adminMarvelous Moyo Gwanda Correspondent
THE Ministry of Small to Medium Enterprises and Cooperative Development says civil servants should form cooperatives and contribute to sustainable economic growth.The ministry’s director of cooperatives, Samuel Hlatshwayo, said involvement of government workers would positively impact on their lives especially after they retire.
Cooperatives are critical for the production of goods and services and bringing them close to the needs of the people.
“Our duty is to encourage the growth of cooperatives and ensure sustainability and that people are empowered to actively participate in ensuring economic progress of the country,” he said.
“Therefore, I encourage you as government ministries to form cooperatives and register them. You can form savings and credit cooperatives (Sacco) so that when you have enough funds by the time you retire you can start up some projects.
“You can as well form housing cooperatives to assist those living in institutional houses to have houses of their own to avoid a situation whereby they’ve accommodation problems by the time they retire.”
Matabeleland South province would this year host the national commemorations of the International Day of Cooperatives in the provincial capital, Gwanda Town at Phelandaba Stadium.
The commemorations would be held on July 4 under the theme “Future of Cooperative Model: Creativity, Innovation and Research”.
Preparations for the event have started with various committees formed yesterday to start work on the ground.
“Previous celebrations have been held in other areas such as Harare, Masvingo and Mutare.
The committees formed will be responsible for running preparations on the ground for the event, Hlatshwayo said.
He said there would be an exhibition to run concurrently with the commemorations as it will attract participants from different cooperatives.
Blessing Chizhande
Online Reporter