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Local roots. Led by the people who live here.

Afro Edge Zimbabwe is a registered non-profit in Victoria Falls. We are youth-driven and women-focused, and we work with communities that live alongside wildlife on health, education, the environment and social services.

Volunteers and local staff standing together in front of a building

Who we are.

Afro Edge began as a set of volunteer work camps in 2009 and became an organisation in 2012. We are different from other volunteer organisations because we link volunteering directly to development: the people who come to help, and the people who live here, work as partners.

Our mission. To work with communities that live alongside wildlife, led by young people and women, so that families are healthier, children learn, the environment is cared for and households can cope with shocks.

Our vision. Communities alongside wildlife that lead their own change, and a world where people of every age, race, sex and religion take part in doing good.

Our story.

2009
International work camps
Afro Edge begins as international work camps in Victoria Falls, bringing volunteers and local people together to work on community projects.
2012
Afro Edge is founded
In February the work camps become an organisation, built on one idea: link volunteering to real development, and share skills across cultures.
2012 on
Health, schools and young people
Hospital and clinic support, psychosocial camps for children affected by HIV, school renovation and early childhood development, and youth sport across Hwange District.
2019
A sanitation plan for Chidobe Ward
A community-led plan to end open defecation in the ward closest to Victoria Falls, starting from a baseline survey of every household.
Today
Waste, food and work
With Pristine Victoria Falls Society we run a circular economy in Victoria Falls, and our programmes now centre on young people and women.

Why Victoria Falls and Hwange

A famous place. A fragile edge.

Victoria Falls draws visitors from around the world. A few kilometres away, in the wards of Hwange District, families live with the same sun, the same wildlife and far fewer buffers. Three forces shape their lives.

A changing climate
Temperatures are rising and the rains are shorter and less reliable. Farming, water and health all feel it first in rural households.
Living with wildlife
Elephants are part of life in Victoria Falls and Hwange. They are a wonder, and also a risk to crops, water and safety for people living alongside wildlife.
An economy of shocks
Prices, jobs and school fees move with forces far away. A tourism town gains and loses quickly, and the poorest households have no cushion.

How we work.

Young people lead. The Sizinda composting farm is run by young people. We train them, back them, and put them on the teams that decide.

Women are the focus. Women carry the care of children and elders as well as much of the household income. Our programmes are designed with and for them.

Communities decide. We start with what residents say they need, and build with local materials, local labour and local partners.

Volunteers help pay for it. Volunteer placement fees fund our programmes, and volunteers bring skills the community asks for.

What we stand for.

TransparencyWe show where money goes and what it achieves.
IntegrityWe do what we say, and we say what we do.
AccountabilityWe answer to the communities we serve, to partners and to donors.
Trust and creativityAn open culture where local ideas are tried and shared.

Board of directors.

The board sets direction and holds us to account.

Chairperson
Douglas Musiringofa
A social entrepreneur and community development specialist with more than 17 years of experience, beginning as a non-profit volunteer. Started community development work in Hwange District and designed youth leadership and economic empowerment programmes. Secured a US$500,000 grant with the Roger Federer Foundation and Child Protection Society for early childhood development in more than 50 primary schools, and supports over 1,000 young people through an HIV/AIDS education programme.
Vice Chairperson
Sthabile Daka-Mungombe
A University of Dundee graduate and admitted lawyer with nine years in private practice and as a public prosecutor, followed by four years in tourism and hospitality with Wild-Horizons. A humanitarian volunteer and champion of community development and the empowerment of the girl child.
Secretary
Senzelwe Jubane
With the Ministry of Health and Child Care since 2003, in clerical and counselling roles. Holds a degree in HIV/AIDS Management and Community Development and counselling certifications, and is studying for a Masters in Counselling. A leading advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities, and a member of the Child Welfare Council of Zimbabwe.
Treasurer
Kudakwashe Epraim Mugwenhi
An accounting professional with a BSc Honours in Applied Accounting and more than nine years in the non-profit sector. Has worked with donors including USAID, Save the Children, UNICEF, SIDA, DFID and the Roger Federer Foundation, and currently manages a US$3 million annual grant.
Committee Member
Conleav Nyathi
Raised in Victoria Falls. Head of Sales and Reservations at Zambezi Helicopter Company and pastor of the Lion of Judah City Churches International branch in Victoria Falls since 2016. Studying Marketing Management at Lupane State University, and runs a small farm in Matetsi that produces about 3,500 kg of vegetables a month.
Committee Member
Alice Mposi
An environmental research scientist and conservationist with a BSc Honours in Biological Sciences, recognised by the Painted Dog Research Trust. Has worked on invasive species since 2019 and has three years in environmental management, including animal tracking, education programmes and awareness campaigns. Wants to bring more young people into environmental work.
Committee Member
Prince Moyo
A community development practitioner with 14 years across tourism, hospitality and development, and a BSc in Development Studies. Has supported Mosi Oa Tunya Leos, menstrual hygiene, arts development and cancer awareness work, with experience in social development programmes and monitoring and evaluation.

Governance and transparency.

Afro Edge Zimbabwe is registered as a non-profit organisation in Zimbabwe, number PVO 01/24. We hold a seat on the board of Pristine Victoria Falls Society, our community partner.

We publish our reports and policies so that donors and partners can check our work.