Story by Josephine Mugiyo
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has described the First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa as a hard-working woman.
He said this at celebrations to mark her completion of studies at the Midlands State University which saw her attaining a Doctor of Philosophy (PHD) in Tourism and Hospitality Management.
To mark the achievement, celebrations were held this Saturday at the First Lady’s maiden home in Chiweshe. Thousands of people who included senior government officials joined the first family in the celebrations.
President Mnangagwa revealed that the First Lady is a hard worker who has tirelessly worked to further her education throughout their marriage.
“Today I said let me go to Chiweshe and celebrate her day. She is a very hard-working woman, she has worked so hard since we got married a long time back, she attained her O’ Levels, her first degree, I assisted, but on the PhD… She is now Dr Mnangagwa. If you want a PHD join the Mnangagwas. I’m happy to be here as we celebrate the First Lady. When I took her, she had an O’ Level and now she is ahead. It’s a good thing to keep on educating oneself as you can also inspire your children and grand kids,” he said.
The Head of State encouraged all who are pursuing their studies to go for it noting that no feat is impossible to achieve when one is determined to work hard.
“What is required is to work hard and you will achieve more. Nothing is impossible when you’re determined. If you see those ahead of you who are more educated, tell yourself that nothing is impossible.”
The First Lady is known for her philanthropic works which have seen her travelling to all corners of the country spearheading programmes that uplift the lives of the less privileged.
Turning to the 2024-2025 summer cropping season, President Mnangagwa said government will assist rural communities with seed and called on villagers to capitalise on the expected rains and put in the work to ensure food security starts at household level.
He said, “We are now waiting for the rains, we have a way of doing things in Zimbabwe. As a government we try by all means for all provinces and ministers of state to ensure villagers get seed. We want food security at the house-hold level. I’m telling the ministers of state they should preach the work that every family must arrange to ensure food security at household level. We want to help those who are willing to work. We don’t want any family to starve, our government ministers must know the families WiFi food and assist.
“We give our seed we don’t sell. If you see a minister who sells the seed let me know. But as families also look for ways of getting seed then as government we will assist. In SADC we have meetings, most if not all SADC countries think very highly about Zimbabwe, because year in year out Zimbabwe has fought to be food secure. We must not lose that position. We are an agriculture economy, yet we may have years of drought. It’s the mark of a sovereign state to be able to feed itself. I’m asking you all to be eager to go and farm.”
As the festive season approaches, President Mnangagwa used the platform to urge all road users to exercise extreme caution as they drive on the country’s roads.
“We’re going to Christmas, let’s be responsible in the manner in which we drink. There are many accidents that happen during the festive season, so I’m asking you to be careful on the roads. I’m saying this to the whole of Zimbabweans, each person must say I don’t want to be part of those who cause accidents,” said the President.
Among those who provided entertainment at the event was the ZCC Mbungo Brass Band and Suluman Chimbetu.
