Tinotenda Hove- First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa has triggered public criticism after openly endorsing a private nursing school named after herself, a move critics have described as self-serving and tone-deaf.

In a statement last week, Mrs Mnangagwa made no attempt to distance herself from the personality cult around the institution, instead celebrating the Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa School of Nursing in Kadoma.

She said:
“I am glad to have fulfilled my commitment to support the country’s newly established first private nursing school, the Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa School of Nursing in Kadoma.”

“Through the Angel of Hope Foundation, we delivered training equipment, beds, medical accessories, sanitary wear and food supplies to support our pioneer student nurses.”

“May they learn, serve and lead with compassion, dignity and Ubuntu.”

The school was established by businessman Jimayi Muduvuri.

The endorsement has drawn comparisons to former First Lady Grace Mugabe, with observers questioning why a national nursing institution should be named after a sitting First Lady who is then seen donating to it and praising herself in the process.

Critics argue that at a time when public hospitals are underfunded and nurses are leaving the country in droves, the focus should be on fixing the broken public health system rather than unveiling private schools bearing political names.