendai Rupapa Senior Reporter

The good works being done by First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa through her Angel of Hope Foundation to empower vulnerable groups has won her regional and international admirers who are now embracing her works.

One such company is Geovedar Lenders Limited of Zambia which yesterday donated liquid fertiliser to the First Lady in a development expected to boost yields and improve livelihoods countrywide.

Dr Mnangagwa, who is Agric4She patron, immediately handed over the donation towards Agric4She farmer field schools and towards gardening projects for the elderly called “Ambuya’s garden” an initiative she is spearheading where the elderly grow various types of vegetables.

It is said only four litres of the liquid fertiliser is sufficient to cover a hectare.

Chief executive Mr Vernon Chembe, said they donated to the First Lady in recognition of her hard work and the spirit of helping others.

He described Dr Mnangagwa as someone who has a kind heart towards the needy.

“The First Lady roped in traditional leaders and religious leaders to advocate against gender-based violence,” said Mr Chembe.

“She has also enhanced education in the rural communities, raised awareness against Covid-19 in urban and rural areas.

“The First Lady has been going to rural areas and hard-to-reach areas to donate food baskets and promote women in this country to take personal responsibility in agriculture. We as Geovedar Limited we appreciate good works being exhibited by Amai. With her efforts, hunger and poverty will be a thing of the past.”

Angel of Hope Foundation patron First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa receives organic liquid fertiliser from Geovedar Lenders Ltd chief executive Mr Vernon Chembe and his staff, while Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary John Basera looks on at State House yesterday

Mr Chembe said it was time people took a leaf from the First Lady’s works.

“Amai founded Angel of Hope Foundation, an organisation that has a passion to alleviate hunger and poverty among vulnerable groups through agriculture. She is action- oriented,” he said.

“Hardworking women and their success is Amai Mnangagwa’s concern. Yes, let’s spare a thought for those who are crippled in agriculture and education. Let us be there for each other. As Africans, we have great goals and great dreams.

“Now its time we emulate First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa so as to auxilify poverty and hunger through agriculture. We want Africa to become a more better place that attracts the world. We want to thank Dr Mnangagwa for challenging women to take a responsibility as frontiers in agriculture.”

Mr Chembe said the First Lady had done tremendous work in initiating gardening projects for the elderly, a farming programme that supports rural communities and enabled the elderly to do backyard gardens.

The First Lady said it was encouraging when neighbours beyond borders appreciated the work she was doing.

“It is very encouraging if people from other countries recognise what you do,” she said.

“When I started Angel of Hope Foundation, I had a vision of helping the vulnerable groups. I did not realise that one day other companies from other countries would notice my work.

“I am encouraged to do more by these recognitions. The donation today is going straight to help those people I am so passionate to help. This company has come to enhance what I am doing here, we are one as Africans. Now, with this boost in agriculture, as women, as mothers, we should now work together to see the growth of our families, communities and the nation.”

Dr Mnangagwa said everyone must protect children from drug abuse.

“We do not want mothers who sell drugs to our children, killing them, instead, let us work together with our children,” she said.

“The issue of drug abuse must be shared in SADC countries to fight this scourge.

“The fertiliser we are receiving today has come in the right time as we are in the rainy season. Even our schools are going to benefit for they also have gardens where we are teaching them on the importance of agriculture, thus catching them young.

“There is no family that can prosper without the guidance of a mother, therefore, I am encouraging all mothers to introspect and be dignified and result oriented women. We need to produce tangible things. We have to be hardworking and be able to produce results. Thank you Geovedar Lenders for recognising my works.”

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Dr John Basera said there had been a surge in women’s participation in agriculture owing to the First Lady’s involvement and interventions.

“Amai, we want to thank you for championing Agric4She,” he said. “We have seen a surge in women participating in agriculture ever since Amai started spearheading and championing Agric4she. There is no economy which can grow without the involvement of women and Amai has passion for changing lives, transformation and growth of women.

“Amai, we were not going to achieve our agricultural goals without your support. We have surpassed the 52 percent involvement through Agric4she.

“We are already witnessing the fruits of your efforts. On climate change, women and children are the most vulnerable and the mother of the nation is working tooth and nail to curb this.”

Zimbabwe is on the brink of achieving high nutritional levels and food self-sufficiency, thanks to the Agric4She programme being spearheaded by its patron, the First Lady.