Zimbabwe-born refugee becomes Mayor of Medway

A Zimbabwe-born refugee who grew up in poverty relying on charity shops and donated clothes has been elected mayor of Medway, describing the mayoral chain as the "ultimate hand-me-down".

Douglas Hamandishe, a Labour councillor and practising nurse, was officially elected mayor of Medway for the next 12 months and pledged to help build a "stronger and more unified" community.

The 51-year-old reflected emotionally on his journey from a difficult childhood in Thornton Heath to one of the highest civic offices in the Kent authority.

Hamandishe fled Zimbabwe - then Rhodesia - with his family during the liberation war of the 1960s and 1970s. He grew up alongside his three sisters in Britain, where the family depended heavily on charity and community support.

"Times were hard. We survived courtesy of charity shops, hand-me-downs, and the good faith of the British public," he said during his acceptance speech.

"Every other Saturday, my mother would go to St Andrew's Church jumble sale and would come back with black plastic bags with clothes, toys and books.

"As she distributed the clothes to us, my mother would require just two things: our gratitude and the answer to the question – ‘Does it fit?'"

Drawing a comparison between his upbringing and his new office, Hamandishe added: "Today, I find myself in a somewhat elevated position, wearing the ultimate hand-me-down from all the previous mayors. I don't take that lightly at all."

The new mayor, who represents Gillingham North ward, said he wants his tenure to leave Medway better prepared for the future.

"When I hand back this chain, Medway must be stronger, more unified, and ready for what comes next," he said.

Hamandishe also highlighted ongoing challenges facing the area, including deprivation and health inequalities, issues he says must be openly acknowledged and addressed.

His chosen charities during his mayoral year include Wisdom Hospice, Chatham Royal Marines' Cadets and The Sunlight Development Trust, which operates the Sunlight Centre in Gillingham.

He also pledged support for The Legend on the Bench, a mental health initiative that installs benches in public parks displaying information on where people can seek emotional support.

Hamandishe said he would like to see at least one of the benches placed in every park across Medway.

He will be assisted during his term by Sharon Jackson, who was elected deputy mayor. They take over from former civic leaders Trevor Clarke and Wayne Spring.