DUMISANI CHAUKE
ZAKA-Driven by a strong desire to empower the girl child and change women’s live, Sarah Mamvura (42) has made a break through in the male dominated political minefield as one of the seven female councillors for Zaka.
Zaka Rural District Council has 34 councillors and 27 of them are male.
“It’s not always the case for men to prioritize women’s needs, women’s needs are mostly considered of less importance in male dominated communities. Because it is considered a woman’s duty to fetch water for domestic use therefore it is only a woman leader who can prioritize the sinking of boreholes in rural communities to ease the burden on fellow women,” said Mamvura with confidence.
Mamvura who has been councillor for ward 2 since 2013 also took time to narrate what she has achieved so far which include repairing of boreholes in Mugudubi, Muchembere and Dembedza villages in her ward, establishment of a community hall at Bvukururu Business Centre, the construction of a three roomed house for Agriculture Extension staff in her area and construction of Gondo Primary ECD block.
Mamvura who is aspiring for the same position in the upcoming 2023 harmonized elections also seeks to complement Government efforts in implementation of various women empowerment programmes in her ward and Zaka District at large.
“Given another chance, I look forward to helping women start baking projects, chicken rearing projects among others. As women we need to empower each other economically to fight domestic violence. It is my wish to see my fellow women prospering and becoming financially independent,” she said.
Despite the establishment of different instruments to do away with patriarchy, for example, the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development which encourages member states to ensure equal representation of women in decision-making positions like in politics, public and private sectors, Zimbabwean women still encounter serious barriers in running for political offices or influential positions in society.
Mamvura stressed that the only reason she has managed to stay in politics for that long is because most of the voters in her ward are women and they usually rally behind her during election time although most men still find it difficult to accept a woman as their leader.
“Being a woman leader is difficult, one need to be prepared to challenge every obstacle that threatens their political progression.
“Most men in my area find it offensive to be led by a woman saying that women are not meant to hold leadership positions, their duties are in the kitchen and taking care of the children,” she said.
Mamvura also cited lack of resources as one of the hurdles which she faces in order to fully execute her duties as a councillor.
“The voters want to see what you have as an individual and what you can give them to have confidence in you. Men have assets and I don’t. So, it’s difficult especially if you have to move from place to place using public transport or on foot campaigning in the rural areas where the wards are so vast.
“Many people envy the developmental projects I have spearheaded since becoming a councillor and have been urging me to go a step further and become the Member of Parliament (MP), and I have been telling them that I do not have the resources to go for that position.
“I am struggling at the ward level what more if I want to campaign for a bigger position of being an MP,” said the exuberant local authority leader.
