Zimbabwe: A visionary leader poised to bring outright development.

Councilor Busisiwe Mpofu Brown is the elected councilor for Ward 6 in Umguza District, Matabeleland North. When she came into office, the community was struggling with severe water shortages, poor health services, unemployment, and limited opportunities for women and youth. Women in rural areas walked long distances to fetch water, girls missed school due to lack of sanitary pads, and many families lived without access to health information or support. 

She believed from the start that real leadership means serving people directly and empowering them to stand on their own. Her vision was to transform Ward 6 into an agricultural, healthy, and empowered hub where everyone especially women and youth can thrive. In her campaigning journey to become a councilor Busisiwe was pushed by desire to address the following lack of structured health programs, very few empowerment initiatives, and little community unity. She began by identifying critical needs which were limited access to water, minimum health awareness, no economic empowerment women, and none youth engagement. 

Through collaboration with residents, traditional leaders, and private partners, she helped bring tangible and lasting change. Her leadership style is rooted in community ownership were every project belongs to the people, not to her. Together, they turned challenges into opportunities, building a stronger and more united Ward 6. The changes have been remarkable were several boreholes now provide clean and reliable water, greatly reducing the burden on women and children. The increased water points strategically located enabled families to establish thriving community gardens where vegetables are grown for household use and for sale. 

As one resident, Mrs. Ncube, shared, “We used to walk long distances for water, but now clean water is just near our homes, the Councilor listens and acts.” Access to health services also improved through free community Health Expos, where residents received screening for diabetes, blood pressure, and other conditions. The councilor mobilized for donations of essential medicines from healthcare partners which benefited hundreds of people as captured in photographs and records.

 During International Menstrual Hygiene Month in May, girls and young women received sanitary pads, and this initiative inspired the creation of the Women’s Club, which now makes reusable sanitary pads and trains other women. “Cllr Brown gave us confidence. We now make our own reusable pads and teach other women. She has changed our lives,” said Miss Moyo from the club. 

In October, the ward held its first Breast Cancer Awareness March, which brought together residents, local leaders, and health workers to spread messages of early detection and self-examination. The event strengthened unity and encouraged women to priorities their health. 

Youth were also mobilized through farming projects, clean-up campaigns, cultural events, and sports activities. “She showed us that development starts with us, we are now involved in farming and clean-up campaigns instead of idleness,” said Mr. Sibanda, a youth representative. Through these activities, the ward shifted from inactivity to vibrant participation and community pride. 

The transformation was achieved through hard work, listening, and forming partnerships. The drilling of boreholes was made possible through private supporters. Farmers were trained to grow cabbages, tomatoes, and other crops, supporting the dream of turning Ward 6 into an agricultural hub. Health professionals came together to offer free services, while the reusable pads and women’s Club emerged from listening to girls’ struggles in schools. 

In order to sustain this progress, each project has a community committee responsible for management and continuity. The establishment of borehole committees to safeguard water points, while the women’s club continues producing pads and training, ensures continuity. This had resulted in health expos to extend to more villages. The youth are being trained in agriculture leadership and mentorship. The councilor had engaged and engineered sustainable partnerships with NGOs, businesses, and government structures will help scale up the work. The unity among men, women, and youth is the foundation that will keep this change growing long into the future. 

The evidence of progress is visible throughout Ward 6 were non-functional boreholes were rehabilitated and flashed to supply clean water daily. There are more than 20 vibrant gardens with thriving crop that have improved nutrition and incomes for families. The introduction of health Expos have assisted in the screening of hundreds of beneficiaries. Over 4000 girls and young women had received menstrual hygiene resources which uplifted girls and empowered women. Whilst the breast cancer awareness March drew participants from all corners of the ward.  

Councilor Brown mobilized local women during International Menstrual Hygiene and Empowerment Day where residents and the councilor participated in community clean-up campaign. Lastly, through dedication, community involvement, and compassionate leadership, Councilor Busisiwe Mpofu Brown has helped shape Ward 6 into a place of dignity, unity, empowerment, and hope. 

By Busisiwe Mpofu Brown, Zimbabwe