ZNCC Women in Enterprise Awards dinner held
Story by Kenias Chivuzhe
WOMEN have been challenged to take advantage of unwavering government support to grow their enterprises and broaden their participation in the economic affairs of the country.
It was a colourful event on Friday night as 62 women were honoured at the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) Women in Enterprise Awards in Mutare.
Some of the outstanding winners include Mrs Christina Taranhike who got three accolades, while Mrs Dephine Mbanje, Mrs Judith Shadaya, Rachel Mugwagwa and Nomsa Chiadzwa scooped two awards each.
The winners, who could not hide their excitement, described the awards as motivation to upscale their efforts.
“I am very excited that I won three accolades under the categories of agriculture, manufacturing and special recognition. What it means to me is that we need to regenerate our soils in order to produce and feed the nation,” said outstanding winner, Mrs Christina Taranhike.
Another winner said, “I have been in the mining industry for the past ten years and I have been working so hard. Women should not fear any type of job or work.”
“I am happy that I have won in a field of mining that is usually dominated by man,” another stated.
“I am happy to win this award because I have been in business for 20 years. Going forward I hope to continue to grow my business,” said yet another winner.
“My vision as Mai Chief Makoni is to take a leading role in Makoni in empowering the people of Maungwe. Musha Mukadzi and I want to thank ZNCC for the recognition given to me,” said Mrs Makoni.
The government assured women of its commitment to see them excel.
Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza said, “The ZNCC woman awards is one of the most treasured occasions of the calendar year. To all the industrious women here I just want to encourage you that Manicaland is open for business. I urge you all to take full advantage of the commitment made to you by the second republic under the wise and able leadership of President Mnangagwa.”
Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said, “I am delighted that we have women in this province who have been successful in business and today we are witnessing that success. The government of Zimbabwe has an unwavering commitment to promoting women’s empowerment.
“The President puts a lot of importance on women’s empowerment. Women are the nerve root of any nation, SMEs are the pulse of the economy, and community development is the grassroots. We need to work together to succeed. Together we will go very far. Zimbabwe is part of International and regional instruments for gender equality and women’s empowerment which include the Convention of Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women, the Beijing Declaration and the Plan for Action. We are part of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights and the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development. That shows commitment by the leadership of this country.”
The ZIMSTAT 2021 survey revealed that there are 3.4 million Small to Medium Enterprises and 56 percent of these are women enterprises that are largely informal.