Story by Kenias Chivuzhe
THE Presidential Empowerment Programme has been rolled out to Chipinge District, with four constituencies receiving a combined total of US$100 000 to further strengthen the empowerment drive.
The move underscores the ruling ZANU-PF party’s commitment to fulfilling its empowerment pledges, as the funding was disbursed to the four Chipinge constituencies on Saturday.
Constituencies that benefited from the empowerment drive are appreciative of the support and have pledged to put the funds to good use to benefit more communities within their constituencies.
“We are very happy with the empowerment fund from the president. We will effectively utilise the funds to support youths, women, and even war veterans,” Chipinge Central Representative, Cde Stella Majecha said.
“These funds will go a long way in solving development challenges being experienced within the constituency. We thank President Mnangagwa for this support,” Chipinge South Representative, Cde Enock Porusingazi said.
“The disbursement of empowerment funds will help to support small businesses. We will also support village units. We are going to support Muswirizi irrigation among other support programmes,” Chipinge East Legislator, Honourable Lincoln Dhiliwayo said.
“We have seen support for the Empowerment Vision from the President. The Presidential advisor urged us to be productive. His message was on uniting and supporting the President’s vision going forward. He said we should all contribute towards promoting President Mnangagwa’s vision,” Mutema Constituency Legislator, Honourable Angeline Gata said.
The provincial leadership added its voice on the importance of the empowerment programme in the advancement of the President’s vision.
“We need to unite in advancing President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030. We all need to work towards the development of the country,” ZANU PF Manicaland Provincial Chairperson, Tawanda Mukodza said.
“We want to thank President Mnangagwa’s unwavering commitment to advancing the empowerment drive. We are very grateful for the disbursement of the Presidential Empowerment Fund. It is a practical demonstration that Zimbabweans should be at the centre of their own development,” Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza said.
In his address during the handover ceremony in Chipinge East this Saturday, the President’s Advisor on Investments, Dr Paul Tungwarara, says the empowerment drive should be a rallying point towards supporting President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s inclusive development agenda.
“We are here to support the vision of President Mnangagwa. The empowerment drive does not belong to individuals or Tungwarara but is being driven by President Mnangagwa. We are gathered here for the distribution of the Presidential Empowerment Fund. He understands that genuine empowerment starts at the grassroots. The money given by the president is there to support the Chipinge communities. It is a revolving fund that can support entrepreneurs. We look forward to creating jobs with these funds. This development is a statement that the people of Chipinge are not forgotten. The empowerment drive should promote unity within Chipinge. The President says we should leave no one behind. The empowerment launched by the president will reach the grassroots. The President has done a lot of things, has brought change to the people, and transformed communities,” he said.
The empowerment drive being spearheaded by President Mnangagwa is part of the key promises captured in the party’s election manifesto and an important strategy towards the attainment of Vision 2030 goals.
