A Tribute to Violet Gladys Matani
21 June 1947 – 14 October 2023
Today we gather to remember and give thanks for the life of Violet Gladys Matani- a woman of deep faith, humble leadership, and steadfast service to God, the Methodist church, and women across the world.
Violet was instrumental in establishing the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women (WFMUCW) in Zimbabwe, being one driving the formation of the Zimbabwe WFMUCW Fellowship which now meets annually to celebrate the work of God in the communities we serve. After the 1986 World Assembly in Nairobi, she was called to lead the Methodist Women Fellowship of the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe Unit. Her humility, discipline, and clear commitment to God’s mission made her the right vessel for that work.
With a servant’s heart, Violet travelled across Zimbabwe to encourage, teach, and strengthen women. Under her guidance the MCZ women fellowship grew into a vibrant movement of 14000 women focused on the welfare of the girl child, women’s empowerment, health and education. She was also one of the pioneers who introduced the branded World Federation fabric that is now worn with pride across the globe.
She also served as MCZ Ruwadzano Fundraiser Chairperson and was deeply involved in the development of the MCZ Ruwadzano Women’s Centre. She supported the vision of empowerment that embraced spiritual, mental, physical and financial wellbeing. Violet understood that resources, when offered faithfully, become instruments of mission, care and transformation.
Those who worked closely with her remember her as efficient, generous, gracious and dependable. For Violet fellowship was built on prayer, planning, accountability, and coming together. Her own home was often a place of meeting, planning, and mutual encouragement.
In the World of World Federation, Violet proudly represented MCZ. She served as a voting delegate to World Assemblies in Korea in 2006 and Johannesburg South Africa in 2011. She also attended Assemblies in Texas and virtually during Covid, and Area Meetings in South Africa, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Zambia. She celebrated with great joy when her colleague Sipiwe Chisvo, was installed as World President in 2022.
Violet Gladys Matani leaves us a legacy of faith in action, leadership with humility, and service given in love. We thank God for her life, for a woman she raised up, and for the witness she leaves in our church and in our hearts. May her memory continue to inspire and bless us.
Amen.
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