Chirere mangwana chigozokurerawo
Care for the child and the child will care for you tomorrow.
Tsanagudzo
Mwana anorerwa zvakanaka nokuti kana wachembera iye ndiye achakuchengeta.
What the Words Say
Care for the child and the child will care for you tomorrow.
What It Means
Care for the child and the child will care for you tomorrow.
Cultural Context
The proverb acknowledges the importance of parenting and intergenerational relationships in shona tradition. Anyone assigned a parental role needs to bear in mind that a child will remember and repay the care and nourishment they receivfd from a parent. In doing so the proverb use the act rearing a child a more generic sense which includes incalcating positive values in the child.
How It's Used
This proverb is particularly useful in situations of adopted parents but can also be used a calculated reminder to all parents. It does only refer to clothing and feeding a child but also developing their wisdom, morals and value systems. In some circumstances it can also be used to actually remind the child to reciprocate the care they received from a possibly neglected elderly parent.