Seventy-six-year-old Ester Ngulube was a member of Women of Zimbabwe Arise and was involved in the war of liberation that brought independence prior to 1980.
The co-founder and national coordinator of WOZA, Jenni Williams, said Ngulube’s contribution to the fight for social justice in Zimbabwe made her a heroine who deserved recognition.
“She was involved in the 440km walk to Harare against the proposed non-governmental bill in 2004,” said Williams.
The bill sought to repeal the Private Voluntary Organisations Act and establish a new non-governmental organisations Act.
“Ngulube was arrested over 10 times in the course of peaceful protests but she remained part of the struggle and for that she deserves to be recognised.”
Zimbabwe celebrates Heroes Day on August 11. However, questions have been raised over the eligibility of some of the people who have been accorded the national status, with the two MDC parties accusing Zanu (PF) of turning the Heroes Acre into a shrine for its party members.
The majority of women who have been conferred national heroine status were spouses of liberation war leaders.
Sally Mugabe, wife of President Robert Mugabe, Johanna Nkomo, wife of the late Vice President Joshua Nkomo, Julia Zvobgo, wife of the late Edison Zvobgo and Sunny Ntombiyelanga Takawira, wife of the late Zanu vice president Leopold Takawira are among those given the status.
Director of Female Students Network, Evernice Munando, said a hero is someone who advocates for the rights of others.
“She is a woman who can make a difference in her community and at a national level. This individual is a person who actively engages in national processes for the development of others, especially the marginalised,” said Munando.
Munando singled out Zimbabwe’s Vice President, Joice Mujuru, as an example.
“She represents women across the divide and has been advocating for a gender-just society since time immemorial. She is a pioneer of a lot of economic empowerment programmes, through the introduction of several income generating projects,” said Munando.
Yearly, WOZA celebrates the courage of ordinary people. The commemoration is often done in secret due to the country’s Public Order and Security Act, which restricts people from gathering without permission from authorities.
Williams said her organisation would not hold a commemoration this year due to the prevailing political environment.
“The security environment is too tense and we are not going to celebrate this year,” she said.
WOZA is a social justice movement for human rights defenders whose name is a Ndebele word meaning ‘come forward’. Established in 2003, the organisation has a membership of over 75,000 women and men providing them with a united voice to stand up for their rights and freedoms.
Post published in: News