Desist from marrying off young girls: First Lady

Tendai Rupapa in CHIWESHE

PARENTS and guardians must desist from marrying off girls at tender ages, but allow them to pursue education to realise their full potential and contribute to national development, First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa has said.

She made the remarks before President Mnangagwa and thousands of people, including Government Ministers, chiefs, evangelists, worshippers and community members who attended an event organised by Mashonaland Central province to celebrate her recent attainment of a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management from Midlands State University.

The First Lady, who was born and bred in Chiweshe, Mazowe Central, said she was deeply embarrassed that her home province topped in child marriages, a situation she said needed redress.

By pursuing education, the First Lady said she had set an example for women and girls countrywide that with determination, one could realise one’s dreams and crawl out of poverty. She expressed gratitude to her home province for hosting the congratulatory party in her honour.

“I wish to thank you for coming here in your numbers, worshippers, prophets, evangelists, intercessors and our spirit mediums.

“All that defines us as Zimbabweans, as sons and daughters of the soil. The journey I traversed was no stroll in the park. Thank you my brother Sabao (referring to her former classmate Mr Costain Sabao), I never thought there was someone bearing witness to the hardships. We were three in our family, between myself and my brother Chief Negomo, there is one who passed on,” she said.

“I attained my PhD degree but it was not an easy road, I worked so hard. Thank you all from the other provinces who have come with your families. I put this in the hands of God. I never cursed God for my tough childhood.

“I was humiliated at school due to non-payment of school fees. I walked barefoot to school, but I never stopped working hard and praying,” she said.

She shared how she used to work on the neighbouring farms to look after her siblings.

“In Glendale, there are many farms, some near the road. That is where we would go to work and stay there for two weeks during the school holidays. That is where I would dry okra so that when I came back home, I would have relish for my siblings. Everyone has their history, but that did not deter me from going to school. I kept on seeking to go further with my education,” she said.

She told the gathering how she used to go to the Apostolic church with her mother.

“The Apostolic church that I attended led by Madzibaba Gibson is the one that I followed. We would walk through the forests with my mother. My mother left, but I kept going to that church. I want to thank this church and its leadership nekuti ndakatanga kuendako ndiri mudiki. I also want to thank the Midlands State University. I worked with the varsity as they supervised my work. I almost got to the point of accusing them of not being fair to me.

“Each time I wrote an assignment, the whole paper would come back crossed out yet I would have done the assignment thinking I had nailed it. I would be ordered to redo it and would comply. The lecturers mark strictly without exercising favouritism. I would do the assignments over and over again,” the First Lady said.

“I only heard a few days ago that the chairman (Mash Central ZANU PF chairman Cde Kazembe Kazembe) and his province had organised this gathering to congratulate me. I thank you heartily for the gesture,” she said.

The mother of the nation said women and girls countrywide could take a leaf from her and pursue their education to the fullest.

“I did not do this for prestige. I do not compete with anyone. All I competed with were my books and my life. I always pray to God for a long life so that I can continue helping people and leave them at the next level of life. Women, I am so embarrassed here in Mashonaland Central province, that I must mention this.

“This is where children are married off at tender ages. Had I been promiscuous, I would not be here, zvino why vana vari kumhanyira dzimba nguva isati yakwana. I never dated ndichiri mwana as I was worried about feeding my siblings and my education. When there were floods, I would catch fish with my bare hands. It’s not of my own making but God. He saw the challenges I had. I thank God for this. I would catch fish for the children to survive. The ages you are at, my children, are for learning and knowing what you want to do in life and remain steadfast. God won’t forsake you,” she said.

Dr Mnangagwa put her foot down, denouncing child marriages.

“Mash Central is topping in child marriages. I urge you, mothers, to go to school so that you may not marry off your daughters at a tender age. Do not marry off children; they have their talents. But you are forcing them to bring you sugar on their way from school. No sugar comes from school. At schools, we have books and pens. Munoti mari yesugar yacho anenge aiwana kupi mwana wechikoro? I encourage the children of Mashonaland Central to have good manners. I have visited many provinces promoting good manners and speaking against child marriages yet my home province is embarrassingly at the top. We must discipline these children but do not kill them. Just a small rod from a peach tree will do the trick,” she said.

