Story by Mercy Bofu-Matinha
GOVERNMENT continues to push for the empowerment of women and youths through capacitating training institutions, with the renamed Maud Muzenda Training Centre in Masvingo being the latest to benefit.
The Roger Howman Training Centre in Masvingo has been renamed in honour of the late national heroine, Cde Maud Muzenda.
The institution, which plays an important role in skills development, especially for women and youths has empowered more than 7 000 people among them, Ms Shuvai Masuku who now owns a company specialising in fashion and designing.
“I am proud of this institution because I acquired fashion and design skills from here. Now I am proud to say I own a registered in my name and I’m now employing other people. I have participated on various platforms including on national dress competitions where we came tops in the culture wear category,” said Ms Masuku.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, who was the guest of honour at the event where she also commissioned a newly built female hostel, reaffirmed government’s commitment towards the empowerment of citizens.
“The renamed training centre will continue to ensure the provision of quality skills training services to the surrounding communities. This will increase the productivity levels of community members and help them to contribute to national development.”
The Muzenda family expressed gratitude for the honour saying their mother was passionate about community empowerment.
Muzenda family representative, Senator Tsitsi Muzenda said, “As a family, we want to thank His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa for honouring our mother who we all know was committed to see development in communities. Our mother who was a nurse by profession used to do a lot of community initiatives meant to empower especially women.”
The training centre was established in the early 1960s by the then Internal Affairs Minister, Mr Roger Howman.
It was donated to the government in 1966 and on the 19th of May last year President Emmerson Mnangagwa gave the green light for the renaming of the institution to Maud Muzenda Training Centre.
