Online Reporter
Blessings Chidakwa
Herald Reporter
Trailblazing First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa has broken new ground, hosting a first-of-its-kind, electrifying three-day Women’s Market Galore, bringing together multitudes of exhibitors from the country’s various business sectors, encouraging economic participation and sustainable enterprise.
The lively inaugural First Lady Women’s Market Galore, a brainchild of Dr Mnangagwa, provided a dynamic platform for women to exhibit their products, establish networks, explore new market opportunities, increase brand visibility and strengthen market penetration.
The fair, set to be cascaded down to all the country’s 10 provinces, featured a wide array of sectors such as farming, clothing, arts and crafts, retail, manufacturing, education, tourism and hospitality, corporate services, agriculture, wellness, catering, cosmetics, and once male-dominated fields such as construction and mining.
The usually dull Harare Gardens came alive as Dr Mnangagwa, the champion of economic empowerment, interacted with scores of exhibitors in her all-inclusive approach, appreciating their products and marvelling at their ingenuity.
Among the products and services were an array of fresh farm produce, artefacts, traditional grains such as sorghum, rapoko, and millet, herbs, furniture, clothes, livestock such as sheep, goats, and chickens, female barbers, microfinance institutions, legal services, freight, and shipping.
As a champion of value addition on traditional grains and fruits, the First Lady was shown several such products, including those made from baobab, which proved popular baobab oil, petroleum jelly, powder, juice, jam, sweets, and baniba coffee.
There was also chicken feed made from baobab seeds, an alternative protein source that is a viable substitute for concentrate.
As a way of promoting the women, the First Lady personally bought some of the stuff from them including milk, farm produce and the detergents from Gumdrop Detergents comprising of people with dwarfism from Mbare popularly known as Girls dzeDetergent.
The event also proved to be a beacon of cultural celebration, providing an enriching experience for attendees with its vibrant blend of captivating music, dance, and artefacts.
Beyond the marketplace, which had fair prices courtesy of Dr Mnangagwa’s initiative, the First Lady Women’s Market Galore was a celebration of Zimbabwean culture, as traditional attire, including the national fabric, was adorned by many attendees.
Addressing the oversubscribed gathering, Dr Mnangagwa said the participation of women in entrepreneurship was a bold endorsement of her noble initiative designed to position women for business success.
“The Women’s Market is a huge platform for women to enhance brand visibility and to bolster market penetration for their products and services.
“It is an opportunity for women entrepreneurs to interact, cross-pollinate business ideas, collaborate, co-learn, co-create and explore mutually beneficial business partnerships,” she said.
Dr Mnangagwa said the Women’s Market is designed to promote the advancement and empowerment of women.
“The goal of the market was not just to create a platform for women in business to sell their products and services, but to create both a sustainable ecosystem and a culture that positioned women as active and significant contributors to the national GDP.
“The business ecosystem I envisioned when I conceived the Women’s Market comprised highly inspired women with an insatiable appetite to learn, grow and make a huge impact in their families, communities and the nation at large,” she said.
The First Lady said the ecosystem promoted through the Women’s Market must have a professionally and morally acceptable culture; one of integrity, honesty, hard work, proper ethos, and a business culture deeply rooted in the African philosophy of Hunhu/Ubuntu.
“I envisioned women working together in a complementary fashion without undermining each other. I envisaged a business ecosystem of women who did not compete maliciously out of jealousy, but completed and complemented each other as sisters and/or as mothers and daughters.
“I envisaged a business ecosystem with a culture devoid of predators, sharks, and vultures. The dog-eat-dog culture has no place in the ecosystem advanced by the Women’s Market,” she said.
In her all-inclusive approach, Dr Mnangagwa said the Women’s Market is an ecosystem with tentacles in all sectors of the economy and diverse demographics in the country from rural and peri-urban to urban areas.
“I dreamt of an intricately interwoven and interdependent ecosystem where the formal and informal, the young and the old women, small and large businesses willingly cooperated, collaborated, and synergised, with deliberate intentions to see the small grow, the marginalised included, the incapacitated empowered, the unskilled skilled, and those without markets assisted to access markets.
“My concept of inclusion encapsulates people with disabilities, marginalised communities and demographics, and sections of society regarded as outcasts.
“As long as you are a woman and have a noble, ethical, and bankable business idea or project, you are welcome to be part of this ecosystem, regardless of your gender, social or political affiliation, race, religion, creed, or ethnicity.”
Dr Mnangagwa added: “I envisioned an ecosystem devoid of silos and barriers that limit progress and productivity among women. The assorted goods and brands that you brought are to serve us and our families and help shape our culture.”
The First Lady said the average female consumer is still under-represented, misunderstood, and often ignored despite her influence.
She said the market promotes and upholds the sanctity of human life, as well as principles of love and respect.
“Kubatana, kubatsirana, kusimudzirana, kuvakana, kudyidzana, kuwadzana, and kuyanana are cardinal values of the business ecosystem promoted by the Women’s Market.
“It is also important to highlight that this market promotes the culture of unity and solidarity among us as women. Let us leverage the power of femininity.
“Today, we have connected, embraced, and engaged. We should never look back on this journey. This market will recur quarterly,” she said.
