Online Reporter
Freedom Mupanedemo
Midlands Bureau
WHAT began as a micro-savings scheme 10 years ago continues to achieve milestones, as marked by celebrations in Mvuma last Saturday, where women shared minibuses, cars, grinding mills and other high-value assets during their year-end Mukando gathering.
The women are part of a scheme initiated by the First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, during her tenure as Member of Parliament for Chirumanzu Zibagwe Constituency to promote collective saving and economic empowerment.
Together with Dr Mnangagwa’s guidance, the women from across the constituency would pool resources, share businesses, and share the proceeds at the end of the year.
The trend has not faded, instead, it has grown steadily over the years, moving beyond the distribution of groceries and household items to major income-generating assets.
This year’s handover underscored the scheme’s impact as women took ownership of minibuses, cars, grinding mills, and other investments aimed at sustaining long-term livelihoods.
“I used my loan to start a small vegetable business,” said Mrs Loraine Matinenga.
“Now I am into the transport business, owning a commuter omnibus, managing to pay fees for my kids, and I thank the First Lady for encouraging us,” she said.
The women were all smiles, happy to be part of a community that supported each other.
A community initiative to crowdfund, contributing money through Mukando, is transforming the Chirumanzu Zibagwe community for the better, as it has seen women coming up with business ideas that have empowered them.
The projects initiated by the First Lady 10 years ago are still thriving, while some have expanded, providing employment for locals and high returns for the owners.
Some of the projects, like Mukando or Fushayi (micro-lending and savings scheme), have transformed the lives of thousands of women in the constituency who are living a good life through using their hands.
Dr Mnangagwa, who has a passion for girls’ and women’s advancement, remains part of the Mukando projects to inspire other women.
The initiative, which was popularised by the First Lady Dr Mnangagwa, is proving to be a game-changer, with women now going a gear up in turning the cooperatives into viable entities.
The Mukando initiative has become a movement that speaks to community development driven by unity of purpose in Chirumanzu Zibagwe Constituency.
From buying utility vehicles for businesses to establishing microfinance initiatives and funeral parlours, the women of Chirumanzu Zibagwe Constituency are experiencing real transformation through their Mukando initiative.
Another beneficiary, Mrs Grace Jaya, said the First Lady has taught her to be a woman of greater value.
“Her initiative has made us stand out as victors in life. We are now proud owners of such big vehicles, all thanks to Amai Mnangagwa’s great initiative,” she said.
Another happy beneficiary, Mrs Fiosta Chinanzi, said they managed to set up a funeral parlour. “We now have a funeral parlour that helps us during times of bereavement.
“The parlour is very useful as we also raise funding to assist our members with food hampers at the end of every month. We are now business people as a result of this Mukando initiative,” she said.
Mrs Prisca Chimoga said while others have managed to set up their different ventures, she managed to come up with a cooking-oil-making business.
“We get cooking oil and chicken feed from the initiative. It is a great initiative that is transforming our lives,” she said.
Legislator for Chirumanzu Zibagwe, Cde Jacob Chokururama, heaped praise on Dr Mnangagwa’s initiative, urging men to also take a leaf from the empowering programme.
“The milestones we are witnessing today are a result of your discipline, which led you to follow the teachings of our First Lady. I want to urge gentlemen in our midst to emulate this good gesture and come up with such initiatives meant to transform lives,” he said.
Cde Chokururama said Dr Mnangagwa gave the women the vision that is now benefiting them. Youth Quota representative, Cde Rutendo Mpofu, said she is glad that youths have also been empowered by the great initiative.
“We want to thank Dr Mnangagwa for some empowering initiatives.
“Youths are also becoming masters of their destiny through the various projects on offer. They are building houses and setting up serious businesses through the programmes,” she said.
Peter Tanyanyiwa