The late Cde Betty Mtero, (née Chikowore) was born on the 16th of May 1932 in Shurugwi.
She was the first Zimbabwean to be appointed assistant training officer for women under the Ministry of Internal Affairs in 1964.
During the demobilisation period, Amai Mtero welcomed many freedom fighters back from the bush assisting them in integration back into society.
One of the groups she received was led by then Chief Commander Cde C. G. D. N. Chiwenga, the current Vice President of Zimbabwe.
Cde Mtero’s passion for community development saw her participating in various initiatives which included:
●District commissioner for the Girl Guides Association.
●Chairperson of the Harare Hospital Advisory Welfare Board.
●Treasurer for the Child Survival Development Foundation, Harare Province Chapter.
Amai Mutero trained several communities, mentoring notable political leaders such as comrades Shuvai Mahofa (late) and Josiah D. Hungwe.
Cde Mtero also became a member of the Dairy Marketing Board of Zimbabwe as well as the Board of Governors for Moleli High School.
Cde Mtero facilitated the implementation of income generating projects.She also coordinated the Grassroots Empowerment Project. Cde Mtero was a long serving member of the ZANU (PF) Central Committee.
She served as Central Committee Secretary for Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment in the Women’s League.
In 2014, she was awarded the Outstanding Women Award for supporting women enterprise by the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce.
Cde Mtero’s community work saw her travelling locally to the most remote parts of the country, regionally and internationally.
In 2008, Amai Mtero was awarded the Ndichiri Mupenyu Award by the Women Filmmakers of Zimbabwe for her contribution to gender empowerment.
She received an Honorary Masters’ Degree in Community Development
from the Women’s University in Africa the following year.
