Story by Oleen Ndori
PRESIDENT Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa has commended Zimbabwean women for their growing contribution across all sectors of the economy, as the country intensifies efforts to attain upper-middle-income status by 2030.
Speaking at the Zimbabwe Women Excellence Awards held at State House in Harare this Friday, the President said women remain central to the implementation of the National Development Strategy 2, where they continue to assume key leadership and technical roles in national development.
He paid homage to the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa and the role she is playing in cultural aspects, fighting the scourge of the drug and substance abuse at her facility in Mbare, supporting orphans and vulnerable children in Chiredzi, Masvingo Province, providing maternal health support across the country and supporting to the elderly and those with disabilities.
President Mnangagwa said the First Lady’s work in promoting Zimbabwean identity and culture through various gastronomy and Nhanga/ Gota programmes is commendable.
The Head of State said Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa is a vital cog in pushing Zimbabwe’s development aspirations.
In the political sphere, President Mnangagwa paid tribute to the women who have stood with the country from the days of the struggle for independence to present day Zimbabwe – saying the appointment of Honourable Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri as the first ZANU PF National Chairperson and Minister of Defence is a celebration of the role she has played thus far.
He also celebrated the role being played by the current Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Honourable Barbra Rwodzi in pushing Brand Zimbabwe and the growth of the tourism sector.
The Chief Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza, Attorney General Virginia Mabhiza, Prosecutor General Justice Loice Matanda Moyo were also celebrated for their part in justice delivery and governance.
President Dr Mnangagwa also shared how the current Cabinet is constituted by more females; while in the academia, Professor Doreen Moyo of Gwanda State University was honoured as the only female Vice Chancellor across the country’s state universities.
He said women in the health care sector serve as the bedrock of the country’s target to achieve universal health access.
The President also celebrated the unsung heroes across the country raising children and creating homes that bring up morally upright children capable of driving the nation’s forward.
