Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve Sunday News Reporter
THE Government has launched the Matabeleland North Arts and Crafts Co-operative Union Society Limited in Victoria Falls to enhance formalisation and commercialisation of the province’s creative sector.
Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa officially launched the cooperative on Friday at the Curio Market Site.
The move brings together 11 primary cooperatives representing over 800 artisans from across Matabeleland North, including Binga, Bubi, Hwange, Lupane, Nkayi, Tsholotsho, Umguza and Victoria Falls.
Minister Mutsvangwa said the launch was not merely the creation of a co operative union but the beginning of a new chapter in which the creativity, talent and cultural heritage of the people are organised, commercialised and connected to markets.
“The question before us is no longer whether our communities possess talent, they clearly do. The real question is how we transform this wealth in creativity into viable and sustainable businesses that participate meaningfully in the tourism value chain, the domestic market and international trade,” she said.
The minister urged the union’s leadership to develop a comprehensive business and financing plan, emphasising proper record-keeping, accurate pricing, transparent costing and financial accountability as cornerstones of co operative success.
She also challenged members to collectively purchase raw materials in bulk and acquire modern equipment to enjoy economies of scale.
“I assure you that you will not walk this journey alone. Government remains deeply committed to providing relevant support through funding facilities administered through Smedco, the Zimbabwe Women Microfinance Bank, the Women Development Fund and the Community Development Fund,” she added.
Minister Mutsvangwa called upon local hotels, tour operators and lodges to intentionally integrate local arts and crafts into their operations, establishing formal linkages where tourists can visit local workshops, view live craft demonstrations and purchase verified products.
Minister of State for Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Richard Moyo, described the launch as an opportune moment for the province’s cooperatives to work together, access markets, share skills and build meaningful partnerships, particularly with the tourism industry.
“This initiative is in line with the development agenda being championed by President Mnangagwa, particularly his focus on empowerment, enterprise development and inclusive economic growth.
“As we pursue Vision 2030, let us ensure that our women and communities are not only participants, but active drivers of economic development. Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo,” said Minister Moyo.
He further encouraged domestic tourism, urging families from Lupane to visit Victoria Falls and communities from Victoria Falls to experience Binga and the Zambezi, emphasising that local travel supports hotels, restau-rants, transport operators, guides, artists and craft producers.
The two-day capacity-building workshop held from 16 to 17 September 2026 equipped management com-mittee members and general members with essential governance skills, laying a solid foundation of accounta-bility, strong leadership and operational excellence for the new body.
The training covered cooperative governance, financial management, entrepreneurship, marketing, record-keeping, product development and compliance.
The newly elected chairperson of the Matabeleland North Arts and Crafts Co-operative Union, Mr Price Chinondo Tshuma, expressed profound gratitude for what he termed a historic opportunity.
“For many years, our people have been working individually or in small informal groups, producing beautiful and valuable products from our local resources and cultural heritage. Today, we have taken a major step to-wards becoming more organised, formalised and capable of accessing wider markets and opportunities,” said Mr Tshuma.
He acknowledged the ministry’s commitment to capacity building, formalisation and market access, but noted that much work remains.
“There is a strong need for continuous capacity-building training, particularly in cooperative governance, fi-nancial management, entrepreneurship, marketing, record-keeping, product development and compliance,” he said.
Mr Tshuma also called for greater exposure and engagement with regulatory and support institutions such as ZIMRA, ZIMTRADE, the Forestry Commission and financial institutions.
“Cooperatives are not merely business structures. In many communities across Matabeleland North, they are a major source of livelihood, providing income, employment and opportunities for women, young people and families. Strengthening cooperatives therefore means strengthening household incomes and local economies,” he added.
The formation of the union follows extensive consultations and is provided for under the Cooperative Act [Chapter 24:05].
It is expected to enhance collective bargaining and market power, improve statutory compliance and govern-ance, optimise logistics and transport constraints, increase incomes and employment creation, and strengthen export readiness and access to regional and international markets.
The launch aligns with the National Development Strategy 2 and Vision 2030, contributing to export growth, value addition and beneficiation, cooperative development, job creation and poverty reduction.
