Mai Musodzi Chibhaga Ayema (1885-1952)
The ‘mother of Zimbabwean social services’ and a pioneer of women’s rights.
She was the mother and one of the founders of Zimbabwean social services although she did not have a social work qualification. Like Octavia Hill (1838 – 1912) and Mary Richmond (1861-1928), the founders of social work in Britain and Jane Adams (1860 –1935), the founder of social work in USA, Mai did not have a social work qualification but did great social work and inspired generations. Together with her siblings, they became orphans after Chimurenga 1 of 1896, a war to repel colonialists led by the British South Africa (BSA) Company, the same war that resulted in Mbuya Nehanda (her aunt), Sekuru Kaguvi and other leaders being hanged by the white colonialists. Mai founded Harare African Women’s Club in 1938. She served Native Advisory Board and the National Welfare Society’s African committee where she advocated for rights of black people. Mbare, Zimbabwe’s oldest suburb for Black people, has a Recreation Hall renamed Mai Musodzi Hall in her honour. In 2008, a book titled Elizabeth Musodzi and the Birth of African Feminism in Early Colonial Africa was published by historian Tsuneo Yoshikuni. Like Jairosi Jiri, she became a social reformer, do-gooder and philanthropist of good standing of her era. The famous street in Mbare, Ayema, was named after the Ayema family.
Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo (19 June 1917 – 1 July 1999)
The first black professional social worker in Zimbabwe and a pan-Africanist.
The first trained black social worker known more for liberation and nationalism than social work, Nkomo was born in Bukalanga or Bulilima, now referred to as Semokwe Reserve, Matabeleland South and was one of eight children. After primary school, he did a carpentry course at the Tsholotsho Government Industrial School and then attended Adams College and the Jan H. Hofmeyr School of Social Work in South Africa where he met Nelson Mandela and other future nationalist leaders. It was at the Jan Hofmeyr School of Social Work that he was awarded a B. A. Degree in Social Science in 1952. He became a highly influential Zimbabwean, revolutionary leader who led in landmark trade unionism and the first political movement against the oppressive minority government of Southern Rhodesia. He was jailed for ten years by Rhodesia’s white minority government. He joined the trade union movement for black rail workers and rose to the leadership of the Railway Workers Union and then to leadership of the Southern Rhodesian chapter of the African National Congress in 1952 (later the Southern Rhodesia African National Congress). He served as the president of National Democratic Party (NDP), Zimbabwe African Peoples Union (ZAPU) and various government portfolios including Vice President of Zimbabwe and ZANU PF under Unity Accord with Robert Mugabe from 1987 until his death in 1999.
Jairos Jiri (1921 – 1982)
The ‘father of social services in Zimbabwe’ and a pioneer of disability work.
Born in 1921, Baba Jairosi Jiri was not a trained social worker but is one of the early (do-gooders), people who provided social services at a national scale using the values of unhu that forms the bedrock of Zimbabwean traditional social functioning (Mugumbate, 2020). The legend learned about traditional forms of social assistance from his parents and community. He perfected these values with work that he did as a general hand at a rehabilitation facility in Bulawayo. The facility catered for world war veterans, most of them whites. He founded the Jairos Jiri Association for Disabled People in 1940 initially using his own labor and resources. In 1982 when he died, he was honored with National Hero of Zimbabwe status but his family opted to be buried in his rural home village of Bikita instead of at the National Heroes Acre in Harare. Later, the government of Zimbabwe honored him by awarding him the Jairosi Jiri Humanitarian Award given to people who contribute significantly to helping others, for example, those who helped cyclone Idai Victims in Chimanimani in 2019. Further to this recognition, he received numerous other awards nationally, regionally and nationally.
Ted Rogers (1924-2017)
A founder of social work higher education in Zimbabwe.
A Jesuit Priest, Father Rogers arrived in Zimbabwe in 1960 and worked as a teacher at Musami Mission. Two years later he started the St Peter’s Community Secondary School in 1963 in Mbare, then Salisbury Township. Like Mai Musodzi and Baba Jiri before him, he had no social work qualification. In 1964, he founded the School of Social Work with the support of many friends, donors and officials in both municipal and the colonial government. The School operated first from Morgan High School and later in Kambuzuma before establishing a campus near Harare town centre. He became the first Principal in 1964 until 1985 when he was succeeded by Father Joe Hampson in 1986. In 1988, the first non-Jesuit Principal, and first black Director of the School of Social Work, the late Professor Edwell Kaseke was appointed up to March 2009 (Chogugudza, 2013).
