Wezhira Munya
Honourable Monica Mukwada traveled from Mutare to Masvingo Province to participate in two significant engagements focused on uplifting the lives of marginalized women within the opposition in Gutu East and Masvingo Urban constituencies.
During these events, women from Gutu East and Masvingo Urban received food hampers containing essential items, including boxes of cooking oil, cartons of sugar, salt, bathing and washing soap, surf, flour, and rice, among others. This initiative aims to provide much-needed support to families facing food insecurity.
On 30th November 2025, Honourable Mukwada joined prominent opposition figures, including Senator Godfrey Madzikanda, in Gutu East for the distribution of food hampers. A total of 89 women benefited from the program in Gutu East, with plans to expand assistance to 200 women in the near future.
Mrs. Madzikanda wife to Senator Madzikanda expressed her gratitude, stating, “We are thrilled that this program has been successful, providing us with food hampers that will sustain our families for an extended period.”
In her remarks at the Gutu East distribution event, Honourable Mukwada encouraged women to engage in self-empowerment projects to support their families. She emphasized the importance of solidarity and resilience among women in the face of challenges.
Additionally, Mrs. Getlude Dhobha from Gutu constituency commended the local women for leading self-funded initiatives aimed at alleviating poverty. She highlighted the critical role community-driven projects play in fostering empowerment and resilience.
The initiative is particularly significant given the challenges faced by opposition members, including Zanu-PF’s discriminatory practices that have hindered access to government assistance such as food and farming equipment.
The food hampers were mobilized through the “mukando” initiative under the leadership of Mrs. Sekwidzai Shayamano (née Mrs. Vembo). Honourable Mukwada, Senator Madzikanda, and other leaders also contributed funds to assist in the purchase of these food hampers.
In Masvingo Urban, on 10th December 2025, Honourable Mukwada served as a guest speaker in Ward 5, where women distributed food hampers. She also provided financial assistance to support this initiative. In Masvingo Urban, 156 women benefited from the program, with an ambitious goal to assist 400 women next year.
During her address in Masvingo Urban, Honourable Mukwada highlighted the various challenges that women in Zimbabwe face, including poverty, high unemployment rates, and the escalating cost of living. Her sentiments were echoed by Chivi North MP Mrs. Rutendo Kuuya, who participated in the meeting and remarked, “As women, we are struggling with poverty and finding it difficult to feed our families. Therefore, we are now committed to pooling our resources to purchase groceries in bulk and share them among ourselves.”
Likewise, Ms. Kumbirai Zingwanda from Chivi South expressed her gratitude to all women for their relentless efforts in combating poverty through hard work and collaboration.
The women of Zimbabwe are increasingly adopting various savings strategies to purchase food, furniture, and other necessities, aiming to lift themselves out of the poverty induced by the Zanu-PF regime.
