Zimbabwe: Lifting the Forgotten: How Gwanda’s Gender Champion Is Transforming Lives of Women and the Elderly

Nomusa Sibanda, a councillor for Gwanda Urban in Matabeleland South under the Municipality of Gwanda, has become a driving force in transforming the lives of women, the elderly, and vulnerable groups often overlooked in local development processes. Born and raised in Gwanda, she rose to become Chairperson of the Staffing and General Purposes Committee and Deputy Chairperson of the Finance and Licensing Committee. Her colleagues, recognising her commitment to inclusive governance, elected her as Gender Champion after only eight months in office.

Her leadership is characterised by a passion for justice, empathy, and the practical improvement of people’s lives. She observed that the elderly especially elderly women had become “a neglected and forgotten group of people, yet a source of wisdom for our development.” Driven by this realisation, she initiated a resource mobilisation programme targeting elderly residents across all Gwanda Urban wards and those housed at the Gwanda Old People’s Home. She focused on groceries, clothing, buckets, hygiene items, and personalised support for individuals with special needs. At the same time, she pushed for corporate social responsibility within the local business community, urging them to support vulnerable groups.

Her broader objectives centred on improving the quality of life for women, mainstreaming ageing issues in development, and protecting the dignity and rights of marginalised groups. She understood that women whether young, elderly, single, or heading households carry much of the socio-economic burden within families. Through her work, she sought to ease these pressures and encourage women’s participation in community development and decision-making.

The impact of her initiative has been tangible. Elderly residents experienced improved food security, access to basic needs, and an improved sense of dignity. Those at the Gwanda Old People’s Home, who once lived in dire conditions without running water or functioning toilets, now have a borehole, repaired infrastructure, and access to mobility devices such as walkers. Vulnerable adolescents across Gwanda benefited from school fees, uniforms, and mentorship programmes that restored their confidence and kept them in the classroom. One young beneficiary, Marcus Ntini, expressed his relief and gratitude, saying, “Am happy I have been assisted with uniforms and school fees. Now I can attend all lessons without being segregated by others.”

Community engagement became the anchor of the project. Through WhatsApp groups, ward meetings, local press, and physical visits, residents identified vulnerable individuals who needed urgent assistance. Volunteers supported food distributions, meal preparation, blanket drives, and home visits. Local businesses were approached directly and encouraged to contribute. The process was fully transparent, with donors regularly invited to attend handover ceremonies. Elderly beneficiary Joshua Zulu expressed heartfelt appreciation: “Siyabonga ukukhunjulwa lathi ensukwini zokucina emhlabeni.” Another beneficiary, Rebeccah Nyathi, added, “Thank you for giving us a winter cheer.”

The changes were not only material but deeply social. The project strengthened community responsibility for elderly care, promoted inclusion, and built stronger social safety nets. It demonstrated that compassionate leadership, community collaboration, and deliberate mobilisation of resources can drastically improve lives.

Sustaining this transformation will require expanded partnerships, grant funding, dedicated project coordination, and continuous monitoring and evaluation. Plans include creating income-generating activities, setting up nutrition gardens, and using digital platforms for efficient mobilisation. A permanent project coordinator would further professionalise the work, allowing the initiative to secure funding, track progress, and scale support to more women and elderly residents.

The evidence of change is well-documented through pictures, news articles, recorded donations, school fees receipts, before-and-after images of the Old People’s Home, and stories shared through radio interviews and community platforms. Beneficiaries have also been linked to other development groups, including youth programmes, women’s organisations, and health outreach services, strengthening their confidence and skills.

Nomusa Sibanda’s journey shows how transformative leadership can emerge from within communities, driven by empathy, vision, and a refusal to accept the marginalisation of vulnerable groups. Her work has restored dignity, strengthened safety nets, and demonstrated that meaningful change begins with the willingness to act. Through her commitment, Gwanda is witnessing a renewed culture of care, solidarity, and gender-responsive development—one household, one elderly resident, and one young person at a time.