First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa yesterday visited former
president Canaan Banana’s widow, Janet, and national hero Dr Dumiso Dabengwa’s
widow, Zodwa, as well as veteran freedom fighters.
She visited Mrs Banana to thank her for the good work she
did during her time as First Lady and proceeded to console Mrs Dabengwa who
lost her husband last month.
The First Lady also visited war veterans Cdes David Mongwa
“Sharpshoot” Moyo, Aaron Ndlovu and Jane Ngwenya.
She was accompanied by Women Affairs, Community, Small and
Medium Enterprises Development Minister Sithembiso Nyoni, Bulawayo Provincial
Affairs Minister Judith Ncube and Bulawayo Metropolitan MP Priscilla
Misihairabwi- Mushonga.
The First Lady gave blankets and food items to Mrs Banana
and the three war veterans, who were pioneer guerrilla fighters during the
liberation struggle.
When she arrived at Mrs Banana’s home in Southwold suburb,
the former First Lady wept and expressed gratitude to the Amai Mnangagwa for
the visit.
First Lady Mnangagwa said she had been yearning to visit
Mrs Banana, whom she described as a humble and loving woman.
“I’m happy that I’ve visited the former First Lady today.
To me she’s a mother. I used to follow her work during the time she was First
Lady. I was young at the time and I admired the way she carried herself and
conducted her duties as First Lady.
“She was a humble, quiet and loving woman who had so much
respect for people. People admired her. I cherish the guidance she gave to the
people of Zimbabwe and I pray to God to keep her healthy,” said Amai Mnangagwa.
The First Lady proceeded to Cde Moyo’s house in Emganwini
before going to Fourwinds suburb to console Mrs Dabengwa.
She proceeded to Kensington to visit Cde Ndlovu and
Coronation Home to see Cde Ngwenya. Cde Ngwenya urged the people of Zimbabwe to
work hand-in-hand with the Government to revive the economy.
She said the country’s leadership was chosen by the people
and it was the same people who should work with the Government in rebuilding
the nation.
Cde Ngwenya urged women not to be afraid to speak out and
demand the services that they want from the Government because when the country
has challenges, they are the most affected group.
After the visits, the First Lady met elderly people from
Bulawayo at the Large City Hall, where she donated blankets and groceries and
assured them that the Government will make sure that they don’t go hungry.
She assured elderly people of better living conditions,
saying Government, through renewed economic policies, is working tirelessly to
end the country’s financial challenges.
The groceries included rice, sugar, cooking oil and
mealie-meal. “Our elderly people are the ones who suffer the most when it comes
to access to basic necessities.
“I’m here to encourage the elderly to be hopeful because
our Government is making frantic efforts to get us out of the financial
challenges we’re facing as a country,” said the First Lady.
Spouses of national heroes also attended the gathering at
the Large City Hall and they included Mrs Gift Masuku, widow to ex-Zipra
commander Lieutenant-General Lookout Masuku; Mrs Margaret Ncube, widow to Cde
Misheck Velaphi Ncube; Mrs Thandiwe Nkala, widow to Cde Enos Nkala; Mrs
Qhubekiso Mangena, widow to former Zipra commander General Alfred Nikita
Mangena; Mrs Chipo Nyathi, widow to national hero Dr Isaac Nyathi and Mrs
Sikhumbuzo Nkala, widow to war veterans leader, Cde Cain Nkala.
The families of former Zipra stalwarts Cde Jimmy Ntuta and
Lazarus Nkala sent representatives. Herald
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