MUTARE – President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Friday led a symbolic tree-planting ceremony at Mutare Polytechnic College, where he planted a Terminalia Mantaly, commonly known as the Umbrella Tree or Madagascar Almond, in honour of his late mother, Mbuya Mhurai Mnangagwa. The event was marked by a blend of personal reflection, environmental advocacy, and celebration of heritage as the President urged Zimbabweans to embrace tree planting as a vital part of national life.
The ceremony took place on the sidelines of the ZANU PF Annual National People’s Conference, drawing senior government and party officials, local leaders, and students. President Mnangagwa was accompanied by Vice Presidents Dr Constantino Chiwenga and Cde Kembo Mohadi, as well as ZANU PF National Chairperson Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, who also joined in the tree-planting exercise.
The Terminalia Mantaly, native to Madagascar, is widely appreciated for its symmetrical branches and distinctive umbrella-like canopy. It is often used for landscaping and shade in both urban and rural areas, symbolizing protection, growth, and endurance — values that the President said reminded him of his mother’s nurturing spirit.
In his remarks, President Mnangagwa said the act of planting a tree was deeply meaningful, serving both as a tribute to his mother and as a reminder of the importance of protecting Zimbabwe’s natural environment.
“This tree represents life, continuity, and the enduring love of a mother. My late mother, Mbuya Mhurai, instilled in me values of resilience and compassion, and it is only fitting that I dedicate this tree to her memory,” he said.
The Head of State and Government emphasized that tree planting should not be viewed as a symbolic gesture, but rather as a national responsibility. He noted that deforestation, soil erosion, and climate change continue to threaten communities across the country, and therefore citizens must unite in efforts to restore the environment.
President Mnangagwa Plants Commemorative Tree in Honour of His Late Mother at Mutare Polytechnic
“Let us all make tree planting a culture — in schools, homes, and workplaces. Every tree planted today contributes to the future generations we are nurturing,” President Mnangagwa urged.
Following the President’s address, Vice Presidents Dr Chiwenga and Cde Mohadi, along with Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri, each planted a tree to complement the symbolic gesture. The exercise was met with applause from students and guests, who hailed it as a powerful demonstration of leadership by example.
Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri, who is also the Minister of Defence and a native of Manicaland Province, praised the President for linking personal legacy with environmental conservation. “His Excellency’s gesture of honouring his mother through planting a tree reminds us all that trees are not only a source of life but also symbols of memory, heritage, and resilience. This should inspire us all to care for the environment in the same way we honour our loved ones,” she said.
The event also featured a presentation to President Mnangagwa of a book chronicling his life during imprisonment. The book, written and compiled by the Friends of Joshua Trust, documents the President’s experiences as a political detainee during the liberation struggle — a period that shaped his leadership and vision for Zimbabwe.
Officials from the Trust said the book serves as both a historical and motivational record, preserving key lessons from the nation’s liberation history. It captures moments of hardship, perseverance, and transformation that defined the President’s years behind bars and his unwavering commitment to the country’s independence.
The publication is scheduled for an official launch in December 2025 at Khami Prison in Bulawayo, where the President spent part of his imprisonment. The launch is expected to attract liberation war veterans, academics, students, and government officials who continue to draw inspiration from Zimbabwe’s liberation history.
During the Mutare Polytechnic visit, President Mnangagwa also toured the college’s facilities, commending the institution for its efforts in advancing vocational and technical education. He emphasized that such institutions play a critical role in Zimbabwe’s development agenda, particularly in producing skilled graduates who can contribute to national industrialization and innovation.
The President’s presence at the institution drew excitement from students and staff, many of whom described the day as historic. They expressed pride in being part of an event that not only honoured a national leader’s personal story but also underscored the importance of environmental stewardship and education.
Observers noted that the ceremony’s timing, ahead of the rainy season, aligned with Zimbabwe’s annual National Tree Planting Day campaign, which encourages citizens to plant and nurture trees across all provinces. Environmental groups have lauded the President’s consistent participation in such initiatives, saying it sends a strong message about government commitment to reforestation and sustainable land management.
As the event concluded, the Terminalia Mantaly tree planted by President Mnangagwa stood as both a tribute to maternal love and a symbol of renewal for the nation. Surrounded by trees planted by his deputies and party leaders, the small grove at Mutare Polytechnic now serves as a living monument to legacy, leadership, and environmental consciousness.
In honouring his mother through nature, President Mnangagwa reminded the nation that personal memory and national progress can coexist harmoniously — rooted in the soil of history, watered by the spirit of unity, and growing toward a sustainable future.
Source- Herald
