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Tsungai Chekerwa-Machokoto
The first man I ever knew was my father, my daddy, my hero.  He was a great preacher (still is), and that fact contributed into shaping the person I am today.  

My father, my daddy, the best man I have ever known. This Father’s Day got me thinking deeply about my own father.

I praise God for his life daily because I realise that it is unmerited favour that I get to enjoy him at my age. It truly is a blessing to have him just a phone call away.

My daddy is a preacher like I mentioned earlier and he is the one who taught me to read.

He was always very candid about life and quite easy going. I treasure my father because he is a strong man. I talk to him about everything.

No matter how I’m feeling, he is there for me. He is a punching bag sometimes, he gives me advice, he laughs with us and he doesn’t take himself too seriously.

He loves life and does not let anything steal his joy.

He is his own person and people’s perceptions of him don’t affect him at all. I love that man more than words can ever pronounce and I owe my confidence to him.

If I had a chance to pick a father out of a parade of men, I would without a doubt pick him.

I love you papa and I thank you for who you are and what you have done for me… We celebrate you and every other father in the truest sense of the word!

You see, fathers are of paramount importance to a child’s life and to a woman’s life. A house without a father is said to be “exposed’’.

The reason for this is that fathers have a special way of validating things, just by their presence.

It is interesting to note that even if a man is a drunk and a substance abuser, the moment he comes home, he is the king of that household and without his presence life can be drastically different.

Homes without fathers are labelled broken homes, this is before an inquiry into who caused the brokenness of the home.

I know that men contribute the most to homes becoming broken by their infidelity and their lack of the capability to say no to temptresses, but their contribution to our lives is priceless to be honest.

Yes, life can go on without them, but the going is tough and not as easy as having them around.

To the father of my children, I don’t know what I would do without you.  You make everything seem easy.

You take all the stress out of the house and try to maintain happiness even amidst trying situations.  You hustle hard and make sure we have everything we need.

You are priceless to me and the kids and I thank God for you every day.

Your patience, love and tolerance levels especially living with girls are admirable… Thank you for just being you.

Today we pay tribute to the hardworking men as well that, despite the country’s economic hardships that test the strength of any man, still manage to put food on the table and keep the family clothed and educated.

We are living in the same Zimbabwe as men but we still look up to them to sustain us despite the common knowledge of the hard times that we share.

Thank you for the hard work you put in for the good of your wives and children and extended families.

To the men who take on another man’s responsibility through dating or marriage, I salute you.

The pride of a man lies in his offspring and culture perpetuates that. For a man to take on a child that does not belong to him and or his clan, as his, is very bold to say the least.

All the questions from the family members, especially the parents, are met with stern responses that disarm them and all this is done to be able to love and care another man’s child. All the step fathers… Here’’s to you.

Death is a painful reality that strikes every now and again.

A lot of children have been left fatherless and the cushion of luxury that once enveloped the lives of innocent children is suddenly removed.

I have seen some men take on the role of the deceased in order to absorb the material shock of the children.

These men try by all means to maintain the standards that were set by the brother and sometimes they better that standard. It is not easy at all, but they do it.

They sacrifice themselves and certain basics to provide for the children. Words can never be enough to commend you for this priceless role you take.

There are a lot of men who are fathers by virtue of the inevitable results of their sperms that they are powerless to stop.

These are not the men we pay tribute to today.  We honour the men who despite their biology father children and families in a remarkable way, as if it is their God given obligation.

Such men are available to give hugs, to teach tough lessons, to love and to be a role model for the children that are neglected one way or the other.

These men are an extension of God’s heart to the world.We adore you.

I remember when I was a child, about 12 years old, my father had moved to Botswana and thus we didn’t really celebrate birthdays.

My babamunini Daniel stepped in and I remember he would always bring a cake for birthdays and it made it so special.

I treasure such memories. Just to know that he was there for us when he didn’’t have to reduces me to tears sometimes.

To the men who are financially privileged and set up trusts and wills for the benefit of their children’s future, we thank you today.

You set the standard up so high for us and without your love, protection and consideration, some children would have been left at the mercy of their surviving relatives. My late father in-law was one such person.

He was extremely hardworking and a provider to an amazing extent. He was a businessman.

One of the first businessmen to have become successful. Because of his reputation we still get respect that we don’t even understand.

My husband and his siblings have very big shoes to fill in that regard. He left them a legacy that thrives to this day.

The moment I mention my marital surname people ask about him. His providence still provides us with luxuries and we are grateful for that.

Finally, people make a lot of noise about Mother’s Day while Father’s Day goes by sometimes without even noticing.

I hope every man who reads this article will appreciate the appreciation that we as wives, children, workers, church mates, cousins and workmates have for you.

We love you.  We adore you.  We respect you.   We treasure you.  Your efforts towards making a comfortable existence for us are greatly valued and the world would be completely boring without you.

Thank you for being just who you are in our lives.  Here’s to you… Happy belated Father’s Day!