Patricia Petudzai Mapani, 61, a United Methodist from Harare, was elected world vice president of the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women on Aug. 27 at the organization’s world assembly in Auckland, New Zealand.
The Chisipiti United Methodist Church member has held several leadership positions in the organization over the past two decades.
She served as president of the South and East Africa Area 2022-2026 and vice president of the area 2016-2022. Before that, Mapani was The United Methodist Church in Zimbabwe’s unit coordinator for eight years.
“I am driven by passion to support, encourage, empower women and girls and being the voice of the voiceless,” she told UM News.
“It was a very tight election and I felt most humbled to have been chosen. I am still in awe. I am very thankful to the Almighty God for the opportunity to serve at a global level,” Mapani said.
As area president she expanded the area from eight to 18 units, increased attendance at seminars and established the Africa University Scholarship Fund, which enables disadvantaged young women to pursue higher education. She also introduced monthly dawn prayer meetings that are held virtually and have strengthened spiritual life of members in the area.
Her vision is to faithfully strengthen the federation by supporting the world president, coordinating materials and United Nations programs, promoting prayer, women’s empowerment and sustainable partnerships, and safeguarding and sustaining Christ’s transforming mission through hope, unity and love.
Chikwanah is a UM News correspondent based in Harare, Zimbabwe.
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