The Sunday Mail
Prophetess Ruth Makandiwa shed tears while thanking her mother-in-law during a Mother’s Day event last Saturday
Fatima Bulla – Religion Editor
The United Family International Church’s Prophetess Ruth Makandiwa last week wept before her mother in-law at an event to celebrate Mother’s Day.
Last Saturday UFIC set aside time for women in the church to honour their mothers for the role they played in giving birth and raising families among other critical duties.
And the venue was the City Sports Centre were more than 5 000 women took turns to appreciate the day officially celebrated on the second Sunday of May.
While song and dance kicked off the programme, excitement built up when Prophetess Ruth who is wife to charismatic Prophet and founder of UFIC, Emmanuel Makandiwa walked in.
In an instant everyone was on their knees in honour of the mother of the church. Moments later women lined up to the altar for a thanksgiving offering to God for the leader he had placed in their midst.
A session characterised by emotions began to build up when 350 elderly women in the church were presented with food hampers and blankets worth US$27 500.
Prophetess Ruth Makandiwa then hands over a gift to her mother, Mrs Eliza Makawa after an emotional appreciation message
They were honoured for their diligent service in the church despite being well advanced in age.
The hampers were lined up one by one as Prophetess Ruth monitored everything while sitting on the carpet beside the podium.
Appreciation did not end there as Prophetess Makandiwa noted that due to the large number of people in attendance they could not all come to the podium to exchange their gifts.
“But allow me to thank my own mothers,” she highlighted.
Beginning with an appreciation to her mother-in-law Mrs Lilian Makandiwa, Prophetess Ruth broke down with emotion.
“I would like to thank my mother-in-law for giving me a husband, a father and a prophet for the nation. You did this not only for my family but for Zimbabwe as a whole. We are here today because of your teaching,” Prophetess Ruth said.
For a moment she went on her knees with tears in her eyes. Then after seemingly collecting herself she went on.
“I will not hide from you that I am loved and kept well by your son. At times you might see it without being told that we are happy. But truly we are happy.
“If there is one thing you did well is you taught him (Prophet Makandiwa) to worship God. And also the wisdom you gave him. I continue to pray that God will give you long life that you will see the sons of Joshua and Victor,” she said in reference to the great grandchildren.
Turning to her mother Mrs Eliza Makawa, Prophetess Ruth thanked her for raising a family under difficult circumstances in the rural areas.
“Thank you my mum, Gogo Makawa. You taught me well. My mother was laughed at because she had given birth to girl children only.
“But she taught us that what is important is not your gender but what is inside of you. At times we would stay at home on a Sunday because we did not have money for transport to go to church. And people would laugh at us saying we were too lazy to work on a Sunday. I grew up carrying a 25 litre container of water on my head and at a tender age I was able to prepare sadza.
Prophetess Ruth Makandiwa hands a cake to her mother-in-law Mrs Lilian Makandiwa after her speech
“And today I think had I not been taught these things where would I be. Even in Harare today you see people are now carrying containers of water on top of their heads.
“Thank you for teaching me love, Gogo Makawa,” Prophetess narrated tears filling her eyes.
What was to follow were hugs and kisses between a daughter and her mothers. Soon the venue turned into a place of tears as everyone stood before their own mothers, thanking them for their influence in their lives before handing over the gifts.
Thereafter, it was time for song and dance.
