The Sunday News
Tendai Rupapa in Gokwe
FIRST Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa yesterday hosted a family fun day at Manyoni High School in Gokwe, Mashonaland East province, through her charity foundation, Angel of Hope, where she took the opportunity to interact with women from the area.
She also effortlessly participated in various sporting activities that were lined up for the fun-filled day.
The inaugural event was held in Mabvuku, Harare, on June 23. Similar initiatives will be held in the country’s 10 provinces.
Addressing thousands of people who gathered at the school, the First Lady reiterated that the event was non-partisan and apolitical.
“The reason I am here is to promote fitness and good health. This is not a political gathering. It doesn’t matter which political party you belong to or which church you go to. We are here to interact as a family through sports.
Exercising is good for our health; hence, I encourage you all to continue keeping fit; let it not be a one-day event.”
She said as health, women and child ambassador, her wish was to see a reduction in both cancer-related deaths and maternal deaths.
As has become the norm, the First Lady also brought a mobile clinic from the Ministry of Health and Child Care for women and men to volunteer for cancer screening, which, she said, was the first step to treatment, care and support.
“Before you go back to your homes, you must all be checked for cervical, breast and prostate cancers. Cancer is a silent killer disease. My wish as a health ambassador is to see people living a healthy, long life and this can be achieved through eating healthy and exercising.”
The First Lady urged Gokwe women to unite and start income-generating projects, a move which she said would uplift their lives while contributing to macro-economic development in line with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s vision.
She also lit up the event when she put on her racing shoes for the 5km fun run together with other women from the community. After the event, the First Lady also participated in the egg-in-a-spoon race, where she came second, much to the amusement of thousands of people who cheered the competitors. She also did will in the claypot-balancing competition, which she participated in with so much ease. In the spirit of the event’s pageantry, the First Lady swapped her racing shoes for the judge’s hat as she presided over a cooking competition.
Amai Mnangagwa took the opportunity to officially hand over a borehole, which was drilled with her assistance, to the school.
She also donated computers, books, cement, paint, and sanitary wear to various schools in and around Gokwe, including clinical equipment to clinics. The community also received cotton seeds, fertilisers and chemicals. Everyone who participated in the activities walked away with gifts, while also those who attended the event received some goodies from the First Lady.
The event, which ran under the theme “social networking and wellness through sport”, also included sporting activities such as sack racing, nhodo, netball, claypot balancing, egg race, tug of war and cooking, among others.
The First Lady was accompanied by the Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs Cde Owen Ncube, Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Professor Paul Mavima and Permanent Secretary in her Ministry, Dr Slyvia Utete-Masango. There were also officials from the Ministry of Youths, Arts and Recreation.
