How one woman changed Chiwenga's image without even trying

IN Zimbabwe's fierce political arena, where reputations are shaped by coups, crackdowns, and corruption scandals, Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga has long been viewed as a tough enforcer - the "People's General" who masterminded the 2017 coup that ended Robert Mugabe's long rule. 

His image is tied to a stern military persona, linked to claims of violent protest suppression in 2018 and 2019 and the harsh eviction of small-scale miners in Chiadzwa during the diamond rush.

Yet, as Zimbabwe faces soaring inflation over 500% in 2025, constant power cuts, and youth unemployment at 95 percent, a gentle shift has emerged in how people see Chiwenga. 

Enter Colonel Miniyothabo "Minnie" Baloyi-Chiwenga, his wife since their 2022 marriage - a soldier, businesswoman, Mandarin teacher, and social media savant whose graceful presence has quietly softened her husband's hard image. She's helped present him as a relatable family man and a fighter against corruption, not just a power-driven leader.

This change isn't a planned publicity campaign by Baloyi herself; it's a natural result of her genuine, multifaceted public life. 

With her military background and business skills, Baloyi didn't set out to fix Chiwenga's reputation amid the fierce internal battles splitting Zanu PF. 

Her actions - rooted in her Christian faith, pride in Zimbabwean culture, and professional drive - have naturally provided a human touch to his strict legacy. 

This has drawn in supporters who might otherwise see him as an outdated figure from the liberation struggle turned oppressor. 

As of September 2025, with tensions rising over who will succeed President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Baloyi's quiet influence has positioned Chiwenga as a "lone voice" against corruption, boosting his appeal among rural voters, military supporters, and even some frustrated city residents.

This softer image isn't accepted by everyone - many sceptics see it as Zanu PF theatrics - but the shift is clear, measurable in social media activity, informal polls, and changing stories that portray Chiwenga as a reformed leader rather than just the man behind the coup.

Take Baloyi's clever branding and public presence, which have quietly made Chiwenga more human by blending patriotism, faith, and family into his story. 

Her Facebook page, with over 200 000 followers, is a platform for Bible-inspired posts, patriotic cartoons, and glimpses of their home life - elements that gently chip away at views of Chiwenga as a cold military man. 

In August, during their appearance at the Chalo Zimbabwe event in Surat, India, Baloyi's elegant style alongside Chiwenga showed unity and global polish, countering claims that Mnangagwa's government is out of touch.

Her heartfelt social media post in June celebrating their third wedding anniversary - including explanations of their cultural outfits - sparked widespread praise, with users calling her a "true gem" who has "brought new life to a legacy." 

These posts come from her real passions for education, business, and spirituality, not political plotting. 

Yet, naturally, they reshape Chiwenga: from a man whose ex-wife Marry Mubaiwa faced a public health crisis amid corruption charges, to a devoted husband in a stable, faith-filled marriage. 

This resonates strongly in rural areas and among military supporters, where her photos in camouflage feel authentic, making Chiwenga seem more approachable.

Random checks of sentiment on social media show a rise in positive mentions of Chiwenga since early 2025, often linked to Baloyi's "warrior queen" image.

Beyond her social media savvy, Baloyi has become a rising style and fashion icon in Zimbabwe, stepping into the gap left by Grace Mugabe's extravagant era with far more grace and restraint. 

While Grace was called "Gucci Grace" for her flashy luxury spending - seen as insensitive during widespread poverty - Baloyi promotes a refined, culturally rooted style through her fashion boutique, Style By Minnie. It focuses on clothing that blends traditional Zimbabwean designs with modern flair.

Her Instagram showcases outfits inspired by Ndebele colours and patterns, like the Olympic team wear she highlighted this year, or her explanations of symbolic traditional attire worn with Chiwenga at official events. Nominated for the Emerging Brands in Africa award, Baloyi has recruited high-profile ambassadors like musician Tamy Moyo, footballer Khama Billiat, and influencer Madam Boss, making her brand aspirational yet relatable. 

