“Very sad indeed. She is one the first and committed members of our GMT networks family. Very engaging and productive in collective work. She will be very much missed. May her gentle soul Rest In Peace”- Mama Graça Machel.
Tributes are still pouring in as we continue to remember and celebrate a dear colleague and very passionate network member, Hazel Chinake of Zimbabwe Network of African Business Women (NABW) who passed away on the 28th of August, 2019 after a short illness. We are shaken and it has been a very sad week for the Graça Machel Trust and all its network members from across the continent as we try to make peace with her passing. We will remember for a long time her zealous contribution and the many courageous and transformative conversations we had about women and network leadership.
Hazel was a member of NABW since its inception in 2014 and has led and worked with the team to consolidate, strategize and plan for collective action among women’s organisations in Zimbabwe. She was very instrumental in fostering a collaborative GMT network in Zimbabwe, championed and led the processes of the now documented Zimbabwe GMT Networks Strategic Plan and Road-map of 2019-2021 which will guide the operations of the networks and their programmes. The strategic planning process has already strengthened the networks’ leadership and governance systems. A year ago, she facilitated her replacement by Dr Hespina Rukato who is now the NABW network lead in Zimbabwe.
We will greatly miss our dear colleague, below are some touching tributes from the networks as they remember Hazel…
“Hazel epitomizes the hard work of building networks which I now image as ‘lighting a fire with wet wood. You keep blowing until it kindles, and everyone gathers around for the warmth’. Hazel stayed the course and despite very challenging group formations dynamics, her commitment and resilience has paid off – she leaves us with a strong team that is committed to continuing to blow the fire she stayed long enough to see lit.
Thank you, Hazel – we are forever grateful for your passion, commitment and calm determination to lead and further the advancement of women in Africa.” – Korkor Cudjoe, Graca Machel Trust Women’s Rights Programme Manager
“I haven’t known what to say about this sudden loss of a network builder and advocate for women in Zimbabwe and Africa…We thank GMT for the ability to convene because had it not been for her light shining brightly at the annual women networks conference, we would never have known Hazel. May her spirit live on in the work she started at the women in business network.
“We solider on remembering Hazel’s bubbly energy and resolve.” – Andia Chikava, Graca Machel Trust Gender Lens Investment Director
“Hard working, resilient, compassionate, focused and absolutely stunning. That was Hazel Chinake. This amazing woman has been taken away from us at a time we needed her energy and intellect more than ever. A champion of empowerment, Hazel was gifted when it came to innovative ideas, articulating them on paper and executing. Not many of us possess this full chain of skills but Hazel has them. She had a network of contacts not only in Zimbabwe but across the globe. Her capacity spread across many fields such as communications, advocacy, mining to name just a few. A lover of women empowerment, she will forever be in our hearts. Go well sister, friend, colleague and role model” – Graça Machel Trust Network- Zimbabwe.
“Hazel was a trail blazer, always available and committed to the cause of network building. She will be sadly missed but always remembered for her sense of humour and encouraging nature.” – Maureen Sumbwe.
“When I started at GMT she was the first one to welcome and receive me with open arms! She made sure I understood what was going on and supported me every step of the way in my induction. Since then we also became friends, connecting from time to time to catch up. We frequently bounced ideas between us. I will miss her and will remember her and family in my prayers.”- Mariam Umarji
“We will never see her in our midst again? Such a sweet jewel, kind and gentle.”- Aishatu Aminu
“She was such a passionate and driven sister beautiful and highly intelligent.”- Mwenya Mapoma-Healey
May Her Soul Rest in Eternal Peace.
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Through its Early Childhood Development (ECD) plan, The Trust will seek to put into action the new science and evidence Report that was presented by Lancet Series on Good and early development – the right of every child. This will be achieved by mobilising like-minded partners to contribute in the new science and evidence to reach all young children with ECD. The Trust’s goal is to be a catalyst for doing things differently, in particular, to rid fragmentation and lack of coordination across ECD sectors. In response to evidence showing the importance of political will in turning the tide against the current poor access and quality of ECD. Even before conception, starting with a mother’s health and social economic conditions, the early years of a child’s life form a fundamental foundation that determines whether a child will survive and thrive optimally.