General Secretary, Arise and Shine International Ministries (ASIM)
Ms Mfurakazi Esther serves as the General Secretary of Arise and Shine International Ministries (ASIM), where she plays a central role in strategic leadership, organizational development, project coordination, and grassroots mobilization. With a Bachelor’s degree in Business, Esther combines a strong foundation in administrative and operational management with an unshakable passion for social transformation.
In her role at ASIM, Esther leads a wide range of activities including policy planning, program implementation, partner relations, and capacity building for ministry staff and volunteers. She is instrumental in aligning ASIM’s core objectives with tangible outcomes in the communities the ministry serves, particularly in marginalized and vulnerable regions. Her leadership ensures that the organization remains responsive, mission-focused, and impactful.
Esther holds several critical portfolios within ASIM, including:
- Director of Outreach and Community Engagement
- Coordinator of Youth and Women’s Empowerment Programs
- Head of Monitoring and Evaluation for Social Impact Projects
- Strategic Advisor on Gender and Education Initiatives
Through these responsibilities, Esther has established herself not only as an effective administrator but also as a transformational leader whose vision shapes the future direction of ASIM. She is highly respected for her ability to design and implement outreach programs that are both scalable and sustainable. These include mentorship forums, school-based leadership training, health awareness campaigns, and entrepreneurship development workshops targeting youth and women.
Empowering Girls and Women for Leadership
Esther’s greatest passion lies in empowering young girls and women through education, mentorship, and values-based leadership development. She believes that every girl, regardless of her background, should have the opportunity to grow into a confident, competent, and courageous leader. Her work has already impacted hundreds of young women, many of whom now serve as peer educators, community advocates, or youth leaders in their own right.
Under her guidance, ASIM has launched several key initiatives aimed at advancing gender equity, including:
- “Girls with Vision” Mentorship Network
- Annual Youth and Girls’ Leadership Summits
- Skills for Life Training Camps
- Women of Purpose Forums bringing together faith, leadership, and business
She collaborates closely with schools, faith-based institutions, local authorities, and NGOs to deliver programs that not only educate but also inspire change. Her strategic thinking, coupled with her deep empathy for vulnerable populations, allows her to connect effectively across cultural, generational, and institutional boundaries.
Faith, Leadership, and National Transformation
Beyond her administrative responsibilities, Esther is a committed servant-leader whose faith in God drives her purpose and mission. She is a powerful advocate for values-driven leadership rooted in integrity, compassion, and accountability. Her leadership is grounded in biblical principles, and she regularly teaches and mentors youth on spiritual growth, character development, and civic responsibility.
Esther is also an emerging voice in national development, contributing to forums and networks focused on youth empowerment, patriotism, and community transformation. She believes that lasting change in any nation begins with transformed individuals and communities working together under a shared moral and spiritual vision.