The Uphill Battle for Economic Freedom: The Story of Qoki Women of Zimbabwe

The challenges of trying to gain economic freedom as women in Africa are not limited to having to fight against some men who are bent on denying you that freedom to keep you dependent and subservient. You also have to deal with your own fellow sisters - some of whom would rather burn down the entire house to kill a mosquito, or simply dislike the idea of other women doing things for themselves.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the Qoki Women's Project of Zimbabwe. When the Qoki project began and people learned about it, its women were applauded as African economic superheroes - breaking away from patriarchal norms to take initiative.

In reality, across Africa, women have always been the backbone of families, carrying the financial burden even though this has not been widely acknowledged.

They are farmers, vendors, seamstresses, traders - doing everything possible to support their families, often even when men are present.

What many of Qoki's supporters and detractors did not realise was that behind the videos and photos of the impressive projects initiated and led by Qoki women in Zimbabwe, they were facing numerous challenges beyond their control.

Starting and running such projects is not easy - even for men - anywhere in Africa. It is even harder in a country like Zimbabwe, which has faced decades of economic isolation and sanctions, and particularly difficult for a group of women in a patriarchal society.

Zimbabwe is like many other countries in the world when it comes to patriarchy. It becomes even more difficult when men expect sexual favors before supporting or approving projects by women.

When a group of African women defies misogynistic stereotypes and shows their communities that it's possible to rise without lowering themselves or lying on their backs, they become a threat. The Qoki women and their leaders became exactly that - a threat to such men.

Sithule Tshuma and other Qoki women famously confronted Zimbabwean government officials at an investors' meeting in Harare (which was filmed), complaining that the government was too slow or reluctant to fulfill its promises to Qoki women and other diaspora-led investment projects.

This was reported by Zimbabwean media. There was clear frustration at that meeting: the government publicly claimed that Zimbabwe was open for business, yet placed obstacles in the path of initiatives like Qoki.

None of the attacks against Qoki projects have revealed any factual evidence of wrongdoing. Instead, they have centered on misogynistic personal attacks against one of the programme's main founders, Sithule Tshuma.

It is telling that she is being criticised and mocked for "coming from a poor background in rural Lupane," as if that were something shameful. The fact that a girl from such a background could grow up to lead a major initiative like the Qoki Women's Project is not seen as admirable by those behind such attacks.

She has been described in these attacks as a "poorly trained mental health nurse," as if the male writer of that misogynistic attack were her professor who marked her assignments. If he were, then he would be responsible for her "poor training."

The fact that these social media attacks focus on personal matters reveals the absence of any real substance in the allegations. In fact, some of these claims were recently tested in court, where the Qoki women won. Courts deal with evidence; social media often deals with unfounded rumors and fabrications.

The only real "problem" with the Qoki Women's Project is that it became too successful, attracting many investors. Some people are not comfortable with taking investment risks. Additionally, many Africans remain suspicious of investments - especially when the people leading them are Black. This is a colonial legacy. We were made to believe we couldn't succeed without European support. It is even harder for women like those leading the Qoki Project, as they are often expected to first seek approval and support from the men in their communities.

The Qoki Zindlovukazi Community Group is a non-profit organisation. One only needs to visit their website to see some of their projects. With the right support, this project could serve as a model for women - not just in Africa, but around the world.

The Qoki women came together to buy land because it was cheaper to do so collectively. Unfortunately, they encountered inflated prices on the original land - a common issue where laws are not strictly enforced. Still, even with these mark-ups, they managed to purchase the land.

The plan and agreement were that all members would share the development costs until each individual received their own title deed. The land was kept under the ownership of Qoki as an entity because it had not yet been subdivided for individual members.

Along the way, some men on social media - likely threatened by the idea of Zimbabwean women purchasing land without male financial backing - began spreading false rumours about the Qoki Women's Projects, especially its land programme.

Among the false claims were that the land was in one Sithule Tshuma's name - it isn't. That she owns two mansions in Cheshire - not true. That she bought Range Rovers with cash - also false. There are strict anti-money laundering laws in the UK that make such cash purchases nearly impossible.

Some even claimed the land didn't exist. When they later saw that it did, they changed their narrative to say it was in her name - again, untrue.

The reason Qoki hasn't been able to transfer ownership of the land to some of the members who now want to opt out is because in each group, only a few members are disgruntled while the rest are happy to stick to the original plan. Also, Qoki must finish the project since subdivision permits have already been obtained. The land cannot be sold as one large piece - no one in Zimbabwe has that kind of money.

So Qoki has found developers to help complete the project. Once done, the stands will be sold and refunds issued to those who want out.

There were permit delays and obstacles - some caused by instigators who tried to have Qoki's permits revoked. The matter went to court, and Qoki women won.

Understandably, some investors in Qoki projects are frustrated by the slow - or lack of - progress. Investing in Zimbabwe is, sadly, risky, especially if you're not on the ground. Almost all Qoki women are based outside Zimbabwe.

When the Zimbabwean government says the country is open for business, it must go beyond slogans and remove real obstacles for projects like Qoki.

These women are driven by love for their country and communities - not money or fame. In fact, these projects have cost them many sleepless nights as they work to see the fruits of their labour.

It is deeply unfair that well-connected men can operate easily in Zimbabwe, only to spend their earnings on luxuries abroad, while women committed to community development face constant roadblocks.