Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
THE City of Mutare has been hailed as a model local authority whose inclusive, hands-on approach to women’s economic empowerment should be replicated across Zimbabwe, with Government urging other councils to learn, adopt, and rise to the same standard.
Officiating at the fifth edition of the City of Mutare Women Empowerment Expo early this week, Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, commended the local authority for what she described as a strategic and highly effective blueprint.
She said the blueprint is transforming the lives of women entrepreneurs in the city and aligning seamlessly with national priorities.
“The City of Mutare deserves national acclaim for its blueprint in championing women’s empowerment. This is, not a series of isolated projects, but a cohesive, multi-pronged strategy that is delivering tangible results. The local authority’s efforts have moved beyond rhetoric to deliver tangible results. This empowerment agenda is powerfully synchronised with the council’s excellent work with Government,” she said.
Minister Mutsvangwa said the council’s interventions are, not symbolic, but impact-driven, and aligned with the thrust of the Second Republic under President Mnangagwa’s leadership.
“The city has established women’s clubs, provided financial literacy training, supported value-addition, created market platforms, facilitated access to national exhibitions, and offered strategic land allocations. This is what real empowerment looks like,” she said.
She said programmes run by the city are powerfully synchronised with her ministry’s agenda.
“We saw Mutare women shining at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo, agricultural shows, and even the ZANU PF National People’s Conference. These are not small steps, they are major leaps placing women-owned enterprises at the centre of national development,” she added.
Minister Mutsvangwa also stressed the significance of new markets that are under construction within the Central Business District, calling them engines of commerce that will anchor women entrepreneurs in sustainable spaces.
“These markets are not just structures. They are the heart of a future where women’s economic activities take centre stage in Mutare’s growth,” she said.
She further underscored Government’s commitment to advance women’s enterprises through policy, finance, and market access, noting that the Second Republic views women’s empowerment as central, not peripheral to achieving Vision 2030.
“There can be no meaningful achievement of our national aspirations without the full and equal economic inclusion of women. Government believes in women, and under the Second Republic, we are committed to create an environment where female led enterprises do not merely survive, but thrive,” she said.
Her remarks set the tone for an exhibition that showcased dozens of Mutare women excelling across sectors from food processing and crafts to manufacturing and beauty products.
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, reinforced the praise, describing the Expo as a direct expression of national policy being lived out at community level.
“This event is a powerful statement about the economic dynamism of our women. It aligns squarely with the National Development Strategy (NDS1) which envisions a decentralised, inclusive, and sustainable economy. Local talent is taking the lead here in Mutare,” he said.
Minister Mugadza urged locals and institutions to practise the philosophy of buying local.
“These products are not just commodities. They are the engines of Mutare’s economic future. When we invest in women, we invest in families, communities, and the provincial GDP. Let us support these entrepreneurs because when a woman succeeds, the entire nation flourishes,” he said.
He also stressed that the local authority’s efforts reflect President Mnangagwa’s development philosophy that no place and no person should be left behind.
“By creating platforms like this, we are decentralising opportunity. We are ensuring that every district in the province including Mutare becomes a self-sustaining economic hub,” he said.
Also addressing participants, Mutare Town Clerk, Mr Blessing Chafesuka said the city’s empowerment programme has grown significantly since its inception, and remains central to the council’s long-term vision.
“This programme is now five-years-old, and it keeps growing. Our intention is clear. We want to identify talent, support women entrepreneurs and create sustainability through structured empowerment,” he said.
He said the city’s commitment stretches beyond temporary interventions.
“We are planning for long-term economic transformation. Land for SMEs, strategic partnerships, training programmes- these are deliberate investments. We want to ensure that women can create businesses that outlive them, and we want to help them access opportunities even within the local authority,” he explained.
He said Mutare is working on linking empowered women directly to procurement opportunities within council structures.
“We want our own community to benefit from council projects. If a woman is producing quality products or services, why should we look elsewhere? We want to create a pipeline from training, to incubation, to actual economic participation,” he said.
In an interview, traditional foods exhibitor, Miss Precious Chiwese said her goal is to revive interest in indigenous dishes that many young people are slowly forgetting.
She explained that the Expo offered a perfect platform to showcase recipes passed down through generations.
“Our traditional foods are nutritious and affordable, yet people overlook them. The demand for indigenous grains and natural meals is rising as people seek alternatives to processed foods. If we continue promoting these foods, we preserve our culture and protect our health,” she said.
Another exhibitor, Mrs Joice Nyandoro said she began drying fruits after seeing how much produce farmers were losing during peak seasons.
“We realised we could turn waste into value. These products are natural, long-lasting and good for both adults and children. Consumers are increasingly embracing preservative-free foods,” she said.
She expressed hope that more small-scale farmers will adopt drying techniques to boost their income.
