Hon. Sikhuphulile Dube
Raised with a single parent and becoming a single mother herself did not erase her dream. Through active citizen participation in civic matters and mentorship in leadership, she is now a parliamentarian.
Bulawayo – After years following the national discourse and feeling to give a hand in matters affecting her community and national development Sikhuphulile Dube joined active politics in 2008. She was 18 years. It was not an easy decision especially joining the main opposition party then, Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
MDC was led by the late Morgan Tsvangirai, a popular figure in Zimbabwe’s political history who had a stint in the government as a Prime Minister from 2009-2013.
The year Dube joined politics is one of the bloodiest years in the Zimbabwean history. For the first time since independence ZANU-PF conceded defeat to the opposition but denied with state power resulting in an election re-run.
According to the UN Refugee Agency, from March 2008 more than 5,000 were victims of violence, at least 36,000 displaced, of which 17,000 were verified by the International Organisation for Migration and 190 politically motivated deaths were verified targeting members of the Movement for Democratic Change, Civic Society Organisations and ordinary people.
The terror and state sanctioned violence saw Morgan Tsvangirai withdrawing from the electoral race in June, weeks before the polling day. In a one-man race Robert Mugabe who had 43% of vote on 27 March emerged the winner with 90% this time around. An election with was shamed by the international community.
Raised by a single parent Dube now 34 years found strength in the political situation and an urge to save her people. In 2010 she was voted the branch secretary. A year later she became ward secretary for elections in December 2011 to March 2014. Serving the party with purpose she was appointed as Bulawayo Provincial Secretary for Gender in 2014 to 2019. At the 2019 Elective Congress Dube became the national executive member for the youth assembly.
“In 2022 we pushed for youth voter registration and all citizens that wished to register to vote for the 2023 general elections. I prioritised educating the youths of Bulawayo and Matabeleland about electoral processes. Enlightening them that it is their constitutional right to vote or be voted into office,” said Dube.
Not all youths would support the idea, voter apathy gripped most of them and did not want to participate.
“They said it doesn’t bring change, so it’s no use participating in the elections,” added Dube.
Faced with resistance, Dube discovered also that those who were interested, some had no documents needed for one to register as a voter. After partnering with other organisations, she assisted them to get identity documents.
“The journey was a little bit rocky. At some point we would be followed by the youths from the ruling party, they tried to stop the program but we remained focused,” Dube recalled.
With a resolve for inclusive youths participation in electoral processes she engaged all community stakeholders which saw youths from the ruling party re-considering their initial position and partnering in the project.
Under the banner of Citizen Coalition for Change (CCC) Dube’s face was not part of the August 2023 ballot. Months later she was appointed into Parliament as the Bulawayo Youth Quota Member of Parliament, she replaced a member who had been recalled by the party.
Zimbabwe’s Constitution through Amendment No.2 Section 124 provides for 10 parliament seats for youth under the proportional representation system. In the maiden cohort of youth parliamentarians, seven are from ZANU PF, and three from the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC)
“As a young person I would like to represent the youths and implement youth policies. Ensuring that the Youth Bill is implemented,” said Dube, “Also striving to be a young person with focus and impact in the role that I have so that more youths will be motivated to take up leadership roles in their spaces.”
Dube is grateful to Shalestone, a South African based Elections and Governance Consultants company that offers a wealth of experience in the elections and governance sector on the African Continent. The company trained youths in Zimbabwe towards elections. She said it helped her in shaping her vison and prepare her for leadership.
“It made me understand electoral processes and leadership. It was easy for me to face the barriers as a young person and as a young woman in politics. But I was equipped on how to be an impactful and become an inspirational leader. The modules we did elaborated on the importance of participating in the electoral processes.”
After attending the first workshop with Shalestone, Dube initiated capacitating workshops in her political party and home community. This culminated to more visibility programs.
“We hosted soccer tourneys and other youth activities. We would partner with Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to attend the tournament and register the youths. I was then selected into Parliament as they referred to the programs I did for the party and for the community,” said Dube.
A young single mother who has managed to reach her goal of representing the youths and women in parliament. With her new responsibility Dube said it is possible for the young women not only to be in parliament but to lead the nation.
“Women must take the leadership roles and lead with dignity. Youths must be focused and bring the change that we want in our spaces. It is time for new faces, new ideas and new vision,” said Dube.
