The ManicaPost
Morris Mtisi Education Correspondent
SPEAKING in an interview with The Manica Post yesterday, the St Augustine’s Girls of Substance Movement expressed uncontrollable joy to meet First Lady, Her Excellency Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa tomorrow.
The First Lady will visit the institution tomorrow morning.
“I am extremely excited. We all can’t wait. This is one opportunity that comes once in a life time. We can’t miss it,” said Matipa Marokowere, a student.
“We are told Minister Monica Mutsvangwa is going to accompany the First Lady . . . Defence Minister Honourable Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri, Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Minister Honourable Kirsty Coventry and President of the Senate Honourable Marble Chinomona. What an honour and privilege! Where again in life would we be allowed to meet with them . . . and all at once? I am over the moon,” said Anotidaishe unable to manage her excitement.
Ashley Zingoni said this was an opportunity youths needed from time to time. “Not just lucky-us, but all youths! If we rub shoulders with our heroes, we will remember them easily and tap on their wisdoms and legacies. Politicians to us little girls and boys are always too far away from us . . . abstract and untouchable. This is a great opportunity for us to see them, talk to them and they talk to us and we learn from them.”
Panashe Munjoma said she would like to speak to the First Lady one-on-one and if she is lucky shake her hand . . . together with her team of cabinet ministers.
“May be even a hug, who knows?” she said. “I can’t wait. Another important thing that would push me into the seventh heaven is if there were an opportunity to be involved in her work of distributing relief aid and charity aid to those who need it. Her work is admirable. She is not selfish. She thinks about the poor and disadvantaged groups. I would like to rub that into my heart and mind.”
The St Augustine’s Girls of Substance said they were ready to engage in a war against student promiscuity, drug abuse and other forms of wayward behaviour that have become a nightmare in the moral lives of youths, especially those in schools, colleges and universities.
“We want to grow into responsible adulthood and eventually into women of substance . . . but that does not happen if the girl in us does not transform,” said Panashe.
“The First Lady and her team of women of substance have done us a once-in-a-life-time favour. They are very humble and exemplary. We will never forget the Girls of Substance Movement and Angel of Hope Foundation. These are serious game changers in our lives. We will never forget June 22 2019. We will remember all our heroes dead and alive with honour and pride.
And as much as we celebrate the valour, courage and heroism of these our mothers who took part in the armed struggle, so do we celebrate the same about Cde Tendai Pfepferere and Father Keble Prosser. Now we know the story about their courage and selfless dedication to armed struggle and freedom for all. We hope their story will be properly documented and written about to be remembered for ever.”
The St Augustine’s Girls of Substance were accompanied to Diamond FM by school deputy head Mr Makamba and the movement matron, Mrs Muharu.
