Female Student Warriors: Melissa Nomakhosi Ndlovu

Nehanda Radio is serialising the book “Solid Impact Stories: Experiences of Student Rights Activists in Zimbabwe (2000-2012)” courtesy of the Students Solidarity Trust (SST). Today we look at Melissa Nomakhosi Ndlovu.

‘In this role, an evident amount of female students’ participation was realised’: Melissa Nomakhosi Ndlovu

Melissa went to Robert Tredgold primary school, proceeded to Eveline girls high and finished her secondary education at Founders high school in 2005.

At this time she was in the Bulawayo Junior City Council. She went on to Hillside teachers college in 2006 where she joined the Students Representative Council as the public relations secretary.

At Hillside Teachers college she completed her diploma in secondary education in 2007. In 2009 she completed her post graduate Diploma in Disaster management and development studies.

In 2010, Melissa enrolled for a BSc Honours degree in Development studies.

Melissa worked for the Zimbabwe National Students Union as the programmes person for the southern region from 2008 till 2010.

She was able to establish the office in the southern region and encourage wide students’ participation and coordinate broader civil society activities with the students’ movement in the Southern region.

She went on to work for Cesvi, an Italian cooperation involved in humanitarian work from 2011 to date.

Melissa’s first leadership role was in the Junior Council of Bulawayo as the council secretary before she was elected alderman. She was elected for the post of public relations officer at Hillside Teachers College in 2006.

Together with other student leaders in Bulawayo she led the demonstrations that saw government change its policy of throwing students out of college for non-payment of fees after students’ grants had been stopped.

In 2006 she was elected Gender and Human Rights Secretary of the Zimbabwe National Students Union. In this role, an evident amount of female students’ participation was realised with significant numbers participating in the race for leadership position.

In 2007 she was co-opted into the MDC T national executive under the Information portfolio. In 2010, Melissa was elected as youth secretary in the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA).

Since her election, great strides have been made towards increasing youth participation in issues of local governance. In 2009 Melissa was appointed into the Board of the statutory Zimbabwe Youth Council.