Her poised approach - seen in her military camouflage outfits that show quiet confidence rather than excess - marks her as a pioneer in Zimbabwe's fashion and beauty scene, far surpassing Grace's divisive extravagance with a style that celebrates national pride and empowerment.

This stylish persona is a big part of Baloyi's appeal, capturing a younger, urban audience tired of political overindulgence while winning over traditionalists with her embrace of heritage. 

By promoting Zimbabwean designers and cultural symbols, she fosters a sense of national unity and ambition, subtly boosting Chiwenga's image as part of a modern, grounded power couple. 

Her fashion-icon status - strengthened by partnerships with figures like Miss Universe Zimbabwe - adds a glamour that humanises the vice president, turning him from a figure of fear to one of quiet respect, without the backlash that haunted Grace's era.

Baloyi's handling of scandals further shows her natural role in improving Chiwenga's image. Last year she lost nearly US$1 million to fraudsters in a property scam, which could have reinforced stereotypes of elite corruption within Zanu PF. Instead, her open response - publicly warning fans about fake TikTok accounts and calling for anti-fraud measures - turned a weakness into a show of strength. 

This poise, rooted in her military training rather than political cunning, quietly protects Chiwenga from similar accusations tied to his past, like mismanaging assets during his army days. 

Analysts call her a "firewall" against factional "vultures," a term echoed on X where users praise her for "quietly polishing her husband's image." In May 2025, amid rumours of personal tensions, Baloyi's calm public presence debunked gossip, shifting focus to Chiwenga's anti-corruption speeches. 

His talks condemning "tenderpreneurs" and "hyena-like looters" at events like the ZANU PF congress in Gweru gain traction partly because Baloyi's stable image paints him as principled, not opportunistic.

Her personal strength naturally makes him seem more relatable, turning potential weaknesses into a story of shared resilience. 

Public sentiment on social media platforms like Facebook and X highlights this gentle shift. While urban sceptics mock Zanu  PF infighting as "Game of Thrones" drama, with Chiwenga's post-coup power seen as tied to Mnangagwa's failures, Baloyi's influence has sparked positive talk. 

Posts from September 2025 call Chiwenga "the most influential man in Zimbabwe," admired for his discipline, with Baloyi's family-focused content amplifying this. Cultural tributes, like songs at her events supporting his succession bid, show grassroots excitement, naturally boosted by her business ventures that present the couple as economic visionaries amid national hardship. 

Her Mandarin skills and China connections further strengthen Chiwenga's foreign policy credentials, moderating his image as an old-school liberation figure by linking him to modern global partnerships. In rural areas, her low-key charity work for women's empowerment wins over voters tired of Zanu PF's male-dominated image, boosting Chiwenga's approval by 10-15 percent according to online data.

Professionally, Baloyi's alignment with Chiwenga's role naturally enhances his standing. 

As a colonel, her military background mirrors his, adding authenticity to his "People's General" title without weakening his authority. 

Her September 2025 appearances with him, without heavy security, project a sense of normalcy - a stark contrast to the armoured convoys that symbolise elite detachment. This subtly polishes Chiwenga's image amid corruption scandals targeting Mnangagwa's allies like Wicknell Chivayo, positioning him as a reformer. Her presence at factional events, quietly rallying support, further smoothens perceptions, framing him as a "steady successor" rather than a ruthless contender. 

This natural reshaping aligns with how authoritarian regimes often use spouses to bridge gaps with the public.

Baloyi's military credentials make her a strong asset, naturally turning Chiwenga's baggage into a story of renewal.

Looking at history, Baloyi's impact echoes how women have positively shaped their spouses' political images, acting as assets to boost legitimacy and appeal in some cases. 

In the United States, Jacqueline Kennedy's elegance turned John F. Kennedy from a playboy senator into a glamorous family figure, her White House charm lifting his approval to 70 percent during the Cold War, cementing his legacy after his death. Similarly, Eleanor Roosevelt's activism softened Franklin D. Roosevelt's elite image during the Great Depression, her civil rights work rallying women and minorities, often making her more popular than him. 

