The ManicaPost
Chenai Mutasa Post Correspondent
During the July 2018 electioneering period, political commentator Acie Lumumba, christened First Lady Amai Auxilia Mnangagwa, President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s “secret weapon”. The argument being that Amai Mnangagwa’s philanthropic work seemed synonyms with rallying the silent vote behind President Mnangagwa ahead of the 30 July elections.
Lumumba went on to describe the silent vote as people who do not attend political rallies but are likely to vote for a candidate who has potential to meet their needs.
It is, however, important to point out here that had Amai Mnangagwa been carrying out philanthropic work for votes, she could have stopped soon after the said elections — but no, her work is still being carried out with passion. On the other hand, it is also important to acknowledge validity of the argument that her work added value to her husband’s Presidential bid, simply because it uplifted people in need and in the process charming the electorate.
To begin with, Amai Mnangagwa’s war on cervical cancer, which happens to be a very sensitive issue among women, might have served to rally some women behind President Mnangagwa. This is so because, in as much as presidential hopefuls articulated their health policies, Amai Mnangagwa was already in the trenches – fighting. Logic therefore dictated that in the event that President Mnangagwa secured a fresh mandate, her wife’s good works would continue and grow – who in their right mind would not want that?
Amai Mnangagwa also took the war on cervical cancer to conservative communities such as apostolic sects, who shun medical assistance opting for prayers only. The breaking of such boundaries meant more people were likely to prefer having Amai Mnangagwa as the First Lady so as to perpetuate the empowerment of women as far as making medical choices is concerned.
As her work grew, so did her influence – the opposition and other foreign sponsored Government detractors could not have any of that. This explains the personal attacks Amai Mnangagwa has suffered and continues to suffer. There have been concerted efforts by the private media to create an impression that the First Lady’s philanthropic work is interfering with Government business.
Proponents of such rhetoric cite a recent incident where the First Lady toured the State-run pharmaceutical warehouse, National Pharmaceutical Company (NatPharm), where she was captured on video quizzing officials over stockpiles of undistributed medical drugs at a time most public hospitals were without drugs.What the private media seemed to conveniently forget is that the First Lady is driven by the suffering of the masses owing to the artificial shortage of drugs in private hospitals, which she witnessed first-hand during her tours.
As a citizen of this country and patron of Angel of Hope Foundation, a humanitarian organisation committed to the provision of social services to vulnerable groups in the society, the First Lady had every right to visit NatPharm and inquire on behalf of the said vulnerable groups why there were no medicines in the country’s public hospitals while pharmaceutical warehouse was filled to the brim. In fact every Zimbabwean has the right to make such an inquiry and that will not translate, in any way, to interfering with Government business – but access to information.
Amai Mnangagwa clarified the Natpharm incident saying opposition political parties should not remain in election mode and should stop attacking citizens concerned with the well-being of Zimbabweans, including their supporters. The First Lady further explained that when she made a visit to NatPharm, the Minister of Health, Obadiah Moyo, could not accompany her, but sent a representative as he was committed elsewhere.
The long and short of it is that the First Lady has become the voice of the vulnerable communities in Zimbabwe, whom her organisation is striving to provide with social services.
Her work, just like in the case of former First Lady of Argentina, Eva Perón, has added value to her husband’s Presidency as she has become protector, friend and mother of the vulnerable groups in our society.
Amai Mnangagwa should not be deterred from her work by the cynics whose job is confined in air-conditioned offices and commenting on social media on the goings-on in the country, devoid of any action.
Please Amai continue with your wonderful work, the country need a mother such as you.
