Famous Zimbabwean Women

Auxillia Mnangagwa is a Zimbabwean politician best known for her service in the Ministry of Manpower and Development. She achieved popularity when she became the Second Lady of Zimbabwe in 2014. Auxillia Mnangagwa is currently serving as the First Lady of her country. 

Sally Hayfron was the First Lady of Zimbabwe from 31 December 1987 to 27 January 1992. Commonly referred to as Amai (Mother) in Zimbabwe, Mugabe was the wife of Robert Mugabe, a revolutionary and one of the most influential politicians in the history of Zimbabwe. A trained teacher, Sally Hayfron established herself as a campaigner and political activist.

A well-known South African socialite and businesswoman, Hazel Crane once smuggled diamonds and worked at a strip club. She had also been a nurse. She was gunned down while traveling in her car to testify against Israeli mafia boss Lior Saat. Her interesting life later became public through her post-humous memoir.

Joice Mujuru is a Zimbabwean politician and revolutionary. She is best known for her service as the Vice-President of Zimbabwe from 6 December 2004 to 8 December 2014. She is credited with founding the National People's Party and is currently serving as the president of the party.

Thokozani Khuphe is a Zimbabwean politician and trade unionist. She is best known for her service as the Deputy Prime Minister of Zimbabwe from 11 February 2009 to 13 August 2013. Over the years, Thokozani Khuphe has been an important leader of a centre-left political party called the Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai.

Susan Tsvangirai was a Zimbabwean political figure best remembered as the wife of the former Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, Morgan Tsvangirai. She was often viewed as a mother figure who provided moral strength to the country during difficult times.

Zimbabwean politician Joana Mamombe started her career as a student leader. In spite of being equipped with degrees in biotechnology and molecular biology, she joined politics soon after completing her studies. A Citizens Coalition for Change member, she has been arrested multiple times and even abducted and sexually assaulted once.

American-born Zimbabwean politician Trudy Stevenson hadn’t just been the Ambassador to Senegal and The Gambia but had also represented Harare North as a Member of Parliament. She also scripted history as Zimbabwe’s only white female MP in her time and spearheaded the Movement for Democratic Change.

Monica Mutsvangwa is a Zimbabwean politician and the current Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services. An important political leader, Monica Mutsvangwa has held cabinet positions in both Robert Mugabe government as well as the Emmerson Mnangagwa government.

Judith Todd is a Zimbabwean former political activist who was part of the Black Nationalist movement as well as the National Democratic Party. Judith Todd is credited with co-founding a humanitarian organization called Zimbabwe Project Trust, which was founded in 1978 to help Zimbabwean refugees.

Cecilia Chimbiri is a Zimbabwean political figure, human rights defender, and pro-democracy activist. She made headlines in 2020 when she was abducted along with two other women, following their protest against the government's failure during the COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe. Cecilia Chimbiri and the other women were released two days later after being subjected to torture and rape.

Prisca Mupfumira was a Zimbabwean politician who served as the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry from 2017 to 2019. She also served as the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare from 2014 to 2017. In July 2019, Prisca Mupfumira was arrested for corruption, becoming the first ZANU–PF minister to be arrested under the presidency of Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Sithembiso Nyoni is a Zimbabwean politician and the current Minister of Women and Youth Affairs. She previously served as the Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises Development. From 2003 to 2014, Sithembiso Nyoni was on the US sanctions list.