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Tendai Rupapa in Chinhoyi
First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa yesterday took her clean homes campaign to Mashonaland West Province visiting families to promote cleanliness.

The campaign is part of her drive to promote cleanliness and hygienic practices to curtail the spread of water-borne diseases.

The First Lady is also encouraging women across the  country to get tested for breast and cervical cancer.

She has so far been to Budiriro and Glen View suburbs in Harare, the epicentre of a recent cholera outbreak which claimed 54 lives.

At least 1 000 cholera cases were recorded in the two suburbs.

In Chinhoyi, the First Lady visited residents of Golf Course Flats where she commended them for maintaining cleanliness.

She later visited Nazareth and Chengetanai old people’s homes where she spent the day with the elderly.

The First Lady donated an assortment of goods that included groceries and blankets to inmates of the two homes.

Addressing women at the Golf Course Flats, the First Lady said people should always ensure that their homes are clean and that their families practise good hygiene.

“Ndauya kuno kuti tizotaure nyaya yehutsanana ndichiona magariro amakaita. Ndapinda dzimba dzakawanda pano ndikaona dzakachena kwazvo. Ndochikurudzira zvakare kuti even nharaunda dzedu ngatidzichengetedze dzakachena. (I have come here so that we can discuss issues of hygiene. I have been to several homes here and I found them very clean. We must also maintain cleanliness around our environs.)

“Honai zvirwere kuwanda kwazvaita. Zvawandisa zvekuti tomboti, cholera yauya pano hapana anosara nekuti tiri panzvimbo imwe chete. Saka tese tikachengetedza hutsanana zvirwere izvi zvinogona kupera.

“Vanamai ndinokurudzira zvikuru kuti pese pamuri ngapave pakashambidzika nekuti donzvo riripo nderekuti ndirikuda kuti madzimai mugare dzimba dzenyu dzakatsvinda (I appeal to all women to maintain high standards of hygiene),” she said.

She said people should always ensure that their homes are clean, the food they eat is well cooked and their families practise good hygiene.

She also took time to preach the gospel of unity urging women to join forces to start income-generating projects.

The First Lady said such a move would uplift their lives while contributing to macro-economic development in Zimbabwe.

“Kuwadzana chinhu chakanaka mobatana pamwe chete moita mabasa emaoko kuti muwane cheuviri. Asi kana musingawadzane hapana chinobudirira naizvozvo batanai semhuri imwechete,” he said.

After visiting the families, Amai Mnagwagwa went to the old people’s homes where she received a thunderous welcome from the elderly and residents in the neighbourhood.

She interacted and shared lighter moments with the elderly.

In her address, the First Lady said it was everyone’s responsibility to look after the elderly in society.

“Kuswera kwandaita nevakwegura muno muChinhoyi zvakandikoshera zvikuru nguva nenguva ndichiita hushamwari navo.

“Because of this visit, we get to know each other. The elderly are the ones who are full of wisdom and have knowledge of the country’s history.

“I am urging churches, the corporate world and the generality of Zimbabweans to dedicate resources and their time for the welfare of the elderly.

“Let us all take care of the elderly so that their lifestyles match with those who are still fit and working for themselves.”

The elderly entertained the crowd through folktales and poems.

Amai Mnangagwa said she engaged relevant authorities in Chinhoyi for them to get screened for cancer and getting check-ups for other ailments associated with old age.

She also paid tribute to caregivers at the two old people’s homes for their big hearts which she said were full of love.

The First Lady gave away food hampers and kitchen utensils to women whose homes were   clean.

The First Lady, who is also the Ambassador of Women and Children’s Health, has been visiting communities across Zimbabwe promoting healthy living among citizens.

Through the Angel of Hope Foundation, of which she is the patron, Amai Mnangagwa has been leading in the fight against cancer while urging women to get tested for cervical and breast cancer.

She was accompanied by Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in Mashonaland West Mary Mliswa-Chikoka, Chinhoyi Mayor Cllr Dyke Makumbi and other senior Government officials during her historic visit to Chinhoyi.