Organisers of the upcoming First Ladies African Impact & Resilience (Flair) Summit in London are facing increasing pressure to reconsider the participation of Zimbabwe’s First Lady, Auxillia Mnangagwa, following protests from exiled Zimbabweans.
Mnangagwa, who also holds a position as a Zanu PF politburo member, is scheduled to be one of the speakers at the summit, which is set to take place between 16 and 18 June. However, her inclusion on the list of speakers has been met with strong disapproval by Zimbabweans living in the United Kingdom, many of whom say they were forced to flee their homeland due to Zanu PF policies.
These diasporans have been actively lobbying the summit organisers to withdraw their invitation to Mnangagwa. Their efforts have already seen success, with a leading British parliamentarian withdrawing from the summit after Zimbabweans contacted her office.
The office of Brent East MP Dawn Buttler stated that she was unaware of her inclusion as a speaker at the conference alongside Zimbabwe’s First Lady. They clarified that she had neither received an invitation nor agreed to participate in the event, despite the summit’s official website listing her as a key speaker.
Sources have indicated that the organisers are planning to hold an emergency meeting to discuss whether Mnangagwa should remain part of the summit or be asked to withdraw. “An emergency crisis meeting will be held on Monday to decide on whether the Zimbabwean first lady should remain part of the meeting following widespread concerns,” an informed source revealed.
While Flair co-founder Yvonne Thompson has not been available to confirm these developments, an insider told The Standard that the protests by Zimbabweans against Mnangagwa’s presence have created significant challenges for the organisers.
Zimbabweans have argued that the First Lady’s association with a government accused of human rights abuses, corruption, and repression is incompatible with the summit’s stated values.
One Zimbabwean living in the UK expressed their disappointment, stating that it was disheartening to see “Mnangagwa masquerade as patron-elect for this Flair Summit, a clear sign that, like her Angel of Hope in Zimbabwe,” her involvement is questionable.
According to the Flair website, Mnangagwa has been chosen as the patron of the summit, although it does not specify when she was elected or by whom.
In a statement published on the website, Mnangagwa says, “As patron elect, I am committed to supporting the goals of the Flair Summit strategy, Africa, in particular, holds immense potential. By investing in the empowerment of women, we are unlocking a significant part of this potential. Women are the backbone of our communities; their empowerment leads to stronger, more resilient societies. When women thrive, everyone benefits including families, communities, and nations.”
The summit is expected to be attended by first ladies from across Africa. The event is intended to celebrate women who lead with compassion, integrity, and courage, qualities that critics argue are in stark contrast to the actions of Zanu PF on the ground.
The forum was established by diaspora women leaders to collaborate with women in Africa for the betterment of society. The controversy surrounding Mnangagwa’s participation highlights the complex dynamics between Zimbabwe’s political situation and international efforts to promote women’s empowerment and leadership.
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