Josphat Mathe – 1947-2013
A champion of professional associations and social work regulation.
An illustrious professional, practitioner, and teacher at the School of Social Work (February 1986 to June 1988) before moving to do community work with children focused NGO-Redd Barna in Zimbabwe and Norway. Co-founder of the NASWZ in its second resurrection by a group of social work lecturers in 1986, with Matemavi as President. Joe Mathe took over the Presidency of NASWZ in 1990 there-on and fundraised for the revitalisation of NASWZ and he helped to set up its first ever secretariat. He gave up the Presidency to Helen Tapfumaneyi in 1995 to focus on the negotiations with government and the work that needed to be done to complete the social work law that recognized the social work profession. The pinnacle of Joe’s service has been in his unrelenting commitment to the development and promotion of social work institutions and bodies and the promulgation of the Social Workers Act. He used to organise weekend social dialogue fora in Bulawayo under the auspices of the Social Workers Association – whereby professionals, including lawyers, doctors, nurses, teachers and city leaders would come together to debate on topical social issues. He had NASWZ matters at heart to the extent that him and Hall paid NASWZ dues to the IFSW in 1986 and 1987 respectively
Brigid Willmore
Active in community organizations, a community organiser.
One the three founding NASWZ executive members (with Mathe and Hall) and a treasurer of NASWZ in 1988. She is one of the critical social work elders to actively organize to speak about NASWZ. Was the first editorial assistant and then full editor of the Journal of Social Development in Africa in 1988. She tragically died in a car accident with her mother and niece on route to South Africa (Jackson, n.d.).
Edwell Kaseke (1954 to 2017)
A founder of deconolised developmental social work, a mentor, leader, researcher, educator and theorist.
Often referred to as the face of social work in Zimbabwe the late Edwell Kaseke generated publications that have benefited the profession immensely. He graduated with a Diploma in Social Work in 1979 and a BSW in Social Work from the School of Social Work and was offered a scholarship to attend the London School of Economic to complete the Master’s Degree in Social Planning. He returned to the School of Social Work to teach in 1985 and later attained a PhD from the University of Zimbabwe. Kaseke rose to become the first non-Jesuit and first black Director of the School of Social Work. In 2009, Kaseke went to Witwatersrand University (2009) in South Africa as the Head of Social Work Department. He taught, contributed to social development literature, presented at conferences, nurtured the Council of Social Workers as a Board member and represented the profession in a variety of ways through membership to a variety of Boards nationally, regionally and internationally.
Professor Rodreck Mupedziswa – (19—to date)
A founder of deconolised developmental social work, a mentor, leader, researcher, educator and theorist.
Professor Rodreck Mupedziswa is one of the only three luminary professors of social work to have emerged as a direct crop from the Ted Rogers School of Social Work as it was affectionately known. Together with other lecturers from the School of Social Work, he was influential in the formation of the interim National Association of Social Workers Zimbabwe in 1988. He taught at the School of Social Work (Associate College, University of Zimbabwe) from January 1983 until early 2002, when he left for a short contract to serve as Director of the Forced Migration Studies Programme at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, SA (2002 – 2004), which programme offered a an Honours- degree, a Masters and a PhD in Forced Migration Studies. At the end of his contract, he briefly returned to the School of Social Work (2004-2007). In February 2007 he left the School of Social Work to go and Head the University of Botswana’s Department of Social Work. As a top achiever, he was awarded a scholarship (on merit) by the City of Harare Scholarship Fund (1981) to study for the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree at the University of Zimbabwe and later a British Foreign and Commonwealth (Chevening) Scholarship (1984 – 1985) again on merit, to study for a Master of Science degree (Social Planning) at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), University of London. In 2000 he completed his Doctor of Philosophy degree, and in September of the same year was promoted to the rank of Associate Professor by the University of Zimbabwe. At the University of Botswana Prof Mupedziswa excelled, scooping the institution’s Researcher of the Year Award in 2010, and attaining the rank of (full) Professor in January 2012. A former longtime editor of the IBSS accredited Journal of Social Development in Africa, Professor Mupedziswa left the University of Botswana in mid 2021 (after 15 years service) to join a smaller institution, BA ISAGO University where he currently serves as Director, Centre for Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Empowerment.
