Chronicle Editor
Sandisiwe Gumbo, Sunday News Reporter
In a bid to bring women from all walks of life together, and foster inspiration and empowerment, Bulawayo women held a remarkable High Tea Party yesterday.
The event was organised by three acquaintances, Mrs Nozwelo Ntini (46), Mrs Samukeliso Ncube (56) and Mrs Sefelipelo Bhebhe (62) running under the theme “Women Enrichment”.
“Women Enrichment implies moving away from being passive human beings as women, whereby most things are done by men, for example, Zimbabwe is a patriarchal state where inheritance issues mostly negatively affect women, so we thought it was an important idea to bring in a legal expert, Mrs Nozipho Matumbu one of the owners a local legal firm to the event,” stated Mrs Ntini
The event aims to create a platform for women to share their experiences, motivate each other, and encourage personal and professional growth.
“Bulawayo is a quiet city, where common events are weddings, birthdays. We thought of a platform to bring women together from different walks of life to inspire each other by our journey in life and business, promote each other’s businesses, empower women, just to mingle and socialise as women. Our vision is to hold such events more frequently, do teas for the corporate world, churches and any social gathering,” said Mrs Ntini.
The High Tea Party was a grand affair, with the venue adorned in dark green and white, symbolising elegance and sophistication.
The event featured an array of delectable food options, adding to the overall charm of the gathering.
“We had finger foods, which consisted of sandwiches (tuna mayo, cheese and mustard), quiches, cakes (carrot and carrot loaf, blueberry and chocolate), macaroons and different types of teas. A refreshment station of both alcoholic and virgin punch was placed at the entrance.”
Women from various backgrounds took to the stage to share their stories of triumph over adversity. Mrs Matumbu focused on the intricacies of law and inheritance, shedding light on the importance of understanding legal rights in order to protect one’s self and loved ones. Her insights provided valuable knowledge to those in attendance.
“It is a common fact that women tend to live longer than men, so most of the times you find that women are left behind. There are more widows than widowers thus we are affected by these issues of inheritance more than men. They tend also to be affected by the issues of inheritance as we tend to find that the property that we acquire whether it is during marriage or just a relationship, usually it is registered under the name of the man and women tend to be content with the fact that they know they have a property even though their names are not included under the property, we just like the idea of it but we are not dedicated in engaging and getting into detail. It becomes an issue when their spouses pass away, some people want to take away everything from the wife as soon as the man is gone. This is why we want to empower women through encouraging them and educating them about these issues.”
Another inspiring speaker, Mrs Roseweeter Chimberengwa; principal and owner of Gwanda Christian School recounted her journey of overcoming hardships to establish her own school. She highlighted the challenges she faced along the way, emphasising the importance of perseverance and determination in achieving one’s goals. Her story served as a beacon of hope for aspiring entrepreneurs in the audience.
A passionate advocate for travel and tourism, Mrs Thandeka Sibanda, owner of Oasis Traveling Agent, shared her experiences and encouraged others to explore different destinations. She emphasised the positive impact that tourism can have on local communities and economies.
A lodge owner shared her entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the rewards and challenges of running a hospitality business. Her story resonated with many aspiring businesswomen in attendance, providing valuable insights into the industry.
Looking towards the future, Mrs Ntini and her friends expressed their desire to organise more tea parties catering to different sectors such as the corporate world, churches, and various social gatherings. Their vision is to continue fostering a sense of unity, empowerment, and inspiration among women from all walks of life.
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