Online Reporter
Let’s talk, Ladies, with Dr Thandiwe Chidzungu
AS a qualified teacher myself, with a 20-year career in education both in Zimbabwe and across international borders, interviewing Dr Patricia Gonde felt like coming home.
We immediately found common ground, united by a shared belief that teaching is more than a career — it is a lifelong calling.
Dr Patricia Gonde echoes this sentiment beautifully: “Education is far more than a profession — it is a lifelong calling.”
For the past 35 years, she has dedicated herself to shaping young minds, mentoring educators and advocating for transformative education.
Today, as head of academics at Lusitania Primary School, she continues to influence the future of Zimbabwean education while championing girls’ empowerment and educational excellence on the global stage.
Recently honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award in Global Education Leadership at the World Leaders Summit, held at the University of Oxford, Dr Gonde’s remarkable career stands as a testament to resilience, visionary leadership and an unwavering commitment to quality education.
An educator, leader and advocate, Dr Gonde is also the founding director of the Heartfelt Teachers Network Global and Girls Leading Our World (GLOW), organisations dedicated to advancing Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).
Beyond her professional responsibilities, she is a mother, grandmother and lifelong learner currently pursuing doctoral studies in Management — her second PhD.
A calling discovered
Dr Gonde’s path to education was not a conventional one.
Raised as the youngest of six children in a patriarchal family, she initially trained as a nurse. However, after a year and a half, she realised nursing was not where her passion lay.
“My mother was a teacher, and together with my sister Juliet, she inspired me to pursue education,” she says.
“Teaching has always been my true calling.”
Growing up among strong women who devoted their lives to serving others profoundly shaped her worldview.
Her mother and sisters instilled values of compassion, service and empathy that continue to define her leadership style today.
At the same time, living within a patriarchal society strengthened her determination to create opportunities for women and girls.
That vision inspired the establishment of initiatives such as GLOW and BRIDGE (Building Relationships in Developing Girls and Educators), both aimed at nurturing confident female leaders.
Building a legacy in education
Over three and a half decades, Dr Gonde has grown from a classroom teacher to one of Zimbabwe’s most respected education leaders.
She credits her mother not only with inspiring her career but also with teaching her that education has the power to transform lives.
Her leadership journey included serving as Deputy Head before assuming her current position as head of academics at Lusitania Primary School.
That experience equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of school administration, curriculum development, and learner support.
“Serving as Deputy Head gave me valuable insight into the needs of both staff and students,” she explains.
“It prepared me to uphold high instructional standards while modernising the curriculum to prepare learners for the future.”
International recognition
Receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award in Global Education Leadership was a defining moment in Dr Gonde’s career.
She reflects: “It affirmed my decision to pursue my true calling, even when it required challenging traditional expectations. The recognition demonstrates the exceptional calibre, resilience and innovation of Zimbabwean educators. It shows that our academic leadership is globally competitive while remaining firmly rooted in our heritage.”
Leading through challenges
Like many women in leadership, Dr Patricia Gonde has faced obstacles rooted in deeply entrenched patriarchal attitudes and systemic gender bias.
Rather than allowing those barriers to define her career, she has chosen to focus on excellence, continuous professional development and mentorship.
Her leadership philosophy centres on creating environments where educators and learners alike are empowered to realise their full potential.
Championing inclusive education
As education systems around the world embrace inclusion, Dr Gonde believes every learner deserves to be recognised for their unique abilities.
“Every child has unique potential and a distinct purpose,” she says. “Our responsibility is to celebrate those differences and equip teachers with the skills needed to support diverse learning styles.”
She argues that inclusion cannot end at the school gate. Instead, it requires collaboration between schools, families and communities.
Preparing learners for Tomorrow
Looking ahead, Dr Gonde believes Zimbabwe’s education system must evolve to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world.
She advocates for a practical, modern curriculum that develops adaptability, innovation and critical thinking while creating equitable opportunities for all learners.
When it comes to the girl child, she believes: “We must provide girls with equal opportunities and connect them with role models who inspire confidence, resilience, and leadership.”
This commitment continues to drive her work through GLOW and the BRIDGE initiative, both dedicated to empowering girls and supporting educators.
Education is a shared responsibility
Dr Gonde believes parents and communities have an indispensable role in shaping children’s futures.
“Parents are not merely spectators in education — they are essential partners,” she says. “When schools, families, and communities work together, learning and character development continue beyond the classroom.”
She says such partnerships strengthen children’s sense of identity, purpose and belonging while reinforcing the values taught at school.
A legacy of transformation
As she reflects on a career spanning 35 years, Dr Patricia Gonde hopes her legacy will be defined not simply by leadership positions or international awards but by the lives she has transformed.
She hopes to be remembered as an educator who challenged systemic barriers, raised instructional standards and created opportunities for future generations.
One of her proudest achievements has been establishing an Early Childhood Development (ECD) centre for a marginalised rural school, recognising that quality education begins with strong foundations.
Ultimately, she wants her life’s work to be measured by the empowered young women who confidently shape their own futures and the educators who continue to innovate, lead and champion quality education across Zimbabwe and beyond.
