Online Reporter
Sikhulekelani Moyo, [email protected]
ABOUT 4 000 young women and girls in Bulawayo have benefitted from a financial literacy programme implemented over the past five years by Girls In Stem Trust in partnership with Old Mutual Zimbabwe, aimed at equipping participants with essential money management and entrepreneurship skills.
The initiative, known as the On the Money Financial Literacy Programme, has focused on imparting knowledge on budgeting, saving, investing and informed financial decision making to girls drawn from high schools, colleges and universities.
In a speech read on her behalf by Ms Beulah Gwaze, deputy director of co-ordination in the Office of the Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution, acting Permanent Secretary for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Ms Boetsoarelo Noko, said financial literacy has become critical in empowering young women.
“Over the past five years, this partnership has provided financial literacy training to more than 4 000 young women, teaching them the critical skills of budgeting, saving, investing and making informed financial choices. These are not just lessons on money — they are lessons in independence, responsibility and self reliance.”
Ms Noko said each trained participant becomes a multiplier of knowledge within families, schools and communities, helping to build a culture of financial awareness.
“Each young woman trained represents a ripple effect, spreading knowledge within families, schools and communities, creating a culture of financial awareness that will benefit generations to come,” she said.
Mrs Noko said the programme transcends statistics and should be viewed as an investment in future national leadership.
“You have shown that the private sector has a pivotal role to play in social development, and you have done so in a manner that is both sustainable and transformative,” she said.
Ms Noko added that the partnership aligns with National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) objectives by promoting inclusive growth, youth empowerment and human capital development.
“By equipping young women with financial skills alongside Stem knowledge, we are nurturing a generation that is not only technically skilled but also financially savvy,” she said.
She said the initiative also contributes to Vision 2030 by producing economically active and financially independent young women capable of making meaningful contributions to national development.
Speaking at the same event, Bulawayo provincial education director Mr Bernard Mazambani said financial literacy strengthens classroom learning by introducing practical life competencies.
“A financially literate young woman becomes a financially responsible adult who supports her family, contributes to her community and participates meaningfully in the economy. Financial literacy complements the academic curriculum by providing practical, real life competencies. It empowers learners not only to succeed in school but also to navigate life beyond the classroom with confidence and responsibility.”
Girls In Stem Trust executive director Ms Victoria Nxumalo said the programme has steadily expanded since its launch five years ago.
“Our journey with Old Mutual started five years ago with the On The Money Financial Literacy Programme and has grown from strength to strength. We are pleased to have trained over 4 000 young women over the last five years. We look forward to growing that number further.”
Old Mutual Finance southern region manager Mr Sipho Moyo said the partnership seeks to build confidence among young women in making sound financial decisions.
“We are proud of this partnership and hope to continue impacting young women with knowledge that enables them to become financially independent,” he said.
Mr Moyo said continued collaboration with Girls In Stem Trust remains key to empowering the girl child.
“We are grateful and proud to have been in partnership with the girls in Stem Trust. We hope that as we go forward, we’ll also continue to impact the same knowledge and help the girl child to be financially independent and be able to make those decisions that in most cases or more often than not they become fearful because the knowledge is not there and the direction will not be there,” he said.
Meanwhile, the latest edition of the programme, held at the end of March, benefitted about 1 500 young women drawn from various schools, colleges and universities across the country.
