Zimbabwe: The Leadership Journey of Councillor Makota and the Transformation of Her Community

Councillor Denicah Makota noted that for many years, women and girls in her community lived under the burden of deep-rooted gender inequalities. She observed that gender-based violence, limited educational opportunities, stereotyping, and exclusion from leadership spaces had held back generations of women and girls. Many women suffered emotionally, physically, and sexually, yet remained silent due to stigma and fear. Girls dropped out of school early, limiting their chances of employment and widening the gap between men and women. Women who attempted to take leadership roles were given demeaning names, especially single women who were accused of immorality or trying to disrupt families.

 Poverty was overwhelmingly feminized, with men owning land, businesses, and properties, while women struggled to survive with little or no assets. The councillor recounts her relationship with Gender Links Zimbabwe dates back to 2014 were workshops on gender mainstreaming were organised and done. She participated in the Zimbabwe 2024 SADC Protocol@work and awards and tested the sweetness of inclusive participation and collaboration. Determined to change this reality, Councillor Makota worked with stakeholders to initiate practical, community-driven solutions. She organized the formation of Village Business Units (VBU’s) to help women work collectively, earn income, and secure food for their families. 

The councilor with resolve introduced the access to finance through Internal Savings and Lending (ISAL) groups to allow women to borrow money, pay school fees, invest in small businesses, and improve their livelihoods. She spearheaded for that trainings on smart agriculture which helped households adopt to climate-friendly techniques that reduced expenses and improved food production. Denicah pushed the awareness campaigns agenda including the 50/50 movement, the 16 Days of Activism, disability commemorations, community meetings, village assemblies, and budget consultations that gave communities knowledge, voice, and confidence. 

The change became visible across Zvimba. As noted by Daina Mushayavanhu, “A woman with a voice is a woman who can make a difference,” The transformation ensued when women began taking leadership roles in schools, water point committees, and council structures water committees that used to exclude women were now majority female, with five women out of seven members. This trend of inclusive participation spilled in council committees were gender balance became a norm entailing that if the chairperson was male, the vice was female, and vice versa. 

Economic empowerment strengthened families. Access to finance through ISALs, have brought financial independence to start some income generating projects and reinvest to grow their small businesses. As evidence of economic empowerment parents are now able to support their children whose health improved. Village Business Units are catalysts of economic empowerment which provides all year-round gardening and households are having unhindered supply to vegetables and other crops thereby boosting in both nutrition and income. Smart agriculture techniques encouraged the planting of small grains that were cheaper to grow and more profitable on the market. 

Women’s confidence soared had increased as they can address meetings and gathering which was previously unthinkable. Women are able to start and run lucrative enterprises and keep financial records, calculate profits and loss from their projects. Sheily Mereki, a chairperson of a cattle project, had this to say: “Women are the real architects of society.” Communities are actively participating in council meetings, contributing ideas that strengthened local development. 

There is massive evidence of infrastructure and institutional improvements in Zvimba as depicted by the new Zvimba Police Station in Murombedzi Growth Point. The cattle handover in Ward 5 Kagungwa Village showed a clear development of economic progress and asset creation. Community led access to finance through ISALs and VBUs have created a strong foundation for sustainability. Members mostly women have adopted a culture of saving, improved financial literacy, and gained confidence in managing their money. 

These interactions and togetherness had improved the social cohesion promoting women and collective community initiatives. Councillor Makota advocated and pushed council to craft a budget that is gender sensitive to further strengthen development programs. The afforestation drive targeting 250,000 trees annually from 2025 to 2030 reflected long-term commitment to environmental and community resilience. Sustained GBV campaigns, supported by dedicated funding and plans to erect awareness billboards, ensured continued momentum. 

Today, the situation in Zvimba has remarkably improved with women who were once silenced now speak boldly. Girls stay in school. Smart agriculture and savings groups have lifted households from poverty. Information flows more easily through social media, keeping communities informed and engaged. Families enjoy better nutrition, livelihoods have improved, and community members participate actively in development initiatives. 

During a GBV campaign at Kawondera Secondary School, Remember Shumba captured the spirit of this transformation when he said: “The question is not who is going to let me, but who is going to stop me.” This newfound confidence and resilience reflect a community that has chosen progress over silence, unity over discrimination, and empowerment over fear. The story of Councillor Denicah Makota and her community is a powerful reminder that when women rise, the entire community rises with them. This transformation did not happen by chance it grew from leadership, collaboration, and a shared belief that dignity, equality, and opportunity belong to everyone. 

By Denicah Makota, Zimbabwe