Nigel Hall (19—)
An international social worker interested in publishing, indigenization and professionalization of social work.
Founding executive member and secretary of NASWZ, he took over the treasurer post after Edwin Mapamba. Nigel worked closely with Joe Mathe and is one of the groups of three (Mathe & Wilmore/Mupedziswa) who drafted the notes and principles that led to the present-day contents of the Social Workers Act. Nigel was a President of IFSW for Africa Region, He became IFSW Human Right Commissioner and IFSW Publications Officer. Nigel played other significant roles as editor of the JSDA and AJSW as founding editor. Nigel is now based in the United Kingdom and retired from active practice.
Stella Tendai Makanya
She was part of a very strong team of lecturers put together by Father Ted Rogers between 1985 and 2000 comprising Kaseke, Mupedziswa, Nigel Hall, Trish Swift, Bridget Wilmore, Joe Mathe, Helen Jackson, Veronica Brand Sr, Andrew Nyanguru, and Fr Joe Hampson. She took active part in the advocacy and political discussions around the state of the social work profession until the formation of NASWZ in 1988 together with other participating lecturers.
Andrew Nyanguru (1953 – 2014)
Everyone’s friend, a community worker interested in aged reform, an educator and theorist.
Professor Andrew Nyanguru attained a Bachelor of Social Work General Degree in 1980 and a Master of Social Work Degree in 1985, both from the University of Zimbabwe’s School of Social Work. He earned Professorship from the National University of Lesotho in 2006. At the time of his death, he had 27 publications, mainly in the area of gerontology and 8 more papers were undergoing pre- publication peer review. Upon completion of his first degree, he joined the then Department of Social Services (DSS) in 1981 as a District Social Welfare Officer at the Highfields DSS office and rose through the ranks to become Drought Relief Provincial Head for the Mashonaland Region from 1983-85. Nyanguru left the public service to join the School of Social Work, then an Associate College of the University of Zimbabwe as a lecturer. He taught on different programmes, that is the Certificate and Diploma courses and the Bachelor and Master’s degree programmes. He was also Director of Fieldwork in the 1990’s. Nyanguru later joined the National University of Lesotho where he was one of the people who introduced social work training and education in the country. On his return from Lesotho in 2010, he briefly taught at Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE) where a social work programme had just been introduced. He re-joined the University of Zimbabwe from BUSE as a permanent full-time Associate Professor with immediate tenure at the School of Social Work on the 1st of July 2010. He was subsequently appointed Director of the School until December 2011 when he was re-assigned to full time lecturing and research.
Ancelm Mukweva
An advocate for refugees.
Director of Social Welfare and played a significant role as the Commissioner for Refugees during a time when Zimbabwe was a host to refugees from neighboring countries, including the Mozambican Refugees in Zimbabwe. Other refugees were largely from the apartheid war that was taking place in South Africa and Zimbabwe was host to South African urban refugees. Namibia was also going through some transition and urban refugees were recorded. The largest number of refugees both urban and largely rural was from Mozambique. Commissioner Mukwewa was responsible for the support and protection of more than 200 000 refugees at one time, with Tongogara holding the largest number of people in one concentration with 100 000 inmates with the other 4 camps contribution the remaining 100 000. Commissioner Mukwewa was a man and professional with 200 000 social problems that needed his attention all the time every day of the time. He handled the Refugee influx professionally with the support of UNHCR.
Helen Tapfumaneyi
Helen was part of the illustrious NASWZ founding team of 1988, then working as a Director of Zimbabwe National Army Social Welfare Services and leading a strong Social Service team that included Jones Muguse, Major Machiridza, and Major Chabata. Helen rose to take over Presidency of NASWZ from Joe Mathe (1990-1995) to lead the most successful executive of NASWZ covering from 1990 – 2000. Helen is now practicing social work in the United Kingdom.
