Born and raised in St. Peters, a peri-urban area on the outskirts of Bulawayo, Sazini Tshuma has never forgotten her roots. The same community that nurtured her spirit as a child is now the home of her foundation — a mission born from empathy, experience, and a deep desire to uplift those who have been forgotten.
“I love giving,” she told The Weight She Carries. “Growing up, I didn’t have everything I wanted. That experience taught me to give to others when I could. I understand the pain of going without.”
Growing up in a family of nine children, life was never easy. “My father worked at the city council, and with so many of us, we had to hustle,” she said.
From a young age, Sazini was selling sweets and handmade brooms to contribute to the household. Her entrepreneurial drive was inspired by a friend in worse financial straits, and she remembers thinking, “If she can do it, why not me?”
Even back then, Sazini was driven to improve herself and her surroundings. “I always wanted to look good, even when I couldn’t afford nice clothes,” she said.
That passion led her to fashion design — her true calling. Over the years, she has ventured into transportation, run a restaurant, but it’s fashion where her heart truly lies.
Today, she runs Rich Aunt Boutique — a name born out of humour and community affection, now widely recognized and beloved.
“There’s always a rich aunt in every family who is rich in heart and helps everyone,” she said.
Her boutique primarily serves plus-size women who often feel neglected by mainstream fashion. “They want modest, stylish clothes. They want to feel seen.”
In parallel with running her boutique, she opened the Magolide Foundation — named after her family totem, which symbolizes gold and spiritual wealth.
Her giving spirit first took the form of informal, individual acts of kindness — helping the elderly in her community and offering food to those who came to her for help. But one deeply painful incident — seeing a mentally challenged classmate from childhood, now homeless and eating from the streets — moved her to formalize her efforts. This marked the birth of her foundation.
The foundation began officially in July 2023 and now serves 45 to 50 children daily with meals, skill-building programs, and emotional support.
The goal? To end hunger, prevent early marriages, and give children, especially girls, a future beyond dependency.
“I’ve seen too many girls finish Grade 7 and get married. I want to change that. Women must have their own money, their own power.”
Operating primarily in St. Peters, the foundation also extends support to surrounding areas like Pumula South and even local prisons. Its assistance ranges from food parcels and clothing to emotional support for people with disabilities, orphans, the elderly, and those with mental health issues. She specified that most of the elderly she helps have children, but they are unable to support their parents.
“One painful situation is an elderly woman who lost all her 9 children,” Sazini said. “She doesn’t have anyone to look after her, so she survives with the help of the foundation.”
Despite juggling motherhood, marriage, her boutique, and community work, she still finds time for compassion. “It’s not easy,” she admits. “I have three kids, and two are still young, so they need my attention. But this work — it’s my purpose.”
The foundation is primarily funded by her own income, but she has also partnered with several companies.
“The vision is mine. Donors will only support something if they see you believe in it yourself. I want to thank all the companies that have partnered with me.”
To women who want to make a difference but feel overwhelmed, her advice is simple: “Start small. Call others. Form a group. If one child needs school fees, come together and help. We don’t need to have a lot to start doing good.”
Her dream for the future? To acquire land in St. Peters and build a safe home for abused and neglected children. “Even if it’s not big — a safe place is all they need.”
In a world that often feels short on hope, Sazini is a reminder that one person’s commitment to compassion can change the trajectory of dozens of lives — and it all started with a little girl selling sweets to make life a bit easier for her family.
Vimbai E. is a content marketer, ghostwriter, and the founder of The Weight She Carries. With hundreds of articles and stories publishing online, in print and for broadcast, her love of language and storytelling shines through every piece of writing that bears her name.