FOR most people in influential positions in society, leisure means playing golf or trotting through holiday resorts but Monica Mandiki is a down-to-earth character who enjoys visiting the countryside when she is not busy.
She heads the Zimbabwean chapter of the Southern Africa HIV and Aids Information Dissemination Services (SafAids) — a revered position that would make someone proud to the marrow and showy.
For Mandiki, that coveted position means a growing passion for hardwork and an endless craving to meet objectives.
But what breaks her heart is that she does not see herself fulfilling the goals that she has set for herself and the organisation because there is so much ground to be covered yet resources are always scarce.
She reminded me of a Biblical verse that highlights something about a plentiful harvest and few labourers (Luke chapter 10 v 2) when she talked about this desire to cover every remote part of the country.
Well, there was no time to recall the exact details of the verse because Mandiki speaks with a passion that makes you like to listen and ask at the same time.
Mandiki’s eyes burn with emotion as she talks about the major challenges facing SafAids. 
A challenge to deliver the latest information on HIV and Aids to everyone before subsequent research findings are delivered to her desk — again awaiting dispatch into the community.
The only SafAids office in the country has about 20 employees and they have to work through many other organisations to disseminate information to various parts of the country.
“Our role is to spread information on HIV and Aids and other health issues related to the virus but the major challenge is to get that information to every remote corner of the country and ensure that we influence behavioural change,” Mandiki lamented.
“Although research shows that the rate of infection has decreased commendably in the country, the need for information keeps growing because there is always new research and our desire is to see new infections completely erased.”
It is such a desire and commitment that has kept her a simple person.
She likes to socialise and hang out with friends and her favourite destination is the rural area.
“I just like it in the rural areas.
“I might be at a friend’s home or at my home.
“I like to see people going through their chores and join them at times. It is my way of relaxing and I enjoy it very much.”
She also likes to dance to African music when she is in the mood for real fun.
Like most women with so much pride in their African values, Mandiki has a heart for pots and pans — she likes cooking and eating traditional dishes.
And when she is not in the office, kitchen or at her rural home the single mother of three would be reading.
But most of her time is spent at the office where her passion lies.
Even the way that spacious office in Avondale is decorated and furnished tells you the value that she attaches to the work done in this room.
It also speaks volumes about the smart lady she is.
You can tell it even from her dressing. She is one of those professional ladies that feel comfortable in dark colours.
She always makes sure it is smart and fitting.
Well, this might be a tale of passion, simplicity and smartness but Mandiki’s life has been a journey of more virtues.
A lot has happened in her rise from being a general nurse to this position — her proper title in the regional organisation is Country Representative, Zimbabwe. 
Ironically, the current SafAids regional executive director, Lois Chingundu, was in this very office only two years ago.
Chingundu is now based at the organisation’s headquarters in Pretoria.
Back to Mandiki’s rise, she was born Monica Gwakwara in Chirumanzu where she also grew up.
She did her nursing diploma at Harare Hospital in the mid-1970s and worked for the government for 16 years.
She attained a degree in health education and joined the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council before moving to Zimbabwe Aids Prevention and Support Network.
Mandiki also worked for the United Nations Population Fund, World Vision and International Labour Organisation.
She now holds a Master’s Degree in Health and Adult Education.
She believes her motivation to continue with her studies came from her father.
“After failing to get enough points at A’ Level to go to university my father said he would never forgive me until I gave him a university certificate.
“When I got my first degree and handed him the certificate he simply said ‘you are now forgiven.’”

BY GODWIN MUZARI

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