FAITH NDOU
MASVINGO-For more than a decade, Takudzwa Kombora has walked the corridors of Zimbabwe’s HIV and AIDS response, working behind the scenes to strengthen programmes, empower communities and ensure that people affected by HIV receive the support they need.
Now, his journey has brought him to Masvingo, where he takes on a new challenge as the substantive National AIDS Council (NAC) provincial manager, carrying the responsibility of steering the province’s HIV response into the future.
Kombora’s appointment comes after the passing of former NAC Masvingo Provincial head Agrippa Zizhou in June 2025, whose work left a lasting mark in the province’s fight against HIV and AIDS.
Taking over the reins, Kombora arrives with a wealth of experience gathered from years of working directly with communities and leading key HIV programmes at both district and national level.
His story with NAC began in 2010 when he joined the organisation as a District AIDS Coordinator in Gokwe North, Midlands Province. It was there that he gained first hand experience of the realities facing communities and the importance of taking services closer to the people.
His career later took him to Kwekwe and Chikomba districts before he moved to the NAC head office where he served as national coordinator for the Meaningful Involvement of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) from 2022 until his appointment to Masvingo.
For Kombora, his work has always been driven by a desire to contribute to a cause that affects society as a whole.
“HIV has affected us all and we all have a duty to play our part in mitigating its impact while ensuring healthy lives for all,” he said.
Beyond his professional experience, Kombora’s academic journey has equipped him with a deeper understanding of social development and community dynamics.
He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology from the University of Zimbabwe, a Master of Arts in Development Studies from Midlands State University and a Diploma in Personnel Management from the Institute of People Management Zimbabwe (IPMZ).
As he begins his new assignment in Masvingo, Kombora’s vision is centred on strengthening partnerships, improving service delivery and ensuring that no one is left behind in accessing HIV prevention, treatment and support services.
His immediate priorities include maintaining uninterrupted access to HIV treatment, promoting accountability in the use of resources and supporting interventions that create meaningful change in communities.
However, he enters the role at a time when the HIV response is facing changing dynamics including reduced funding, the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases and the growing challenge of drug and substance abuse.
“These challenges require integrated, innovative and multisectoral solutions,” Kombora said.
He believes that communities must remain at the heart of all HIV programmes, arguing that local people are key partners in identifying challenges and creating sustainable solutions.
Kombora plans to strengthen cooperation between government departments, civil society organisations, development partners and communities through improved planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes.
For him, successful interventions begin with listening to the people they are designed to serve.
“We are here to serve the community. Without the community, there are no interventions. Communities help identify challenges and propose solutions, allowing us to tailor our responses to their unique circumstances,” he said.
As Zimbabwe continues working towards ending AIDS as a public health threat, Kombora views the AIDS Levy as an important pillar that must continue supporting vulnerable communities and sustaining critical programmes.
“The AIDS Levy should continue prioritising the most vulnerable and marginalised, ensuring that no one who requires treatment is left behind while also investing in prevention programmes that help keep HIV-negative people free from infection,” he said.
With a career built around service, advocacy and community engagement, Kombora’s arrival in Masvingo represents more than a change in leadership, it signals a renewed commitment to ensuring that the fight against HIV remains focused, inclusive and driven by the needs of the people.
