Perpetua Murungweni
The August 23 2023 election witnessed an increase in the number of women elected into councils in Masvingo Province from 23 in 2018 to 28.
A total of 28 women out of 242 seats were voted into rural and urban councils across Masvingo in the just-ended harmonized elections, an increase of 5 women from the 2018 elections.
Bikita Rural District Council (RDC) has five female councilors all from Zanu PF namely Emily Gatawa (Ward 1), Mary Mukweya (ward 3), Rhodhah Makazha (ward 27) all in Bikita South and Gladys Mutsvutsvuru (Ward16), Winfilda Nedombwe (ward 25) in Bikita East.
Chiredzi and Chivi Districts have one female councilor each namely Nomusa Gumbo of ward 16 in Chiredzi West and Chipo Makurunje who was re-elected for Chivi Central ward 2 both from Zanu PF.
Nine women from Zanu PF made it to council in Gutu District namely Theresa Dewah (ward 12), Jane Cheuke ward 15, Annamaria Zivai ward 36, Ndinatse Madzadzure 39, Martha Mukupe ward 18, Alphonncia, ward 19, Cecilia Esnat Mukarati ward 27, Ephania Makanga ward 21 and Elizabeth Ntandambani ward 22
In Masvingo City two women all from main opposition CCC namely Sabina Chikwangwani and Shantiel Chiwara were elected for wards 1 and 2 respectively.
Masvingo RDC has seven women; Scholastica Njaravani (CCC) ward 7, Junior Charumbira (Zanu PF) in ward 10 and Chiedza Makoti (CCC) in ward 11.
Sarah Munemo was elected in ward 13, while Virginia Hwenha was elected in ward 19, Sungano Matakanure retained her seat in ward 31 and Annah Stambuli (Independent) won in ward 35.
In Zaka district, three councilors from Zanu PF namely Sarah Mamvura, ward 1, Ellar Marodze ward 10 and Judith Chipote ward 21 returned to council having been councilors in the previous term.
Of the 28, 23 are from Zanu-PF, four are from Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) and one is independent.
