Online Reporter
Blessings Chidakwa, blessing. [email protected]
What began as a modest bush luncheon for women convened by the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, has since evolved into a structured savings scheme, following the establishment of a new women’s association, Zimbabwe Legacy Empowerment.
The association has emerged as a direct outcome of engagements held during the First Lady’s women’s business luncheons, which brought together aspiring and established businesswomen from all provinces, creating a platform for networking, mentorship and economic collaboration.
The formation of Zimbabwe Legacy Empowerment follows the oversubscribed bush luncheon hosted by Dr Mnangagwa at the iconic Baradzanwa Cultural Village in Mazowe, where women from diverse sectors, including mining, construction, agriculture, tourism, media, manufacturing, banking, law and small to medium enterprises, gathered to exchange ideas and forge partnerships.
With Zimbabwe Legacy Empowerment now in place, women across the country are expected to benefit from an organised platform that promotes entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainable development, inspired by the First Lady’s drive to uplift women and ensure they play a leading role in building the nation’s future.
The First Lady, who continues to champion women’s empowerment initiatives across the country, urged women to embrace innovation, discipline and hard work, while encouraging them to think beyond small projects and pursue larger ventures that can contribute meaningfully to national development.
Dr Mnangagwa, who is the Zimbabwe Legacy Empowerment Patron, also challenged women to remain united and focused, saying collective effort is key in transforming livelihoods and building a stronger economy.
“As women, we are very important. Let us stay focused when we are doing our business,” she said.
“A woman was created to bring forth something productive that will move and make an impact in this world. Let us stand firmly and conduct ourselves well in society, and stop pulling each other down. Let us be productive and let our businesses thrive.”
The savings scheme is open to women who willingly join and register, with members expected to contribute towards a shared pool that will support empowerment initiatives and enable participants to pursue business opportunities and improve livelihoods.
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister, Barbara Rwodzi, commended the initiative, highlighting that it dovetails with the Government’s thrust towards inclusive economic development.
Zimbabwe Legacy Empowerment chairperson, Commissioner Chipo Mandela, said the organisation was formed through a platform created by the First Lady to enable women in business to network and collaborate.
“Our thrust is to bring together women in business from across all the country’s provinces. Membership is voluntary and open to all women in business, so that we can grow together.
“Our patron, Dr Mnangagwa, is encouraging us not to be lazy, but to work hard with our own hands. Most initiatives in our communities do not require large amounts of money. Even in rural areas, one can always find something productive to do in order to earn a living and contribute to the country’s GDP as organised women, with dignity,” she said.
Women participants shared experiences and refined collaborative projects that had been conceived during previous meetings, while reaffirming their commitment to working together beyond the luncheon setting.
It is this spirit of unity, cooperation and shared purpose that has now birthed the Zimbabwe Legacy Empowerment association, which has been established as a savings scheme for voluntarily registered members, aimed at promoting financial discipline, economic independence and sustainable investment among women.
The women were also happy and were able to choose their own business sectors and decide what they wanted to pursue.
Zimbabwe Legacy Empowerment treasurer, Mrs Priscilla Mangwana, thanked the patron, Dr Mnangagwa, for encompassing every woman, from those running small and medium enterprises to those in large-scale businesses.
“This is a good initiative as it is uniting us as women and no one is being left behind. Our First Lady is also encouraging us to work hard as women and take advantage of the various opportunities the Government is availing to us,” she said.
A businesswoman, Dadirai Mudziki, said they were grateful to the First Lady for the initiative, which she said was uplifting women and encouraging them to work with their own hands.
“We would like to thank the First Lady for this initiative, which is uplifting us as women, so that we work using our own hands. No one is being forced to join, as it is done on a voluntary basis.
“Our mother has a listening ear. She spent the whole day with us, guiding us properly,” she said.
Another businesswoman, Progress Gwisai, who operates in the pharmaceutical industry, said Dr Mnangagwa has been leading from the front in championing women’s empowerment.
“It is not easy for someone of the First Lady’s stature to stand with us women, despite our large numbers drawn from across the country’s provinces, with some coming from rural areas and others from urban centres.
“We are happy that, as women, we are being recognised in Zimbabwe. I am glad that we have been given an opportunity to grow our businesses,” she said.
A cervical cancer survivor, Fabbie Shoko of Kingdom Energy, said Dr Mnangagwa’s health programmes empowered her and inspired others, as she rose from recovery to running a thriving business.
“I had given myself a death sentence, but through the First Lady’s programme, I found hope again. At the time, I was also going through a divorce and I was unemployed,” she said.
“I went for cancer screening at the First Lady’s mobile hospital and tested positive. I then went through chemotherapy. Through the First Lady’s teachings, I managed to overcome everything and went on to start my own company. She gave me my life back. With determination, we are going to make it.”
During the latest bush luncheon engagement, officials from various Government ministries and departments also shared insights on opportunities available for women in different sectors.
Government agencies such as ARDA were also part of the programme, guiding investment and business growth strategies.
Sidumisile Mabena