Zimbabwe: Guiding the Next Generation: One Woman’s Mission to Transform Umguza’s Youth

In Umguza Rural District Council in Matabeleland North, a powerful transformation is taking place driven by the commitment and leadership of Proportional Representative Councillor Sthatshisiwe Kamusvoko. As Junior Council Mentor for all 19 wards, she has become a pivotal force in steering young people away from harmful behaviours and toward leadership, discipline, and purpose. 

Her work is shaped not only by experience, but by deep empathy. Having spent years working with youth in churches, she understands their struggles, hopes, and vulnerabilities. This connection allows her to guide them with sensitivity and cultural awareness. She blends mentorship with creativity using sports, arts, technology, and dialogue to keep youth engaged while addressing issues such as drug abuse, child marriages, and deteriorating social values. She also strengthens partnerships with schools, civic groups, and local organisations to ensure young people receive holistic support.  

The turning point for Umguza’s Junior Councillors came when four of them travelled to Busan, South Korea, for the International Youth Forum (IYF) a global gathering that exposed them to mind-set training and multicultural teamwork. For many, it was the first time they saw themselves as leaders with limitless potential. The training broadened their perspective, showing them that with discipline and vision, they could overcome obstacles that once felt overwhelming. 

On their return, the shift in attitude was unmistakable. Junior Councillors began demonstrating new levels of confidence, initiative, and civic responsibility. They organised clean-ups, visited schools, led awareness campaigns, and participated actively in community meetings. Their peers and teachers noticed the transformation almost immediately. As one student leader, Palesa Ndiweni, explained, “we have learned teamwork, leadership, and how to represent our peers effectively.” 

Another Junior Councillor, Ryan Ncube, echoed the same sentiment, saying, “Our mentor has shown us that young people can lead and make meaningful contributions in our schools and communities.” Their renewed sense of purpose soon inspired more youth to join awareness campaigns on climate change, gender equality, and drug and substance abuse issues previously seen as too complex or ‘adult’ for them to engage with. 

For many Junior Councillors, the mentorship provided a structure they had never experienced before. Through consistent guidance, activity planning, and public engagement, they learned discipline and accountability qualities that have begun to reshape school and community environments. “Gained sense of accountability and civic responsibility,” noted another participant, Nomachacho Ndebele, summarising what many of her peers now feel. 

The community has taken notice. Schools report improved discipline and responsibility among Junior Councillors. Council officials acknowledge that the youth now speak boldly and contribute meaningfully in stakeholder meetings. Attendance registers, mentorship reports, and minutes from activity planning sessions all point to increased participation. The visibility of youth-led initiatives shared across community events and social media provides further evidence of their growing leadership. 

Much of this progress traces back to the structure and consistency of Sthatshisiwe’s mentorship. Before the program, many Junior Councillors were shy, uncertain, or unaware of their roles. Today, they speak confidently at district platforms, lead outreach programs, and mobilise their peers. The link between youth and decision-makers has strengthened, ensuring that young voices are not only heard but valued. 

Sustainability is central to her approach. Junior Councillors mentor their successors, ensuring that leadership and skills transfer across generations. Plans are already underway to extend the mentorship model to more wards and schools across Umguza. Partnerships with the District Development Coordinator’s Office, Umguza RDC, and various community organisations are solidifying the program’s long-term support. By embedding youth participation into council planning processes, Sthatshisiwe is ensuring that young leaders remain an integral part of community development. 

Her work is creating a generation of young people who understand their roles as citizens confident enough to speak, bold enough to lead, and responsible enough to protect their communities. The transformation in Umguza is proof that when young leaders are nurtured, supported, and believed in, they can rise far beyond their circumstances and become the driving force behind sustainable social change. 

By: Sithatshisiwe Kamusvoko