Story by Tendai Munengwa
TRADITIONAL leaders in Mashonaland East Province have launched a rural industrialisation programme aimed at empowering Chiefs’ spouses through specialised poultry production, in a move expected to strengthen household incomes and support community development.
The initiative, known as Musha Ndi Amai, was unveiled with the donation of 1,000 birds to the Mashonaland East Provincial Chiefs’ Assembly by a development partner to kick-start the project.
Implemented in partnership with Government and development partners under the cultural preservation concept Mvura Naya Naya, the programme seeks to equip Chiefs’ spouses with practical skills in breeding specialised chicken hybrids while advancing rural industrialisation.
As part of the initiative, traditional leaders led by Chief NeChombo, accompanied by their spouses, toured Nhema Chickens in Mashonaland West Province, where they received hands-on training in poultry production and specialised breeding techniques.
Chief NeChombo said the programme is designed to empower women while promoting cultural values and economic transformation in rural communities.
“This is a programme initiated by Chiefs from our province aimed at empowering the spouses of traditional leaders under the code name Musha Ndi Amai. It is a capacity-building and training programme intended to equip our wives to take a leading role in cultural preservation through the rearing of special chicken breeds.
“The initiative also supports the rural industrialisation agenda being spearheaded by Government in line with the vision of leaving no one and no place behind,” he said.
In support of the initiative, special chicken breeder Mr Nomore Nhema donated 1,000 birds to help establish the project.
“We are pleased that traditional leaders have come up with this empowerment initiative for their spouses. They came, they saw and they learnt a lot. As Nhema Chickens, we have donated 1 000 birds to support the programme and we believe that, starting with Chiefs’ spouses, it will spread across the country,” he said.
Chiefs’ spouses welcomed the programme, describing it as a significant step towards economic empowerment and rural transformation.
“We greatly appreciate what our husbands have done for us. We are now equipped to start income-generating projects that we can pass on to other women,” said Mai Svosve.
Mai Chitekedza said the initiative would improve livelihoods and enhance food security.
“This programme will provide us with a source of income and food, while also promoting rural transformation,” she said.
Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs and Devolution Secretary Mr Tavabarira Kutamahufa commended traditional leaders for complementing Government efforts aimed at empowering communities and stimulating rural economic growth.
“What traditional leaders have done is not only beneficial to their spouses, but also brings significant socio-economic and cultural benefits, as the project is expected to benefit communities at large,” he said.
The Musha Ndi Amai initiative complements the Presidential Rural Poultry Programme, which continues to empower families across Zimbabwe while advancing the Second Republic’s vision of leaving no one and no place behind.
