Story by Providence Maraneli
THE ruling ZANU PF party is upscaling its efforts to empower the once marginalised communities in Matabeleland South with various women groups getting poultry and textile starter packs.
The empowerment initiative is expected to unlock value and improve incomes for hundreds of women in Matebeleland South Province.
Beneficiaries under the empowerment initiative are confident the rural industrialisation dream can be a reality.
“We are so grateful, now we are working for ourselves. We have been given the material so that we can start our sewing business and we are already up and running,” said one of the beneficiaries.
Another added, “We want to take school leavers, especially girls so that they can depend on themselves.”
“I got chickens and it’s already showing signs,” another beneficiary noted.
The local leadership expressed gratitude for the projects afforded for their community.
“We are so happy that our women are participating in these projects that will uplift them,” said the council chairperson, Mpathiswa Ncube.
ZANU PF Secretary for Legal Affairs, Cde Cecilia Ndubiwa said, “We took seriously the opportunities presented by the party and we are in the process of building a massive textile factory.”
“All our districts in Matabeleland have adopted these empowerment projects and we hope that they are going to flourish, we will continue to support them,” said Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Evelyn Ndlovu.
ZANU PF Secretary for the Women’s League, Cde Mabel Chinomona, who was in Gwanda this Saturday to launch various empowerment projects said the empowerment projects are meant to build self-sustenance among women.
“Women it is your time now, we need to help the country achieve its vision and it can only be done through hard work and these projects are meant to uplift each other,” she said.
Various women groups were allocated start-up packs for poultry, and piggery projects, as well as sewing machines among other projects.
