Councillor Buhle Sibanda sheds light on the difficulties faced by women councillors in rural areas
Written By Loraine Phiri
Mangwe, Ward 8 Councillor Buhle Sibanda has spoken out about the challenges faced by women councillors in rural areas highlighting both the dangers of traveling long distances on foot, navigating unsafe areas, and the lack of support for councillors working outside urban areas. These dangers are amplified by the presence of artisanal miners, some of whom have been linked to violent crimes.
“My biggest challenge as a woman councillor especially in rural areas is the environment we work under. I live 16km from the ward centre where most activities are done. So I have to travel to the centre on foot and pass through dangerous bushy areas most of the time alone.
“Our area has artisanal miners, some of whom are criminals,” she explains. “There have been recent reports of a serial rapist targeting women alone in these areas.”
The lack of transportation adds another layer of difficulty. Sibanda has to resort to seeking accommodation from villagers due to a lack of official support. She emphasizes the need for government support, particularly in the form of motorbikes for safe and efficient travel.
“Currently, my imminent task is to welcome a team from Bulawayo for a three-day broom-making training at the ward centre,” Sibanda explains. “With no official vehicle, I have to rely on villagers for accommodation to stay near the centre. The government’s silence on our welfare is concerning. At least it could be better if the government considers giving us some motorbikes or a considerable amount, we can use to hire at least people to ferry us on our day-to-day activities as rural councillors,” she said.
Despite the difficulties, Sibanda ‘s dedication to her community is unwavering. She describes the councillor role as “a furnace of character building.” She sometimes has to bear with criticism from community members who expect action which sometimes is beyond her jurisdiction and power.
“I have learned to be a good listener,” she says. “To analyse responses before I respond. I have learned to continue being as transparent as possible no matter what. To move around my ward to connect with people and hear their challenges and help find solutions”
“The lessons on self-mastery, vision boards, and introspection from WILD have been instrumental,” she shares. “These skills allow me to prioritize the needs of the community and act with transparency and guided by my vision board.”
Undeterred by hardships, Sibanda has initiated a recycling program in her ward, with broom-making training just the first step. “We will move on to pot-making, cobra, and paraffin making,” she outlines, “all while utilizing local resources.” She emphasizes self-reliance, encouraging women to “move away from a reliance on handouts” and embrace empowerment through these projects.
Highlighting various upcoming projects, she mentioned, “The construction of a police base closer to the village, a loading ramp for cattle buyers from Bulawayo, and the establishment of a veterinary station to house the vet and agritex officers are all on the pipeline in my ward. These projects, while daunting in terms of funding, I believe God will meet us at a point of our need. Also, with the help of villagers and supportive NGOs such as Dreams World Vision and Red Cross, I have hope they will come to fruition.”
Outlining her community engagement efforts Cllr Sibanda said: “I work with local leaders, hold meetings, utilize a WhatsApp group, and engage in one-on-one interactions with villagers to reach out to the community.”
Councillor Sibanda is a testament to resilience and a beacon of hope for her community. Her story sheds light on the challenges faced by rural female leaders and the urgent need for better support systems.