Chronicle Editor
Thandeka Moyo-Ndlovu , Senior Reporter
BULAWAYO province is the winner of the national Young Women 4 ED cook out competition meant to encourage citizens to eat traditional foods.
The competition is a brainchild of the First lady Dr Auxilia Mnangagwa who has been encouraging Zimbabweans including the young people to eat traditional foods.
The Young Women 4 ED cook out competition which was held in Bulawayo, saw young women from all the country’s 10 provinces displaying culinary skills in presenting traditional foods including wild fruits, small grains and vegetables.
In a speech read on her behalf by Deputy Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Barbra Rwodzi, the First Lady said it is important for young people to engage in activities that will help them build Zimbabwe.
“Spear-headed by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Cde E.D Mnangagwa through our #Vision2030 mantra, the essence of this initiative is to embrace and nurture a proud sense of belonging to the hearts of every Zimbabwean young women.
The new dispensation has diversified the economy of Zimbabwe with women being involved in critical sectors and high decision making positions which makes us all proud as women to be equally represented in the various sectors and Government institutions,” said the First Lady.
“This has seen us realise unprecedented milestones and successes which continue to inspire young women to work harder to reach their full potential for the prosperity of our nation.”
She called on young women to continue to work hard in various spheres and be part of the builders of the country through initiatives like these, as in due season, everyone will reap the successes wanted and deserved.
“The future of Zimbabwean Young Women is bright, they must collectively channel disciplined focus on the development of the economy and improvements in the quality of life of all our people to attain Vision 2030,” she added.
The occasion was also graced by Bulawayo Minister for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Cde Judith Ncube and Women Affairs, Gender, Small to Medium Enterprises and Community Development Minister Dr Sithembiso Nyoni.
Team Bulawayo’s winning menu which was prepared and served by Bulawayo Polytechnic students included spinach omelette, caramelised kapenta balls, chicken makhaya bolete, isitshwala somgayiwa, roast potatoes, baobab juice and baobab pudding.
Miss Persistence Tshuma, one of the team members, said she was humbled by the results.
“We used simple traditional ingredients and just presented them in a modern way. We are proud of being the national winners of the cook out and we appreciate efforts by our leaders to keep us motivated and creative even in simple things like cooking,” she said.
The Bulawayo team walked away with a stove, refrigerator, pots and plates.
Hundreds of young women also received certificates in rabbit rearing, welding and provisional driving licences following training programmes facilitated by Young Women 4ED.
Miss Sihle Sibanda said she was happy the organisation had availed a chance for her to do driving lessons.
“I am happy with all these activities that are now at our disposal as young women, surely we are empowered and ready to bring about a change in the economy. These projects also help us to earn a living thereby reducing risks associated with gender based violence. We are grateful to President Mnangagwa,” she said. –@thamamoe
Online Reporter