Phillip Bohwasi
He is qualified with a Diploma in Social Work (UZ-1987), a Bachelors of Social Work Degree (UZ-1990) and a Masters of Policy Studies (UZ & Fort Hare, 2000). Phillip Bohwasi was part of the most successful NASWZ executive led by Joe Mathe as President during the (1990-1995) and Helen Tapfumaneyi (1995-2000). He was a Vice President of NASWZ (1995-2000). He drafted a winning proposal that earned NASWZ the consultancy status to a UNICEF study on National Safety Nets for Children. Part of the executive committee that opened the first ever secretariat and office and recruited a National Coordinator for CSW. Phillip Bohwasi has taken several positions in the process of strengthening social work institutions and when the Social Workers Act. He became the Chairman of the regulatory authority, the CSW for 10 years from 2006 and is a lecturer of social work at Africa University now since 2017. He is the Founding Executive Director of Zimbabwe Opportunities Industrialisation Centres (ZOIC), a community social work and entrepreneurship development agency he founded in 1998. Phillip Bohwasi is a former Vice Chairman and founding Board Member of the Zimbabwe Micro Finance Institutions (ZAMFI). He has built a career based on economic and social justice for small business development, he is an academic, an entrepreneur, a senior social worker and a political worker. Phillip Bohwasi has held prominent positions as a Founding Board member to a number of civil society organisations and social welfare-oriented agencies.
Edwin Mapamba
Edwin is a founding member of the first ever National Associating of Social Workers of 1988 and continued to take posts in the subsequent executives. Edwin Mapamba is now late.
Samuel Mhiribidi
Samuel Mhiribidi is a former senior civil servant and a current senior
social worker. He graduated with a Masters degree in Social Work and
joined the civil service and rose to the ranks of Deputy Director of Social
Welfare responsible for Child Welfare and Deputy Director responsible for
Rehabilitation and Drought Relief. He was appointed a Commissioner for
Refugees (1991-1995). He was appointed Director of Social Welfare (1995–
2001). Mr Mhiribidi joined University of Zimbabwe (UZ) School of Social
Work as a lecturer (2003-2012).
Claudia Madzokere
She was an experienced practitioner and a lecturer at the School of Social Work. She passed on in 2005/6.
Jotham Dhemba
A former lecture at the School of Social Work where he studied bachelor of social work and master of social work. PhD social work.
Charles Dziro (1967-2020)
He was an academic and experienced practitioner interested in social work professionalism and maintenance of ethics. He contributed to the NASWZ and the CSW. At the CSW he was Acting Registrar by the time of his death. He taught at the University of Zimbabwe for more than a decade. Dr Dziro was born on 3 May 1967 in Mashoko, Bikita, Masvingo. He completed his university education at the University of Zimbabwe in Harare, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) in 2005 and Masters of Social Work (MSW) degrees in 1999 and 2005.
Noel Muridzo
Studied Bachelor of Social Work at the School of Social Work (2001-2005) and later master of social work at the same institution. PhD. Director School of Social Work, Midlands State University. President, IFSW Africa Region.
Edmoss Mtetwa
Studied Bachelor of Social Work at the School of Social Work (2001-2005) and later master of social work at the same institution. PhD from University of Zimbabwe. Lecturer at School of Social Work and University of Zimbabwe. Chief Director for Social Development and Disability Affairs, Government of Zimbabwe.
Richard Banda (… to 2015)
A founding lecturer at the Bindura University. Studied Bachelor of Social Work at the School of Social Work (2001-2005) and later master of social work at the same institution. Active NASWZ and CSW member.
Rugare Mugumbate
An Ubuntu theorist, publisher and global social work academic.
*The name Jacob appears on other documents and instances.
Studied Bachelor of Social Work at the School of Social Work (2001-2005) (University of Zimbabwe) and later Master of Social Work up to 2010. he has a PhD in Social Work from the University of Newcastle, Australia. Rugare worked at the Epilepsy Support Foundation up to 2011, and at the Bindura University from 2011 to 2015 where he started work on Ubuntu in social work and higher education more broadly. His publications, teaching materials and project outcomes on Ubuntu are used globally to decolonise, indigenise and transform social work and development education, practice and research. He has been in charge of the African Journal of Social Work since 2012, and has founded three journals The Journal of Development Administration (2016), The Journal of Social Issues in Non-Communicable Conditions (2022) and Disability and The Journal of Ubuntu (2024). In 2019, he founded the African Social Work and Development Network with over 1600 subscribers and over 120 active members.
