Highlighting Changemakers: Munyaradzi Didymus Muzenda

Briefly introduce yourself

My name is Munyaradzi Didymus Muzenda from Zimbabwe. I am passionate about developing ideas, dreams, visions, talents and projects. I am the founder of Tact Youth Association in Zimbabwe; founder of Afrika Speaks; founder and chairman of GAAB; director of Live Your Dream Africa Project and chairperson of Cycling for SDGS Africa (Cyling4SDGS). I am also the director of Marketing for the Moving Arts Project. 

Why did you choose to become a community activist?

One of my mentors told me in my early days of youth activism that: an activist is not the one who says the river is dirty. An activist is the one who cleans the river. A person is only remembered for two things -the problems you have caused or the problems that you have solved. I have decided to lead by doing and its the best way to inspire others.    

What kind of community work are you involved in?

Having been in youth and community work for a long time, I finally managed to identify the missing ingredient which is core to personal and national development of any nation. The most effective and efficient way to bring community and economic development is to invest in ideas, visions, dreams and talents of our people especially our young people.  On the other hand, if you are a youth, the best way to achieve early freedom is to #LiveYourDream.

I have three current projects:

1.     GAAB – an initiative that we use to set national and continental developmental agendas by enabling Africa's six generations to paint the Africa they want. This project draws from the AU’s Agenda 2063. This banner will create a minimum of 55,000 descent permanent jobs across Africa.

Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro to place GAAB ,Cycling 4 SDGS & No Poverty Icon at the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro

Cycling4SDGS Africa - an initiative conceived in Marondera, Zimbabwe in partnership with Marondera Municipality and United Nations Information center. We are using Cycling to raise awareness about SDGS. Cycling4SDGS Africa has also given birth to two other projects which include Racing for SDGS Africa which will be in August 2020 as part of celebrating 4years of Cycling for SDGS Africa and Ride Africa 2020 in which people will ride for the Africa they want.

3.     Live Your Dream - an initiative geared towards creating employment for African people.

What inspires your work?

I am deeply inspired by challenges such as poverty, hunger, unemployment and negative mindset.

Are there some success stories that you can share from your work?

Tact Juniors is an experiment we did with five orphans from Vhombozi in Mudzi, Zimbabwe.  We held a poetry competition in their school at the village. The orphans were among the best five. They were in turn trained by professional poets for three months after which they performed at a district poetry competition and won. Part of their prize included a scholarship up to the university, hampers, school uniforms, and books.

Any key lessons that you’ve learnt throughout your community work?

Do not waste time consulting people about your dream, just go out and do it. Nothing beats passion and hard work.

What are the main challenges that you encounter?

Most of it has to do with negative attitudes, ignorance, and fear of starting new things.

How can other youth interested in being active in their communities start?

The best way to be active in your community is to put your dream into action. Know what you want and use what you have to get what you want.

What do you think is the most important SDG and why?

I think the importance of SDGS are already in their order.  Poverty is our worst and greatest enemy and the cause of all the social, economic and political problems in Africa. If we address poverty, the entire world will be in order. Freedom is freeing people from poverty, hunger and unemployment. Freeing people from poverty is helping people to Live their Dreams.

Any final remarks?

People don't fail in life. People just give up. The secret of any success is knowing what you want and using what you have to get what you want.

Munya's Mt Kilimanjaro challenge to raise awareness of the SDGs is from the 24th Nov to the 29th November. He invites you to support the cause by helping with paints and canvas to enable the 55000 visual artists to paint the Africa they want. Connect with Munya at: 
facebook - https://www.facebook.com/munyaradzi.d.muzenda
whatsApp - +256708625688 email - munya@greatafricanartbanner.org