Actress, politician, and human rights advocate from Zimbabwe, Sheila Chikomo is the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. She is a close associate of President Emmerson Mnangagwa and one of the most prominent and youthful members of the ruling ZANU-PF party. In addition, she represents Harare East in parliament, a seat she obtained in the general elections of 2023.
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Sheila Chikomo Overview
About Sheila Chikomo
Sheila Chikomo was born in Zimbabwe's capital city of Harare in 1989 (she will be 35 years old as of 2024). She is Christian and a member of the Shona ethnic group. She was raised with her parents and two siblings in a middle-class home. Her mother was a teacher, while her father worked for the government. She was a standout student at the exclusive Catholic girls' school in Harare, St. Dominic's High School, where she was also perfect in extracurricular activities. She led the debate team as captain and was the head girl at her school.
Sheila showed an early interest in law and politics. People who battled for democracy and human rights in their nations, such as Aung San Suu Kyi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Nelson Mandela, served as inspiration for her. She also respected the leadership of Zimbabwe's previous president, Robert Mugabe, who guided the nation out of British colonial control in 1980.
Chikomo attended the University of Zimbabwe to continue her studies, and in 2011 she graduated with a Bachelor of Laws. She then studied at the University of Cape Town in South Africa, where she graduated in 2013 with a Master of Laws. Her thesis focused on the African Union's role in advancing democracy and peace throughout the continent, and she was an expert in international human rights law.
Net Worth of Sheila Chikomo
Achievements
Sheila Chikomo started as a human rights activist and lawyer. She was employed by several civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations that promoted the rights of minorities, women, and children in Zimbabwe. In the legal system, she also defended several victims of political violence and human rights abuses. She became known for being a bold and outspoken attorney who stood up to Robert Mugabe and his supporters' totalitarian rule.
In 2015, she became a member of the ZANU-PF party, having been attracted by the reforming policies of Emmerson Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe's vice president at the time. After joining the party's youth wing, she advanced through the ranks to take on the role of national secretary for legal issues. She also joined the politburo and central committee of the party, which are its two highest decision-making bodies.
Chikomo ran as the ZANU-PF candidate in the general elections of 2023 for the Harare East seat, which was thought to be a bastion of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party. The current MDC MP, Tendai Biti, a well-known opponent of the ZANU-PF administration and a former finance minister, posed a serious threat to her. Sheila, however, emerged victorious with a mere 51% of the vote, making history as one of Zimbabwe's youngest members of parliament.
In 2023, President Emmerson Mnangagwa named her as the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. She was appointed as the cabinet's youngest and sole female deputy minister. She is in charge of managing economic agreements, regional integration, and diplomatic ties for the nation. She also helps to carry out the government's Vision 2030, which intends to make Zimbabwe an upper-middle-income nation by 2030.
Sheila has played a significant role in enhancing Zimbabwe's standing and image abroad. She has been actively seeking assistance and collaboration for Zimbabwe's economic development and recovery from several nations and organizations. She has also been a proponent of lifting the sanctions that the US and the EU placed on Zimbabwe, which have severely damaged the nation's economy and impacted the lives of millions of people living there.
Additionally, she has been an advocate for gender equality and women's empowerment in Zimbabwe and throughout Africa. She is a part of the Women in Leadership Network of the African Union, which works to advance the involvement and representation of women in politics and government. For many young women and girls who want to work in politics and the legal field, she serves as a mentor and role model.
Family
Sheila Chikomo got married to a philanthropist and businessman. The son and daughter of the couple are their offspring. They reside in the Harare neighborhood of Borrowdale in an opulent property. She is well-known for leading an opulent lifestyle and for enjoying fashion and travel. Her social media profiles have millions of followers, and she frequently shares images and videos of her family and travels there.
Sheila Chikomo Controversies
Sheila Chikomo's reputation and image have been damaged by her involvement in several scandals and controversies. Her political rivals and several media outlets have accused her of corruption, nepotism, and power abuse. She has also been accused of having adulterous affairs with several well-known members of the business and government communities. All of these charges have been refuted by her, who also asserted that they are part of a smear effort aimed at undermining her accomplishments.
5 Facts about Sheila Chikomo:
1. Youthful Influence:
Born in 1989, Sheila Chikomo is a rising political figure at the age of 35 (as of 2024). Despite her youth, she has become one of the most influential members of the ruling ZANU-PF party in Zimbabwe.
2. Educational Excellence:
Chikomo holds an impressive educational background. She earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Zimbabwe in 2011 and later completed a Master of Laws degree at the University of Cape Town in 2013, specializing in international human rights law.
3. Political Transformation:
Initially associated with the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Chikomo shifted her allegiance to ZANU-PF in 2015, inspired by the reformist agenda of Emmerson Mnangagwa, then the vice president of Zimbabwe. Her quick ascent within the party saw her rise to key positions, showcasing her political acumen.
4. Historic Electoral Win:
Chikomo contested and won the Harare East constituency in the 2023 general elections as a ZANU-PF candidate. Her victory marked a significant achievement as she managed to secure a stronghold traditionally associated with the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
5. Diplomatic Leadership:
Appointed as the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in 2023, Sheila Chikomo became the youngest and only female deputy minister in the cabinet. Her role involves overseeing diplomatic relations, and trade agreements, and contributing to the realization of Zimbabwe's Vision 2030.
FAQs
1. When was Sheila Chikomo born?
Sheila Chikomo was born in 1989, making her 35 years old as of 2024.
2. What is Sheila Chikomo's educational background?
Chikomo holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Zimbabwe and a Master of Laws degree specializing in international human rights law from the University of Cape Town.
3. In which constituency did Sheila Chikomo contest and win in the 2023 general elections?
Sheila Chikomo contested and won the Harare East constituency in the 2023 general elections.
4. What is Sheila Chikomo's role as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade?
Appointed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2023, Chikomo's responsibilities include overseeing Zimbabwe's diplomatic relations, and trade agreements, and contributing to the implementation of the government's Vision 2030.
5. Is Sheila Chikomo affiliated with any political party?
Sheila Chikomo is associated with the ZANU-PF party, having joined in 2015 after being impressed by the reformist agenda of Emmerson Mnangagwa. She has held key positions within the party, showcasing her commitment and influence.
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