Zimbabwe: Rural leadership transformation sparks a new generation of girls in Marondera

In the deep rural communities of Marondera, leadership opportunities for girls have always been scarce and often inaccessible. Among 22 elected councillors, only two are women. Without the quota system, seven additional women, including Councillor Netsai Makamure, would never have been allowed into leadership spaces. This stark imbalance fuels Netsai’s unwavering commitment to transform the leadership landscape and close the gender gap from the grassroots up.

Netsai is not only a councillor; she is a gender champion, an education entrepreneur and a regional and continental advocate for gender equality. She serves as Vice Chairperson for the Gender Committee in Marondera Rural District Council and as Vice Chairperson for Women in Local Government in Mashonaland East Province. Her influence extends across borders through her role as National Secretary for Media and Communications under the Young Women of Africa (YWOA) platform.

Despite these leadership roles, she comes from a district where leadership development for girls was almost nonexistent. Girls lacked role models, practical encouragement and structured pathways to leadership. Netsai realised that if women were ever to achieve 50:50 gender parity, leadership nurturing must begin early, long before adulthood.

This vision guided her to mentor a young girl whose journey would inspire an entire community: Anotidaishe Tasarireona, a 15‑year‑old Form 2 student from Ward 19.

A Rising Leader Emerges

When Junior Council elections were introduced in 2025, Netsai actively encouraged school heads and Senior Ward Councillors to push girls forward. She recognised that many intelligent rural girls lacked confidence, not capacity. Among them was Anotidaishe, a bright but shy learner from a humble background who did not believe she belonged in leadership.

Netsai saw potential and dedicated herself to grooming her. She taught her public speaking, body language, confidence‑building, and how to communicate with purpose. She provided a safe space for practice, growth and encouragement.

The results were remarkable. At school level, Anotidaishe competed against two boys and won. At ward level, she competed against four boys and emerged victorious as the 2025 Junior Councillor for Ward 19.

Only a few months later, she contested for Junior Member of Parliament for Marondera East Constituency, this time against nine students from various schools, and again won resoundingly. She went on to be appointed Junior Minister of Industry and Commerce during the 33rd Session of the Junior Parliament of Zimbabwe.

Her journey from a shy rural girl to a confident young leader has transformed not only her life, but also the perception of girls’ leadership capacity within the entire district.

Impact on School, Community and Leadership Culture

The community has celebrated Anotidaishe’s ascent with pride. Her achievements have amplified the visibility of girls in leadership and have inspired many more to step forward. At her school, the impact has been tangible. As part of the national recognition for grooming Junior MPs, the school was awarded Starlink Internet Connectivity, a historic milestone that has broadened digital access for all learners, especially girls.

Anotidaishe’s personal rewards, including a Samsung digital notepad and a partial bursary have eased financial pressures on her family and equipped her for further academic and leadership growth.

The wider community has also embraced this change. Parents, teachers and young people now see girls’ leadership as not only possible, but powerful. Young girls look to Anotidaishe as a symbol of emerging female leadership in spaces where their presence was once unimaginable.

How Change Happened

The transformation was achieved through a blend of mentorship, intention and structured opportunities. Netsai’s strategy included:

• Mobilising school authorities to encourage girls to participate.
• Providing one‑on‑one leadership coaching for identified girls.
• Facilitating exposure to leadership platforms such as Junior Council and Junior Parliament.
• Supporting girls through every stage—campaigning, public speaking, and personal development.

By creating a supportive environment where young girls felt safe to explore leadership, Netsai dismantled internal barriers of fear and self‑doubt. She also challenged external cultural norms that traditionally limit girls’ visibility in public leadership.

Sustaining and Scaling Up Leadership for Girls

To ensure long‑term transformation, Netsai is committed to expanding mentorship programmes across schools in Marondera Rural District. She envisions:

• Continual leadership training and capacity‑building workshops.
• Creating local and international networking opportunities for young leaders.
• Encouraging community support through bursaries and resource mobilisation.
• Addressing systemic barriers such as discriminatory norms and lack of exposure.
• Strengthening technology access to widen learning opportunities.
• Promoting a culture where leadership is nurtured from primary school age.

Her long-term goal is to cultivate a pipeline of confident, capable girls who can fill leadership roles at district, provincial, national and continental levels.

Evidence of Change

The evidence of transformation is both visual and lived.

• Anotidaishe has interacted with top national leaders including the President, Vice Presidents and Cabinet Ministers.
• She attended the 33rd Session of Junior Parliament at the new Parliament Building, marking a historic moment in her life.
• Her improved confidence, communication skills and personal presentation reflect profound internal growth.
• The Starlink connectivity at her school stands as institutional evidence of girls’ leadership being recognised.
• Photos, videos and community testimonies confirm widespread support and excitement.
• Behavioural and academic improvements further demonstrate her transformation.

These outcomes show measurable, far‑reaching and lasting change ignited by a single mentorship journey.

Voices of Change

Investing in women is investing in the future of our nation. Let’s continue uplifting girl children as done for Anotidaishe — Mr. Gundo, MRDC CEO

Empowering women is not just a moral imperative but an economic necessity — Hon. M.P. Mutokonyi, Marondera East Constituency

A woman should be her own liberator, for she is the pillar of her family — Richmond Chikowore (Husband and Director, RINE International School)

By: Councillor Netsai Makamure