Story by Tamuka Charakupa
THE ZANU PF Women’s League Presidential Empowerment Fund is already transforming lives in Mashonaland West Province where beneficiaries showcased their cooking, artistic, and craft-making skills during an arts and craft exhibition held in Magunje this Friday.
From colourful traditional dishes to intricately handmade crafts, women from across the province gathered to celebrate entrepreneurship, creativity, and the opportunities made possible by the revolving fund.
Beneficiaries said the initiative has brought dignity, self-reliance, and hope.
“With what I earn from my craftwork, I am now able to pay school fees for my children. It gives me dignity and lessens the burden on my husband,” Gogo Concillia Mudimu said.
“The US$300 000 revolving fund, which we received from President Emmerson Mnangagwa, means the projects we are brainstorming will not just remain on paper. We can finally start businesses and make them grow,” a beneficiary, Chinjai Kambuzuma noted.
“When women have skills, they can stand on their own and even support their families. This reduces tensions at home and helps in the fight against gender-based violence,” another beneficiary, Mitchel Dzvede added.
The ZANU PF Secretary for Women’s Affairs, Cde Mabel Chinomona, urged women to support each other in their empowerment journey, highlighting the party’s commitment to uplifting livelihoods.
The government officials who graced the event also commended the initiative, saying it dovetails with the national development agenda.
“As women, we must stand together and empower each other. ZANU PF has placed women at the centre of its empowerment agenda, and we want you to use your talents to feed your families, send your children to school, and contribute to national development. No woman should be left behind when resources and opportunities are available. Every province received a revolving fund of US$300 000 from our President, where the focus is on women’s empowerment,” Cde Chinomona noted.
“This programme is in line with the national vision of leaving no place and no one behind. Every community, whether rural or urban, must benefit from empowerment projects so that development is inclusive,” Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Marian Chombo said.
“When women take charge of their livelihoods through skills and projects, it reduces dependency on government support. It means less strain on social welfare programmes, while communities become stronger and self-sufficient,” the Deputy Minister, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Honourable Mercy Dinha added.
President Mnangagwa launched the ZANU PF Women’s League Presidential Empowerment Fund this Monday and allocated US$300 000 for each province to support women’s empowerment projects nationally.
