Keypoints:
- Princess Mlotshwa wins decade-long court fight
- Becomes first woman chief in Matabeleland North
- Installation hailed as historic step for equality
IN a milestone for gender equality and traditional leadership, Princess Silibaziso Mlotshwa has been installed as Chief Mvuthu of Hwange District, becoming the first woman to assume a chieftaincy in Zimbabwe’s Matabeleland North Province.
The 31-year-old’s appointment, formally confirmed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in May, represents a dramatic shift in a cultural system that has long excluded women from such roles. She now joins a small but growing cohort of eight female chiefs in the country, four of whom serve in Matabeleland South.
Ceremony steeped in symbolism
The official installation ceremony in Hwange saw Chief Mvuthu presented with the traditional emblems of office, including a royal rod, red robe, chain, hat and an official government vehicle.
Albert Mavhunga, Deputy Minister of Local Government and Public Works, who presided over the event, described the moment as ‘a landmark in the recognition of women within our cultural institutions’.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Mvuthu said: ‘This victory is not mine alone. It belongs to every young girl who dreams of leading; to every woman told she cannot.’
Legal fight for recognition
Chief Mvuthu’s journey to leadership was marked by a protracted legal struggle. After the death of her father, Chief Nyangayezizwe Mvuthu Mlotshwa, in 2014, she was overlooked in favour of her uncle, with officials citing her gender.
Determined to assert her right, she challenged the decision through Zimbabwe’s courts. In June 2020, Justice Maxwell Takuva of the Bulawayo High Court ruled in her favour, declaring the earlier nomination invalid and ordering a fresh selection process consistent with the constitutional principles of equality and non-discrimination.
Despite the ruling, the process remained contentious, with entrenched gender bias slowing progress. Mlotshwa, supported by legal experts and the Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC), persevered until her appointment was formally recognised.
Support and recognition
The ceremony drew senior dignitaries, including Senator Chief Mtshane Khumalo, President of the National Council of Chiefs, who underscored the importance of aligning tradition with constitutional values.
‘The Constitution’s provisions on equality and non-discrimination must prevail in all matters, including issues relating to culture and tradition,’ Chief Khumalo said.
Zimbabwe Gender Commission Chairperson Margaret Mukahanana-Sangarwe hailed the development as a ‘progressive milestone’, while Brigadier Siachitema of SALC noted that the victory symbolised broader struggles across Southern Africa, where women remain underrepresented in customary authority.
‘The limited participation of women in traditional leadership roles arises not only from discriminatory laws and practices but also from the failure of authorities to enforce equality,’ he said.
Symbol of resilience
Chief Mvuthu’s installation has been widely praised as both a personal triumph and a national step towards gender inclusivity in leadership. Advocates say it highlights the role of the judiciary and civil society in upholding rights guaranteed under Zimbabwe’s Constitution.
Her supporters believe her leadership will serve as a beacon for women across Zimbabwe and the wider region, inspiring them to pursue positions of authority in both customary and public life.