The First Lady thanked her husband, President Mnangagwa, for his support as he allowed her to pursue her education.

Earlier, the First Lady’s younger brother Mr Henry Kutyauripo spoke glowingly about his sister’s contributions to the family, jokingly urging the President to give his family a lobola top-up.

“My sister, the First Lady, as we grew up, we referred to her as Sisi Aku and that has never changed because she was free and still is and we were united as siblings. She would encourage us to study because she loved books. We are grateful for her achievement. I thank His Excellency, the President, for allowing my sister to further her education.”

“Now that our daughter has acquired more knowledge and there is beneficiation and value addition, I was proposing lobola top-up,” he said in jest.

Minister of State for Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs and Devolution Christopher Magomo said he was glad to be part of the celebrations for the intellectual milestone achieved by the First Lady.

“As Mashonaland Central, we are also grateful for the honour to host such an important event that not only recognises the remarkable achievements of our mother but also highlights the positive impact of her work on our society as a whole. I also welcome our Guest of Honour and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa. Your Excellency, we are delighted and grateful to host you as Mashonaland Central province. Under your leadership, we are witnessing significant initiatives in gender representation, with women now occupying key national positions that were previously reserved for men.

“This shift is not just a matter of equality. It symbolises progress and commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that women’s voices are heard and valued in all spheres of governance. Through your support, Your Excellency, our mother Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa has managed to achieve this significant academic milestone. The achievement is a powerful statement to the girl child that nothing is impossible if one is determined and supported.

“This spirit of determination is mirrored in her philanthropic works, which have reached every corner of this country, alongside various programmes aimed at restoring and upholding true Zimbabwean culture and Ubuntu within our communities. She is indeed a source of inspiration. We are proud of you. We take pride in your pragmatic and astute leadership,” he said.

On behalf of the academia, Prof Denhere, who represented Bindura University of Science Education Vice-Chancellor Professor Eddie Mwenje, hailed the First Lady for her achievement.

“We wish to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Her Excellency, the First Lady, on your successful attainment of your Doctor of Philosophy degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management from the Midlands State University. This remarkable achievement stands as a testament to your unwavering commitment to education and serves as a form of inspiration to countless Zimbabweans, particularly women and girls who aspire to achieve academic excellence.

“Dr Mnangagwa, your pursuit of higher learning reflects not only your dedication to personal growth but also your passion for fostering a brighter future for our nation. Your exceptional perseverance, philanthropic spirit and resilience are integral to the advancement of Zimbabwe and this academic accomplishment reinforces your pivotal role in shaping the nation’s future. By focusing your studies on the vital sectors of tourism and hospitality, you have demonstrated a deep understanding of the importance of sustainable development and economic growth for Zimbabwe. Your Excellency, as you continue to champion education, your scholarly contributions will undoubtedly enhance our global standing in the tourism sector, promoting innovation and excellence. We look forward to the profound impact your expertise will have on advancing tourism in Zimbabwe and strengthen our nation’s economy,” he said.

Touched by the example set by the First Lady, the community members wished the girl child to follow suit.

Mr Samuel Rusike, the corporate secretary of Canterbury Mining Pvt Ltd paid tribute to the First Lady for her academic achievement, which boded well for the province.

“The attainment of a doctorate by our mother, the First Lady, is a sure example to all and sundry that with determination, people can scale dizzy heights. Just like she said, children, especially the girl child, need to stay focused to achieve more in their lives and not rush into early marriages. As a company, we regularly give back to the community and to support Amai’s vision, we will also send the girl child to school. By doing so, they will not think of marriage while they are still young. We want the girl child in our province to follow the steps taken by our mother, steps to education and success. We thank Amai for being a role model,” he said.

This dovetailed with the views of Mrs Florence Jera, who said: “The First Lady’s background is so touching. She came through a lot and never looked back. She is a shining example of what hard work can do to the lives of the people. We thank her deeply for encouraging us women to pursue education and not to marry off our girls before the time is right. Education is key.”