Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza, Online Reporter
SCORES of members of the Zanu-PF affiliate Teachers4ED on Sunday concluded a three-day economic empowerment training workshop held at Eveline High School, where they were equipped with financial literacy, entrepreneurial skills and sustainable wealth creation strategies by experts from various sectors.
Industry specialists from First Mutual, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), Bulawayo City Council (BCC), the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC), AGRITEX and other organisations took participants through practical presentations covering key aspects of personal finance and enterprise development.
Guest of honour, Zanu-PF Bulawayo Province chairperson Cde Jabulani Sibanda, urged civil servants to be proactive in preparing for life after retirement, warning that many pensioners struggle due to a lack of alternative income streams.
“Let us start preparing for a comfortable life after retirement now so that by the time we retire we have other sources of income that will add onto what we will be getting from our pension. Old age poverty is real.
“Teachers spend their adult life impacting knowledge onto others but it’s also important to learn from other industry experts on how you can start businesses and run income-generating projects,” said Cde Sibanda.
Teachers4ED Bulawayo Province head of mobilising, Ms Nikiwe Sibanda, said the workshop was crafted to empower members — who include teachers, women entrepreneurs, youth, cooperatives and aspiring business owners — with tangible economic skills to transform their livelihoods.
“The three-day economic empowerment workshop aimed to strengthen financial literacy and entrepreneurship skills among our members. We want to foster a culture of saving, investment and sustainable wealth creation because we recognise the pressing challenges of limited financial literacy, restricted access to credit and under-utilised entrepreneurial opportunities not only in Bulawayo but the country in general.
“The workshop was designed to equip participants with practical skills, knowledge and tools for financial independence and resilient livelihoods,” she said.
Ms Sibanda said the programme covered financial literacy, cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset, business planning, marketing and practical sessions on income-generating skills.
“Participants had the opportunity to engage with successful entrepreneurs, mentors and representatives from local organisations, including the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, AGRITEX and several speakers from the private sector,” she added.
