Women’s Mushandirapamwe (Collectivism), Ubuntu and Sustainable Development in Contemporary Zimbabwe

This chapter examines the nexus between mushandirapamwe activity or nhimbe or humwe (communitarianism) as an expression of Hunhu-Ubuntu philosophy and the empowerment of Zimbabwean women. Hunhu is the Shona term commonly used interchangeably with unhu, an equivalent of Ubuntu in Ndebele language. It is defined as personhood or the essence of being human. For a long time, women have been looked down upon in different cultures and religions, including African traditional religion, based on the kind of roles associated with them. This was basically in connection with household chores. On the contrary, men are associated with decision-making at such spaces as dare (traditional court), where crucial conversations about life skills are done to equip both young and elderly men. I describe such misconceptions about the position of women in the society as tools that promote dehumanisation. As such, I explore how and to what extent mushandirapamwe activities can serve as a hub for women empowerment and a development approach. The chapter investigates the stance taken by most women in contemporary Zimbabwe towards the establishment of various community guilds such as mukando (savings club), cooperative gardening and even such essential women’s groups during times of bereavement as burial societies, among others.