Highlighting Changemakers - Martha Shumba

Briefly introduce yourself
My name is Martha Talent Shumba from Zimbabwe. I currently live in South Africa completing a degree in Business Management.

Why did you choose to be a community activist?

My personal background motivated me to be proactive in addressing the challenges I faced and those I witnessed in my community such as poverty, gender inequality, child marriage, poor living conditions, starvation, and teenage pregnancies among others.

What kind of community work are you involved in?

SheDad Foundation (www.shedad.co.za): SheDad is a foundation whose primary focus is the boy child. It was founded in 2016 to coach, mentor, groom and be a catalyst for the progressive transformation of boys and young men in Africa. We provide a platform for boys and young men to learn, reprogram their thinking and sensitize gender-based abuse and empower themselves on issues that affect our men in society as well as be aware of their role in society. Some of our programs focus on ICT Training and Leadership development, peer education and career guidance.

SheDad's primary focus is the boy child

Coalition Against Sanction Movement: Coalition Against Sanctions is a Civil Society organization that aims to fight sanction imposed on Zimbabwe by the West as well as self-imposed sanctions. We are an Umbrella organization for POVO (People of Various Opinions), with branches in Zimbabwe, South Africa and footprints in other Africa countries. We have members from different sectors, backgrounds and experiences. Our Mission is to challenge the super powers on their reasons for sanctioning our country, to produce innovative and cost effective business solutions for Zimbabweans, to force USA, EU and Britain to lift the sanctions, and to fight corruption, human rights abuse and price hikes in our country.

What inspires your work

I love helping people, inspiring them to be better, and to see families, young people and communities heal, live in peace, harmony and unity. I look forward to each challenge, ready to learn from it. It is self-fulfilling to see people benefit from my knowledge, ideas and experience. 

Are there some success stories that you want to share?

At the SheDad Foundation, we have over 200 boys in our database, we have set up an ICT training center in South Africa for the boys and we have trained over 20 boys living in marginalized areas to grow their own food.

At the Anti-Sanction Movement, we handed a communique to the AU in February 2019 for support regarding the issue of removal of sanction, few months later the communique was discussed at SADC and the pressure led to the SADC declaration of October 25 to stand in solidarity with Zimbabwe. On October 25th we handed over our petition to the USA embassy in South Africa outlining the unfairness of the sanctions and challenging their justification. In Zimbabwe we pressured the Government on corruption issues and the challenges people face due to the use of the multi-currency system, we are proud that we played a role on the formation of the ZACC and introduction of the new currency.

Any key lessons that you have learnt?

· Anything is possible if you are dedicated, diligent, disciplined and devoted

· Following your dream comes with its up and downs, but the key is never to give up

· Education is the key to success, but quality education is the formula for success, master all you can in all you want to do. If you are a mango tree, focus on producing mangoes, invest in knowledge on how to be a great mango tree and producing quality mangoes NOT go to university to learn pawpaw production😊

What are the main challenges that you encounter?

SheDad Foundation: Its wasn’t easy working on a project for boys when you are a woman. I met with resistance from older men who thought the whole movement is to disempower men. However, many are now buying into the idea and playing their role in empowering the boy child. It’s not easy to run a project with zero funding. When I started this project, I was working full time and studying part time as well. It’s not easy to juggle everything but it’s doable. 

Anti-Sanctions Movement: Sanctions on Zimbabwe is a very sensitive issue. When I did my first interview on SABC in January, I got insults from Zimbabweans. It is an issue that is always met with mixed emotions and that has attracted public threats for me. As a woman it’s still difficult to perform to the highest level of my potential because while some recognize my talent, energy and potential and can assist often there is a price tag to any help that is offered. 

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

I think the most important SDG is Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure. This SDG is the pillar to everything else because it is a solution to other SDGs such as decent work and economic growth, development of sustainable cities and communities and no poverty. With industries and innovation there will be zero hunger, quality education, good health and well-being. This will pave way for partnerships to achieve all the goals. 

Any final Remarks?

I would like to urge young people to involve themselves in the SDGs. It’s not helpful to hate the system, complain about the situation on social media and do nothing about it. I was exposed to child marriage at the age of 13, I ran away, at 16 I fell pregnant, fought to go back to school after giving birth in a society where that was not allowed. I was abused many times and faced all challenges that any woman has faced at a very young age. I live in a foreign land where I am limited because of my nationality and have no access to resources that can assist in my journey. But all that does not stop me. As long as I live, I will keep fighting and pushing. I use my life story as a motivation rather than a stumbling block. If all of us can choose one SDG and put our all, we can make Africa a better place to live in. It doesn’t matter where you are, who you are or your situation.