Zimbabwe: Championing dignity for the marginalised in Bulawayo
Councillor Agnes Munsaka is one of the few female councillors among the 38 serving the City of Bulawayo. Born and raised in Bulawayo, she carries a deep sense of responsibility for the city and its people. As a Proportional Representative Councillor for Ward 5, her work has expanded far beyond her ward, reaching care homes, orphanages, schools, the elderly, persons with Disabilities, vulnerable youths, and women across Bulawayo. Her journey is rooted in compassion and a refusal to ignore the suffering she witnesses. Agnes was excited when Gender Links Zimbabwe held an induction workshop for newly elected councillors that provided her with a platform to seriously engage and boost her confidence by tackling local governance challenges and fostering recommendations and solutions.
She recalls the moment that sparked her mission: “I realised that those living in old people’s homes and care institutions were far less privileged than anyone wanted to admit, they were in dire need of basic needs as they were hungry, underfunded, and forgotten.” Visits to several care homes revealed the same pattern of hardship i.e hunger, shortage of clothing, lack of toiletries, limited medication, and almost no consistent support. This inspired her to initiate a citywide needs assessment covering care homes, orphanages, primary schools, and communities including Ward 7 in Makokoba an old surburb. The assessment confirmed that basic needs were going unmet, and many vulnerable people were living in silent desperation.
Determined to respond, Councillor Munsaka launched a donation driven initiative to support the elderly, orphans, Persons with Disabilities, and vulnerable youths and women. She mobilised well-wishers, local businesses, churches, and ordinary community members to donate groceries, cash, clothing, and other essentials. She also led door to door campaigns and community dialogues to identify needs and restore the connection between residents and their leaders. Her efforts have brought meaningful change across the city where two hundred orphans at Rio in Waterford received groceries. In Ward 7 Makokoba, 30(2 persons with disabilities, 7 youths, and 21 elderly women) beneficiaries received mealie-meal. The vulnerable communities are continually receiving support courtesy of initiative from councillor Munsaka. The following institutions Rangemore Primary School, an orphanage in Pumula South housing and those living with a disability received 90 *50kgs bags of mealie-meal and $150. Living conditions in these institutions have improved, with residents now accessing food, clothing, and even medical support which had restored their dignity, comfort, and hope across Bulawayo.
This transformation was achieved through persistent community mobilisation. Donations were gathered from individuals and businesses across the city. Needs assessments guided interventions, and follow-up visits ensured accountability. “No one used to recognise the depth of need in these homes until I stood up and began this initiative, we are seeing real change were food is now available, there is improved hygiene, and people are getting medical help.” Explained Agnes
To ensure that the change continues, Councillor Munsaka is building long-term partnerships with businesses, churches, and NGOs. At the core of her interventions transparency and accountability guides her work, with clear records showing the distribution of donations. She is also involving beneficiaries in planning to increase ownership and accountability. She also aims to introduce income-generating projects such as skills training and small business initiatives.
The evidence of change is visible and documented through photographs of donated groceries, blankets, clothing, and hygiene products delivered to homes across Bulawayo. Testimonials, videos, reports, and statistics confirm that the project has improved nutrition, hygiene, and well-being for hundreds of beneficiaries. Care homes now have more stable access to food and basic necessities, and many residents express renewed hope. Pastor Marara from a local church had his to say, “The donation will go a long way in improving the well-being of mental health of vulnerable community members.” In addition, Mr. Goremucheche from the Jairos Jiri Association expressed his gratitude on behalf of the Jairos Jiri staff, on the timely donations and support they received from the councillor.
Through all this, Councillor Agnes Munsaka demonstrates that leadership rooted in compassion can restore dignity, uplift the marginalised, and transform lives. Hundreds of vulnerable residents across Bulawayo have found relief and renewed hope because she chose to act and her work continues to speak for itself.
By: Agnes Munsaka