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Iris Zemza Nozizwe Mhlanga, founder of the Nozizwe Mother of Nations Trust in Zimbabwe, has been announced as a nominee for the prestigious 2024 Women Changing the World Awards. The awards, presented by Sarah, Duchess of York, and Dr. Tererai Trent, recognize and celebrate the achievements of women making outstanding impacts in areas such as humanitarian work, advocacy, and community development.
“We aim to give voice to silent whispers. We want to lift women up all over the world and tell their stories,” Sarah, Duchess of York.
According to Dr. Tererai Trent, women hold the ideas and leadership to heal the world.
“We are strong already, but together we are stronger. These exceptional women are here to awaken hearts, give permission to recapture dreams, and inspire the women of the world to come together to forge a brighter path for all. The rising of women is the awakening of everybody,” says Dr. Trent.
Iris Mhlanga established the Nozizwe Trust in 2018 with a mission of assisting the underprivileged, people with disabilities, widowed, orphaned, homeless, and other marginalized members of Zimbabwean society. The trust provides critical food, medical, educational, and psycho-social support to vulnerable communities across the country. Through food aid programs, wheelchair donations, and partnerships with organizations like the Mustard Seed Children’s Home in Bulawayo, Mhlanga empowers over 1,200 children daily.
Her long-term vision is to establish a halfway house offering self-sufficiency training to disadvantaged women and men. Her goal is to uplift communities and allow them to become self-sustaining without ongoing reliance on assistance. As one recipient of support noted, “The trust is doing such important work to lift vulnerable people in Zimbabwe.”
In addition to direct aid, Mhlanga advocates for marginalized groups and inspires others to create change. She was selected to participate in the United Nations’ Best Diplomats simulation and co-authored the anthology ‘Women Making a Difference.’ She attributes her success to the efforts of many helpers who make impacts in vulnerable communities across Zimbabwe.
If selected as a winner of the Women Changing the World Awards, Mhlanga would join an esteemed group of leaders empowering women globally. The awards aim to amplify overlooked voices and spark united action towards a brighter future for all. She is a shining example of how one person can lift entire communities through compassion and service.
Sarah, Duchess of York, and Dr Tererai Trent’s powerful call to action aims to awaken hearts and inspire the people of the world to come together to forge a brighter path for all. Their collective vision extends beyond conventional recognition, aiming to amplify the voices of those often overlooked, yet whose contributions are invaluable. The awards not only celebrate individual accomplishments but also seek to inspire others to create change in ways both big and small.
The winners of the 2024 Women Changing the World Awards will be announced at a glamorous event in London, United Kingdom this May.
