Online Reporter
Oliver Kazunga
Senior Reporter
PROSECUTOR-GENERAL Justice Loyce Matanda-Moyo has implored women to rise with purpose, inspire through action and empower each other, declaring that success must be claimed, owned and defended through excellence.
Speaking at a Ladies High Tea hosted by The Herald under the theme, “Rise, Inspire and Empower” in Harare on Saturday, Justice Matanda-Moyo challenged women to reject doubt and take ownership of their achievements.
“Never let anyone write your story — if you are competent, own it and if you are excellent, own it. If you earned your seat at the table, pull up your chair and sit squarely and elegantly,” she said.
She noted that the path to success is often marked by resistance, where women’s achievements are questioned or downplayed, but emphasised that resilience and integrity remain key.
“Doubt will always exist, but we must rise above it not by arguing, but by demonstrating (proving performance beyond reasonable doubt).
“Performance is our voice. Integrity is our armour. Discipline is our weapon,” said Justice Matanda-Moyo.
Reflecting on her appointment in October 2023 as the country’s first female Prosecutor-General, she said the moment carried significance beyond personal achievement.
“Legal practitioners called it ‘a sign of progression … a step in the right direction for empowering women and advancing gender equality.’
“I was dubbed ‘the Iron Lady, a fighter of corruption’.
“But do you know what touched me most? It wasn’t the headlines … it was the voices of women who said they were proud, ordinary women — who called, who texted, who stopped me at church and said, ‘Your appointment just shows that we can make it through hard work and perseverance,” she said.
Justice Matanda-Moyo urged women to invest in knowledge and skills, saying empowerment must be anchored on competence.
“When you are grounded in knowledge, your value becomes undeniable,” she said.
Prominent banker and entrepreneur Dr Mandas Marikanda encouraged women to embrace empowerment through financial independence and community impact.
“Own your space through growth, inspiration and empowerment of others and communities.
“If you are the fig tree in a vine yard (family or community), how do you survive … drop seed and create more fig trees and create a forest. Empower more people,” she said.
In her welcome remarks, Zimpapers board member Mrs Sibyl Madzikanda said the event provided a platform for women to strengthen bonds and rise together.
“Our theme for today is ‘Rise, Inspire, and Empower’, is about transcending barriers, both visible and invisible, that have historically limited the heights that women can reach—whether in the boardroom, the office, the classroom, or the community,” she said.
“Rising requires the courage to step into spaces where we belong, even when we are the first and the only ones there.
“We rise so that we can inspire. When one woman breaks a glass ceiling, she provides the blueprint for the next generation to follow,” she said.
Herald Editor Victoria Ruzvidzo shared her 33-year journey defined by resilience and determination.
“I have been in this field for 33 years and staying for too long is by choice.
“My drawer was full of letters… offering me public relations manager roles, but I remained committed to the newsroom,’ she said
Ruzvidzo recalled facing doubt early in her career after being assigned to the business desk.
“A senior reporter said to me, here you will not last,” she said.
Instead, the challenge fuelled her resolve, propelling her rise to become first female Editor for both The Sunday Mail and The Herald and one of the most influential voices in local journalism.
As Women’s Month draws to a close, the message from the gathering was clear; women must rise with courage, inspire through action and empower others, ensuring that progress is not only achieved, but sustained.
