Online Reporter
Blessing Chizhande
A donation of sewing machines from a United Kingdom-based Methodist church member is set to boost women’s economic empowerment initiatives in parts of Matabeleland South Province, with beneficiaries expected to use the equipment to produce school uniforms, reusable sanitary wear and other products for local communities.
The first batch of sewing machines is destined for the Methodist Ensango Block Village 5 congregation in Insiza North, while another 10 machines have been earmarked for women’s groups at Shangani Mine in Ward 23.
The equipment was donated by UK citizen Mrs Julie Phillip through the Bulawayo Methodist Episcopal Church to the Ensango Block Village 5 Methodist Church branch.
The machines are currently in Bulawayo and arrangements are underway for their transportation to Ensango under the coordination of church representative Mama MaZondo.
From Ensango, 10 of the machines will be transferred to the Shangani Mine Ward 23 Ladies Group, a community-based collective that has embraced empowerment projects aimed at improving livelihoods and promoting self-sufficiency among women.
The development was confirmed by Ward 23 residents Mrs Faith Luphahla and Mrs Rebecca Ndlovu, who are among community members participating in the initiative.
The pair recently met Ward 23 Shadow Councillor and New Eclipse Mine chief executive officer Cde Sikhanyisiwe Nkomo seeking assistance to transport the machines from Bulawayo to Ensango and subsequently to Shangani Mine.
Speaking during the meeting at New Eclipse Mine 2, Mrs Luphahla commended the Methodist Church for extending the project beyond its membership and opening it to women from different denominations and backgrounds.
“I’m so proud of the empowerment project initiated by the Methodist Church through their Bulawayo member, Mrs Isabel Ndebele,” she said.
“We visited the Bulawayo Methodist branch after hearing about the donated machines. What we heard there really impressed us. We began to wonder: if all churches worked like that, communities would grow through projects.”
Mrs Luphahla said the project seeks to benefit the wider community rather than church members alone.
“She taught us that the sewing machines are donated to assist not only Methodist members. The call is extended to all community women willing to join the sewing teams. The machines will be used to sew affordable sanitary pads for the poor, and cheaper school uniforms for our children,” she said.
She said the group had been struggling to raise funds to transport the machines and host church representatives for the official handover ceremony.
Mrs Luphahla expressed gratitude after Cde Nkomo provided US$110 towards transport costs.
“Councillor MaNkomo once assisted us with transport when we visited the Bulawayo Methodist Church. Today, she has given us US$110 for transport to bring the machines here and empower society. For almost a week we were desperate, asking where we could get the money. Today, you are the answer to our prayer. May God bless you, bless your mine, and bless Shangani. As a community, we now have a way to support our children with uniforms, sanitary pads and to do business with those machines,” she said.
Mrs Ndlovu also welcomed the support, saying it had removed a major obstacle to the implementation of the project.
“Thank you so much to our shadow councillor, for covering all our expenses. You have lifted our heavy burden. We tried elsewhere and failed to get assistance. Truly, you are a blessing in this constituency. You are approachable, kind, and honest in your duties. May God bless you abundantly,” she said.
With transport funding now secured, organisers say attention will now shift to moving the machines to Ensango Village 5 and later to Shangani Mine Ward 23, where training programmes and production activities are expected to commence following the official handover ceremony.
The initiative is expected to create income-generating opportunities for women while improving access to affordable sanitary products and school uniforms in the communities.
Bunjiwe Mkwananzi