She is a mother of eight, a grandmother, human rights activist, teacher, preacher, pastor’s wife and the only surviving founding member of Rukwadzano RweWadzimai, the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area’s women’s organization.
Now, 104-year-old Martha Mudzengerere can add author to that list.
Mudzengerere launched her debut book, “Old Time Religion,” at a colourful ceremony recently, attended by United Methodist church leaders, friends and relatives.
“When I was told of this launch,” Mudzengerere said, “I was gripped with fear and excitement. I started shivering and broke into tears. I never expected people to be interested in reading my book.”
She was motivated to write the book after realizing that there was very little United Methodist history documented in her church.
“A lot of information is getting lost or people are dying without documenting it. With my age now 104, I have witnessed a lot, which should not go to graves.”
The Rev. Alan Masimba Gurupira, administrative assistant to Bishop Eben K. Nhiwatiwa, who presided over the launch, said the book is an important tool for church members.
“Our faith is strengthened as we operate from our roots, enabling members to realize the future with hope,” he said.
Mudzengerere has been inspiring young women with her passion for activism. As a young woman in the colonial era, she fought for the rights of women and children.
“My achievement in education did not come on a silver platter. I fought my way out with the help of my mother, hence the need to do for others,” she said.
In 1968, she said, she wrote the Ministry of Education on behalf of the African Women Fellowship of the Rhodesia Conference of the Methodist Church, expressing great concern for the inadequate education opportunities for African children.
“Children who completed Grade 7 were unable to continue their education. These children were too young to seek employment and desperately needed to be in school. We wanted equal opportunity for Rhodesian Africans and Rhodesian Europeans,” she said.
She also fought against the rising prices of basic necessities and the division of power in the country.
“I wanted blacks to occupy senior positions in government because the country belonged to us, not colonial masters,” she said.
Mudzengerere was among the founding members of the popular women’s group Rukwadzano RweWadzimai, which was established in 1938 under the leadership of Mbuya Lydia Chimonyo. She also helped develop the group’s mountain prayer shrine and assisted in designing the organization’s uniform — the women are known for their signature blue dresses with red collars and white headdresses.
The women’s organization now has more than 20,000 members. Mudzengerere served as conference chairperson for 10 years and was an adviser after that. Her role with the organization allowed her to travel to different countries, said Evamae Katedza, Zimbabwe East Conference adviser.
“Granny Mudzengerere’s leadership in church has been superb. She stood for the voiceless in the church and society,” said Katedza.
Zimbabwe East Conference Board of Discipleship chairperson, the Rev. Gift Kudakwashe Machinga, expressed joy on Mudzengerere’s achievement as author.