Nancy Reagan's "Just Say No" anti-drug campaign and protective nature helped Ronald Reagan recover from the Iran-Contra scandal, framing his conservatism as caring family values, boosting his ratings from 40 percent to over 60 percent.

In Africa, Janet Museveni's steady partnership has stabilised Yoweri Museveni's image in Uganda as a strong anchor against chaos, while Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma's role initially strengthened Jacob Zuma's cultural appeal in South Africa's Zulu areas. Again in America, Michelle Obama's health campaigns made Barack Obama more relatable, boosting support among minorities. 

Likewise, Xi Jinping's wife, Peng Liyuan, softens his strict image in China through her opera fame and cultural diplomacy. Like Baloyi, these women - whether naturally or deliberately - act as emotional anchors, deflect scandals, and rally key groups, proving spouses can be crucial in sustaining or boosting political fortunes.

This argument holds: Women like Baloyi are assets when their authenticity aligns with national values, making leaders more human without excess. 

Baloyi's Christian faith and service contrast elite detachment, fostering unity; her resilience turns scandals into strength, like Eleanor handling FDR's personal issues. In divided societies, such spouses bridge gaps - Jackie's glamour united 1960s America, much as Baloyi's cultural posts rally Zimbabwe's fractured society. They amplify policies: as Nancy's anti-drug stance supported Reagan's conservatism, Baloyi's anti-fraud advocacy backs Chiwenga's anti-corruption drive. Demographically, they mobilise key groups - Michelle's outreach to minorities mirrors Baloyi's women's initiatives. Globally, Peng's soft diplomacy parallels Baloyi's China ties, enhancing international standing. 

This asset model works because it's genuine - Baloyi's natural efforts show authentic influence outperforms forced rebrands, sustaining power in unstable settings.

Needless to say, the opposite shows spouses as liabilities when excess or ambition worsens flaws. 

Grace Mugabe's "Gucci Grace" extravagance - spending millions on luxuries amid hunger - alienated Zanu PF elites, symbolising regime decay and partly fuelling the 2017 coup. Her attacks on rivals like Mnangagwa heightened perceptions of dynastic plans, speeding up Mugabe's fall. Marie Antoinette's opulence during France's crisis, famously tied to "let them eat cake," destroyed Louis XVI's monarchy, sparking the 1789 Revolution. In the Philippines, Imelda Marcos's shoe obsession symbolised Ferdinand Marcos's corruption, hastening his 1986 ouster. 

The advocacy of Casey DeSantis - an American former journalist who has been the first lady of Florida since 2019, as the wife of Governor Ron DeSantis - echoes similar themes, as it risked overreach, polarising Ron DeSantis's campaigns. 

These liabilities amplify detachment, inviting backlash. Grace's excess contributed to Mugabe's downfall, just as Marie's ignorance sealed the French royals' fate. In Zimbabwe's unstable landscape, even assets like Baloyi risk this if political winds change, but her grounded approach suggests strength over ruin.

In summary, Baloyi's subtle, positive effect on Chiwenga's image offers hope in Zimbabwe's turmoil, but history warns: spousal influence is a double-edged sword, capable of building empires or toppling them. 

Public moods are unpredictable, and the same spotlight that flatters can quickly burn. Today, Minnie is celebrated as Zimbabwe's darling, but one mistake - a flashy display of wealth, a careless comment, a scandal - could turn her into another "Gucci Grace." 

Marie Antoinette's fate shows how fast admiration can turn to resentment, while Grace Mugabe's fall reveals how glamour can become toxic.

For now, Minnie Baloyi has given Zimbabwe something rare: a political spouse who inspires respect rather than mockery, curiosity rather than scorn. 

She's polished Chiwenga's image, softened the tough general, and made him seem approachable. In Harare, people say "Minnie is stylish with respect." In Johannesburg, they nod, "She's proper, shame." Across the region, she's watched as a rising African style icon.

The former army boss couldn't have asked for a better rebrand. Through Minnie, he's been reshaped into something new: a man seen through a lens of warmth and elegance, not stone cold military distance. Whether this lasts is anyone's guess, but for now, Minnie is winning. And in politics, perception is power.