FORMER Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor, Gideon Gono, appears to have wormed his way back into Grace Mugabe's heart after months of acrimony driven by the ruling Zanu PF party factionalism.
Grace at the weekend publicly lauded Gono while officially opening the Danhiko Paralympic Games in Harare.
Gono, who has been reported in the past to be backing a faction led by Vice-President Joice Mujuru, was last week barred from taking over the Buhera senatorial seat left vacant by the death of former minister Kumbirai Kangai.
The First Lady has since her entry into formal politics received backing from a faction led by Justice Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa that is fighting Mujuru.
Gono has therefore found himself on opposite sides with Grace.
On Saturday, however, the First Lady, who is the patron of Danhiko, set aside their factional allegiances and extolled Gono's virtues.
"To Dr Gono we say thank you very much for your support. You have become a permanent fixture here and I think we should make you an honorary supporter of this institution. We thank you for what you have done, thank you once again," Grace said to applause.
The First Lady did not reveal what contributions Gono has made to Danhiko.
Gono's bid for the senate faltered last month after the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) wrote to Zanu PF national chairman, Simon Khaya Moyo, telling him that the former Reserve Bank governor was ineligible for the senate because he was not on the list of candidates submitted to the commission in the run up to last year's elections.
ZEC chairperson, Rita Makarau, also indicated that the move by Registrar General Tobaiwa Mudede to transfer Gono's name from the voters' roll in Harare to Buhera was "a fraud".
But speaking at Great Zimbabwe University at the weekend, Mnangagwa threw a lifeline at Gono saying the ex-banker could still make it into the senate after all.
Last week, Mnangagwa told the state media that "the Gono issue was closed", remarks that set him on a collision course with party spokesman Rugare Gumbo.
"Gono still has very high chances of landing the Senate seat, absolutely high chances. The problem with our media is lack of education," Mnangagwa said while delivering a lecture at the university.
Meanwhile, Mujuru at the weekend donated $10 000 to the Danhiko Project.
Mujuru said she had high regard for the First Lady over her charity projects.
"Your abundant kindness is so evident in the projects you have initiated such as the Mazowe Children's Home which you built from scratch but today is second to none.
"One can only see the hand of God for in Matthew 10 v 42, Jesus said, 'if you even give a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers you will surely be rewarded'.
"This spirit of giving on your part becomes contagious and exemplary to those who appreciate your good work," said Mujuru.
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Grace sings Gono's praises
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