Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
TWO young women from Gwanda are revolutionising the local employment sector with their new business venture. Ms Sininisethu Nago (19) and Ms Sigcinweyinkosi Ndebele (22) have turned their dreams into reality by establishing Matabeleland Fencing Solutions.
Their fence-making business has gained considerable attention and admiration in the community, and the pair are now looking to expand their venture to help other youths in need.
Their new-found success is the result of their courage, determination and participation in a three-month training programme at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic.
The programme is a partnership between the polytechnic and Zimbabwe Health Intervention (ZHI) under the Dreams initiative.
Dreams’ goals are to empower young girls and women by providing them with youth-friendly reproductive healthcare, social asset building and education. The programme is also supported by USaid, which provides further community support for HIV and violence prevention.
Annually, 85 young women receive training in manufacturing, fabrication, fence making, solar installation and mechanics. Ms Nago and Ms Ndebele are two of the 85 young women from Gwanda who completed the programme last year.
“We completed our training in October last year and at the beginning of this year, the polytechnic helped us to get working space and to establish a business,” she said.
“We are into fence making and our main clients are people in need of fences for their premises, especially those in the rural areas.
“Our business is still growing but we are determined to become one of the major suppliers of fencing material in Gwanda. This can be possible through hard work and determination.
“If we can get equipment and come together with other youths we can upscale our production,” she said.
Ms Nago said it is also their desire to establish a large industrial area where they can house youths with various skills to offer services to clients under one roof.
Ms Ndebele said the training they received empowered them as young girls. She said she intends to utilise the knowledge she has acquired to contribute towards the development of the economy.
“As young women, we become susceptible to abuse as some will be in desperate need of finances. Such programmes help empower us so that we can become financially independent,” she said.
“I couldn’t continue with school because of financial challenges but now, I have been equipped with a crucial skill.”
Speaking recently, during the annual graduation ceremony, Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic principal, Dr Ngoni Moyo, said their partnership with other stakeholders has helped the institution to fulfil its mandate of developing human capital.
She said last year, 85 youths were trained in bakery, catering, beauty therapy, electrical house-wiring, brick and block laying, basic motor vehicle maintenance services and solar installation. Some of the youths have embarked on small-scale production. — @DubeMatutu
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