Chronicle Editor
Michael Magoronga, [email protected]
A TOTAL of 137 women at 5 Infantry Brigade graduated from Tonganyika Trust Vocational in Midlands Province last Thursday, after completing short courses in various skills.The women, drawn from dependents of soldiers and female soldiers, graduated from various courses ranging from Detergents Formulation, Hotel and Catering, Beauty Therapy, Early Childhood Development, Information Technology and Morgue Attendants.
The courses were conducted in two phases, one which ran from 27 February to 4 March 2023 and another from 9 May to 14 May 2024.
A brainchild of Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Tongai Mnangagwa and his family, the trust is conducting the courses across the country as it seeks to empower women with life skills.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Deputy Minister Mnangagwa said the initiative seeks to empower female soldiers and spouses of soldiers who are often left out as they are confined to barracks.
“This group is usually left out of empowerment programmes that take place outside camps. “We therefore sought to empower families of soldiers and they should take part in such programmes in line with President Mnangagwa’s vision of leaving no one and no place behind,” he said.
The Deputy Minister said those who graduated would be equipped to venture into industry.
“The training was the first phase, so that you learn the skills and now, we move to phase two where we give each one equipment, which is in line with your trade so that you can start working for yourselves. Those who want to work, we will try and see that you get the jobs,” he said.
The programme has so far been conducted in Beitbridge, Plumtree, Kariba and Kwekwe.
“We are going around the country to empower communities and eradicate poverty through life skills in the face of the El-Nino induced drought. We are also targeting orphans, youths and widows who are incapacitated,” he said.
Deputy Minister, Mnangagwa said they have since entered a partnership with Spar who have committed to purchase some of their products for resale.”We have a strong working partnership with Spar and they have promised to take some of our products. We are still in talks with more shops so that we can supply to a number of shops,” he said.
Commander 5 Infantry Brigade Brigadier General, Mpulaeng Siziba said the response to the programme has been overwhelming.”At first, they did not understand what was happening but after seeing the first group, they came in their numbers. “We welcomed the programmes as 5 Brigade and I promise that the programme will continue running,” he said.
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