Botswana First Lady praises ‘university in three days’ learning experience in Zim

UNFORGETTABLE, educative and inspiring.

These three words aptly capture the experience of Botswana First Lady Mrs

Neo Jane Masisi on her maiden threeday working visit to Zimbabwe with a high-powered delegation, which also included scientists, agriculture experts and women from underprivileged communities.

“I am glad to have had the opportunity to learn from the best.

“The trip has come to an end and, I must say, I have been to university in just three days, learning from one of the very best and I must really thank you my dear sister, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa,” Mrs Masisi said.

The visit, Mrs Masisi admitted, was an eye-opener and would remain etched in her mind with countless tangible lessons to pick from. Even her delegation was spellbound and promised to come back to Zimbabwe to learn more.

Of particular interest were Dr Mnangagwa’s life-transforming Agric4She programme, women empowerment, partnership with the University of Zimbabwe

innovation hub and interventions in the health sector.

Incidentally, Mrs Masisi has just been made a cervical cancer screening champion in Botswana and showed keen interest in tapping into Dr Mnangagwa’s mobile hospital concept to get to all corners of the country, including hardto-reach areas.

“Let me start by thanking our very gracious host, my sister, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, Her Excellency, the First

Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe. I will say it again that throughout these few days, history was made, and I was so touched as we finished it off.

“What an excellent way of finishing off!” she said merrily.

“The trip started off with me landing at the airport, which is normal, then we had a dinner, then we had a walkabout, but for me, my dear sister, the most fascinating thing is when I saw the women I came with from rural communities in Botswana, from Mabole, being trained by an Angel of Hope beneficiary, who is into peanut butter-making on a large scale. ◆ Read more on: www.sundaymail.co.zw

United by their two mothers . . . First Ladies Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa and Mrs Neo Jane Masisi had to admire as Ms Phatsimo Matshediso and Ms Ivy Musariri hugged each other, having been trading virtually in skin care products, only to see each other at Zimbabwe House on Thursday.

First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa and her Botswana counterpart Mrs Neo Jane Masisi admire as Ms Priscilla Mupanga taught Botswana women how to prepare peanut butter from groundnuts at Zimbabwe House on Thursday

First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa and her Botswana counterpart Mrs Neo Jane Masisi admire as Ms Priscilla Mupanga hands over to Botswana women the peanut butter she taught them to prepare, at Zimbabwe House on Thursday. — Pictures: John Manzongo

First Ladies Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa and Mrs Neo Jane Masisi listen as University of Zimbabwe dean of students Dr Munyaradzi Madambi explains before handing over to Mrs Masisi the various types of confectionary products that were produced from traditional grains such as sweet potatoes and pumpkins by students at their innovation hub, at Zimbabwe House on Thursday

First Ladies Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa and Mrs Neo Jane Masisi exchange gifts at Zimbabwe House on Thursday

First Ladies Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa and Mrs Neo Jane Masisi had an emotional farewell and shed tears as they exchanged gifts at Zimbabwe House on Thursday