Evangelist Nelly Gwatidzo, who was among the director of ceremonies, also spoke about what it means to be a financially independent woman and the behaviours that are expected.
The woman of the cloth urged fellow women to be hard working, tapping into programmes being initiated by the First Lady.
Beneficiaries beamed with pride as they displayed their wares.
Among them was Mrs Christina Taranhike from Buhera, who specialises in traditional grains from cultivation to value addition.
She expressed gratitude to the First Lady for bringing women together to showcase their work and engage in knowledge exchange.
“This is a marvellous opportunity for us to connect and learn from one another, improving our businesses in the process.
“I was inspired by Dr Mnangagwa to venture into traditional grains, as she strongly advocates for their promotion both locally and internationally. She has emphasised their nutritional value and importance in achieving food security.
“Thanks to the First Lady’s guidance, I now sell traditional grains which I also cultivate myself. I urge all women, both in rural and urban areas, to come together in support of her vision, which is truly uplifting us,” said Mrs Taranhike.
Gogo Mavis Macherechedze and her daughter-in-law, Ms Chipo Ribeiro from Mhondoro, are engaged in a thriving horticulture business.
To them, in-law rivalry is a thing of the past, having embraced the First Lady’s teachings on building healthy relationships among in-laws.
“We are simply following the teachings of the First Lady to unite as in-laws. As for us, we are united even in our business.
“We cultivate crops such as sorghum, pearl millet, and finger millet together, and also produce dried vegetables. When we sell our produce, we share the money equally, and all is working smoothly,” said the daughter-in-law.
A young woman, Miss Lilian Zariro, who was selling sour milk some of which was bought by the First Lady, said the Women’s Market platform provided by Dr Mnangagwa was refreshing.
“As a young lady, I feel motivated being part of the market showcasing my products. I am being economically empowered so that in future, when I get married, I will be financially independent, unlike solely relying on my husband.
“I thank Dr Mnangagwa a lot for this opportunity. I was only confined to my area, but now I have better visibility,” said Miss Zariro.
A traditionalist, Memory Seda known as Gogo Chirandu, was selling a traditional herb, including one that she claimed can address drug addiction, which has become a menace mainly among youths.
“If drug addicts consume the herb, it cleanses the full body system. I have two who were into drugs, but have since transformed.
“One passed with flying colours at Advanced Level after getting 15 points. It took me three months to heal him, but for another, it only took three weeks, as he was in the early stages of drug use,” said Gogo Chirandu.
Mrs Vina Ivy Moyo, who learnt crafting and detergent-making skills through Dr Mnangagwa’s programmes, described the experience of being remembered by the First Lady as deeply moving.
“We are truly grateful, Amai Mnangagwa, for your unwavering dedication to empowering women and helping us to live dignified lives. May the Lord bless you abundantly,” she said.
Apostle Dr Bernadette Masona also praised the First Lady, calling her a “giant of empowerment”, for affording women such a transformative opportunity.
“This is amazing. As women, we are thrilled to display our work. I am involved in the education sector and make school uniforms.
“The First Lady is performing wonders, and we hope she continues her remarkable efforts. Now is the time for women to rise and thrive, inspired by our mother, Dr Mnangagwa,” she said.
Beauty therapist, Ms Monalisa Mutyanda, representing Xoxo, showcased a range of cosmetics, including clonsilla, multi-effect body and beauty creams, hair products, oils, and locally styled wigs.
Fashion enthusiast, Ms Perpetua Mpofu, praised the First Lady’s empowering teachings and the significance of the event.
“I encourage fellow women to stay motivated by these initiatives led by our First Lady. Each of us should find a craft to specialise in, whether it’s beadwork, fashion, or poultry.
“This fair has broadened our market reach and opened our eyes to new possibilities. I urge other women to attend future fairs and be inspired by the amazing work being done.”
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister, Barbara Rwodzi, commended the First Lady for the noble initiative, which she said is vital for promoting agro-tourism.
“We thank our First Lady for initiating this programme for women to showcase their products openly without paying any cent, exchanging notes with fellow businesswomen, and interfacing with customers.
“These women were confined to their limited circles, but you have provided them with a chance to explore new market opportunities, increase brand visibility, and strengthen market penetration,” she said.
Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Monica Mutsvangwa paid tribute to the First Lady for her numerous women-centric empowerment programmes.
She said as a ministry, they welcome this initiative, which will enable women who are producing a diverse range of products to shine.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Harare Metropolitan Province, Charles Tawengwa, saluted the First Lady’s initiative, which embodies the spirit of empowerment and equality that the nation strives for.
“It is a giant step towards the realisation of aspirations under the National Development Strategy 1, that is, of ensuring development which leaves no one and no place behind. That is, in driving sustainable economic growth and social development,” he said.
With multitudes in attendance, the lively atmosphere was spiced up by performances from renowned artistes including Killer T, Iyasa, Dorcas Moyo, Diana Samkange, Andy Muridzo, and the Police Band.
The First Lady has spearheaded numerous women empowerment initiatives across Zimbabwe, focusing on economic upliftment, cultural preservation, and community development fostering entrepreneurship and self-reliance.
