Story by Kenias Chivuzhe
THE ruling ZANU PF party’s empowerment programmes are transforming lives, with women in Maramba Pfungwe constituency reaping huge rewards from collective savings schemes popularly known as Mukando.
The country’s drive to attain an upper-middle income economy status by 2030 is steadily becoming a reality, with the Mukando programme continuing to gain momentum across rural communities.
The initiative is providing women with access to capital to start viable projects and acquire valuable assets.
The atmosphere was filled with excitement at Dindi Primary School in Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe, as women participating in the Mukando savings programme gathered to share their proceeds, including vehicles, residential stands, building materials, furniture, and household utensils worth thousands of dollars.
“I bought a kombi using proceeds from Mukando. I also constructed my house after having joined the mukando initiative three years ago. I also own a butchery now and I am looking forward to growing my business empire,” a beneficiary said.
“I was able to buy a lorry, a Toyota omnibus and a stand. I urge other women to join this important programme,” another said.
“I bought motor bike and house furniture and I have managed to construct my house. I want to thank the First Lady and the President for ensuring this programme is a success,” a beneficiary stated.
“We have bought a lot of building materials and furniture. We were also able to build our houses. We are seeing Vision 2030 being a reality,” said a beneficiary.
The leadership that attended the event described the initiative as a practical tool for economic empowerment and financial inclusion in rural areas.
“This is testimony that women are being productive. These empowerment programmes are transforming communities as women are growing their businesses,” ZANU PF Mashonaland East Women’s League Chairperson, Senator Apolonia Munzverengwi noted.
“This project is the brainchild of the First Lady, who advised me to capacitate women to start Mukando programme. It has transformed lives in my constituency,” Maramba Pfungwe legislator, Honourable Tichaona Karumazondo added.
A total of 3 700 people have joined the Mukando programme in Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe, generating about US$900 000.
ZANU PF Secretary for Women’s Affairs Senator Mabel Chinomona says the success of the Mukando programme reflects the impact of government-led empowerment programmes.
“What I witnessed here is encouraging. Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe a shining example of the success of Mukando. I also saw the success of Mukando in Mudzi. You have generated almost a million dollars and that is a great achievement. This was a place where development was lagging behind and I am happy with the developments here. We want to reach an upper-middle-income economy status by 2030 and as women, we are fully embracing the initiative. We are enjoying peace led by President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa, which is making it feasible for us to start our own viable businesses. I urge those who have not joined Mukando to embrace the initiative.”
Senator Chinomona also took the opportunity to update the gathering on the resounding vote for CAB3 by parliamentarians, describing its enactment as a foregone conclusion.
