Area Trustee Beds, Essex & Herts, London and South East
Annah Zodwa is Area Trustee for Beds, Essex and Herts, London, and the South East.
Born into a family of nine girls in the village of Senka in Gweru, Zimbabwe, my background is deeply rooted in both Malawian and Zimbabwean heritage. My father came to Zimbabwe as a young boy from Malawi, where he met my mother and settled down.
I am a mum of three and grandma of three. Currently residing in the village of Church Crookham in Hampshire, I moved to the UK in July 2001 to attend the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women (WFMUCW) conference at Loughborough University. At that time, I was serving as the Unit Correspondent for Zimbabwe, a role that underscored my commitment to women’s empowerment and social justice. Previously, I worked as the National Treasurer for the Ruwadzano/Manyano women’s organization of the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe, where I championed numerous projects focused on women’s rights, charity work, and the promotion of the girl child. Additionally, I served as a youth advisor at my local church and I am a trained local preacher in Zimbabwe. I currently preach within my local circuit Hants, Surrey & Borders and my local society is Fleet Methodist Church.
My professional journey began in diverse industries, including banking, car manufacturing, small business financing, ferrochrome production, and hospitality. However, my move to the UK marked a turning point in my career as I transitioned into nursing—a field in which I found great fulfilment. After years of dedicated service, I retired from full-time work and now run my own care business, focusing on compassionate and quality care.
A founding member and the first chair of the Methodist Church Zimbabwe Fellowship in the UK, I have continued to play an influential role in the Methodist Women in Britain (MWiB) movement, serving as the President for the South East District. My involvement with MWiB and the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women inspired me to start my own care business, driven by a passion for empowering women. My commitment to this cause has been reinforced through participation in various international seminars and conferences, including events in Italy, Ireland, and the World Federation Conference in Houston, as well as numerous residential seminars at Swanwick. I feel a deep calling in evangelism and enjoy traveling, spending time with my grandchildren, and reading. My dedication to service, faith, and community continues to inspire those around me as I take on my new role as Area Trustee.