Cynthia Chinengundu
Is a registered and practicing social work who did her first degree in Social Work at Bindura University in 2017 and later on furthered her studies and is now a holder of a Masters degree in Social work specializing in Clinical Social work from Midlands State University. Cynthia started her journey as an esteemed social person long back in high school when she was nominated to represent children in school in the NAC program called Young people’s network. Through the interaction with vulnerable children in the district,she later on discovered her passion and end up as a vibrant Social work. She has worked for DSD, Hope foundation Education Trust, Childline Zimbabwe to mention just a few. Cynthia is currently working @Reformed Church University as a Lecturer and she is highly professional and is contributing in the training of upcoming Social workers. She is also in the committee of a local Trust named Martyr Stephen Trust as she contributes to the community in assisting the orphans,widows and vulnerables through psychosocial therapy and resource mobilization.
Chipo Chitereka
Chipo Chitereka holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree and a Master of Social Work degree from the National University of Lesotho. She is currently studying towards a DPhil degree in Social Work with the University of Zimbabwe. She is a lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe under the Department of Social Work. Her research areas of interest include child welfare, child protection, social protection and community development.
Stella Takaza, Sr
I am Sr Stella Takaza, a registered social worker and an aspiring Private Practitioner. Throughout my academic journey as a lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe, with my ability to identify life span issues, I co-authored academic articles published by highly accredited international publishers. I strongly believe that I have valuable strengths and skills to contribute to NASWZ as an Advisory Board Member.
My key strengths that would support my success in the Advisory position comprise my passion to come up with innovative ideas that improve the lives of humanity, my eagerness to participate at every meeting, and a strong desire for stewardship to the vulnerable groups. My professional goal is to bring a unique combination of collaborative skills with cross-cultural societies as well as integrate the A1 digital technology based on my previous and current local, national, regional and international experiences which some of them include: Conducted Research on various social issues and published articles in highly accredited journals.
• Produced modules for NGO Management and Counselling for Social Services of the CCIP Institution’s Diploma Training Programmes
• Competently Participated in the World Bank Development Marketplace Initiative for Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi; turning ideas into action among women and young people in and was An Award Winner.
• Successfully organized and facilitated the IMBISA Regional Annual Conferences for National Coordinator and Directors in the Southern Africa region.
• Skillfully initiated themes for the Regional Annual Conferences in nine countries within the Southern Africa region.
• Successfully coordinated the psychosocial support programmes for the refugees and asylum seekers in the Southern Africa Region.
• Promptly responded to droughts and floods disasters by providing psycho-social support to the victims.
• Trusted by being nominated to participate in the Germany Mission Campaign to present on the complexity and diversity of the refugee situation in the Southern Africa region.
My current global networking skills will bring unique comprehensive strategic direction and valuable skills as a NASW Advisory Member.
As a risk taker and game changer, I am passionate about the social work profession and eager to use my adaptive strategies to see the profession navigating to a higher level through networking and collaboration.
Lispoh Rugaro
Mr Lispoh Rugaro is a registered and practicing social worker with 5 years post graduate experience. He holds a bachelor’s degree in social work and specialization courses in counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy. He has worked with DSD, Zimbabwe United Nations association, SIMUKAI CHILD PROTECTION PROGRAM, RUJEKO HOME BASED CARE and FACT ZIMBABWE in Mutare, Mutasa, Makoni, harare and buhera. He is currently specializing in child protection and case management for a SPACE FOR OVC program funded by USAID in Mutare. He hopes to make a difference and specialize in family and child welfare as well as Case management in his professional and educational growth.
Gift Saladi
Registered, Council of Social Workers Zimbabwe. Practice: 4 years in child protection, mental health, academia, in clinical and managerial roles. Previous role: NEC Member, 2021-2023. President of NASWZ from 2023.