SYDNEY MUBAIWA
MASVINGO- President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s eldest sister Emma Mnangagwa (Gogo Mai Nico) on Saturday last week celebrated her 89th birthday at the family’s farm near Mutendi High School in Masvingo.
Speaking at the ceremony, her young sister Irene Mnangagwa said Gogo Mai Nico is the family’s anchor praising her for working hard and uniting the family.
“During the liberation struggle, we fled to Zambia where we stayed for a few years. During the years, she was generous and hardworking.
“She was smart and she trained us how to handle our families, this is why we are still in our marriages. She was hardworking and committed in uniting the family,” she said.
In his remarks, President Mnangagwa’s youngest brother, Patrick Mnangagwa said she groomed the family in a respectable manner.
“Hongu ndinovati sister but ndimai. Takatevedzera gwara ravo tikararama. Ini ndinogara kuKwekwe naPresident and every time His Excellency vanorumbidza sister vedu kuti vakatichengeta zvakanaka.
“Kana wanga usingazivi, usina respect kwavari dzoka uzvininipise wokumbira ruregerero.
“Takawanda, vamwe vedu vari Zambia vamwe Zvishavane. Isu takadzidziswa kurima nasister vedu. Hapana anondikunda kurima. Ndinonzwa kuti mwaka unotevera kune El Nino induced drought, but ndodakukuudzai kuti mhuri yedu haifi nenzara. Ndirikurimira nyika, ndorimira President. Hakuna anondikunda kurima nyika yese nekuda kwekuti ndakadzidziswa nemunhu anogona,” he said.
Gogo Mai Nico Mnangagwa gave birth to 7 children and has 37 grandchildren and 64 great grandchildren
She was born on the 13th of June 1937 in Tafirei Village under Chief Mapanzure area, Zvishavane in the Midlands province.
Her parents were Mafidhi Mnangagwa and Mhurai Mnangagwa. She was born in a family of six children and she is the eldest. Her totem is Shumba Murambwi.
Her father relocated to Mumbwa, Zambia in 1954 after being expelled from the country for protesting against colonial destocking policies.
The family followed in 1955 and returned to Zimbabwe after Independence in 1980.
Zion Christian Church (ZCC) leader Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi gifted Gogo Mai Nico R10 000 while Riverton Academy director Philmon Mutangiri gifted her US$400.
The money was handed over by a school official on behalf of Mutangiri who was accompanied by learners led by Prudence Mnangagwa, a niece.
The event was attended by family members, friends, senior government officials and village heads.
