The Sunday Mail
Tendai Rupapa in Gwanda
Sporting activities are therapeutic and promote a healthy population that can ably contribute in building a prosperous nation, First Lady Auxilla Mnangagwa said yesterday.
She said this at a fun-filled day in Matabeleland South, where she hosted the third leg of her Family Fun Day in Gwanda, which saw her interacting mostly with the elderly in various sporting activities.
Scores of the young and elderly thronged Phelandaba Stadium and partook in various sporting activities such as netball, volleyball, soccer, clay pot balancing, egg-in-a-spoon race, sack racing and tug of war, among others.
There were also dancing, singing, eating and modelling competitions. “Sporting activity has numerous health benefits. It is a preventive method of warding off diseases,” she said.
“I am promoting fitness, wellness and good health, which is an enabler for you to function in all other respects. I cannot overemphasise that a healthy nation is a prosperous nation.
“The Family Fun Day events will continue to cascade to other provinces.”
The disabled also shared in the camaraderie.
The First Lady, who is an ambassador of health and child care, is striving to promote fitness and good health through sport.
Yesterday, she characteristically lit the event when she participated in the egg-in-a-spoon race and marathon walk.
Among the highlights of the day, the First Lady was awestruck by karate skills that were displayed by two five-year-old girls, Luyanda Sibanda and Thandi Lebani.
Participants walked away with gifts, while those who attended the event also received some goodies.
The inaugural event was held in Harare last year, followed by the second one in Gokwe.
The First Lady — who is also the ambassador of environment — also had an opportunity to clean the streets of Gwanda.
“It is important to keep our environment clean, and the cleaning exercise we did should be the beginning of a culture of zero tolerance to litter.
“Let Gwanda residents be known as champions of cleanliness and remember that it all starts from your own households.”
The First Lady was accompanied by the Minister of State for Matabeleland South province, Abedinco Ncube, and officials from the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation.
