Online Reporter
President Mnangagwa is today expected to preside over the second Young Women for ED Convention at the Harare International Conference Centre.
More than 8 500 young women are expected to attend, and thousands are already seated in the HICC.
The convention, held four years after the inaugural gathering in March 2022, will provide a platform for young women affiliated with Zanu-PF to discuss economic empowerment, business development, leadership and their contribution to national development.
Young Women for ED founder and ICT, Postal and Courier Services Minister Tatenda Mavetera said the gathering will also provide an opportunity for young women to reaffirm their support for President Mnangagwa and reflect on achievements recorded over the past five years.
“The first convention we had was on 31 March 2022, so today as young women, we have the second convention to pledge our support to President Mnangagwa’s leadership,” she said.
“We are now moving from just having small businesses to medium and large-scale businesses.”
The convention is running under the theme, ‘Enhancing and Building Partnerships for Young Women Towards Vision 2030.’
Delegates are expected to develop resolutions aimed at strengthening women’s participation in the economy, while Cabinet ministers will engage participants on opportunities in agriculture, tourism, mining and youth development.
Our Reporter Harmony Agere is providing live updates.
HICC erupts in song and dance
The Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) has been transformed into a sea of song, dance and colourful slogans as thousands of young women attending the Young Women for ED Second Business Convention turn the venue into a giant entertainment arena.
With DJ Zaza conducting proceedings from the decks, the atmosphere inside the packed convention centre is electric, with delegates singing along to popular tunes, dancing in the aisles and responding enthusiastically to slogans from the stage.
Chief Hwenje’s songs are proving to be a major crowd-puller, taking delegates through a selection of Kanindo numbers, while Sugar Sugar’s rendition of “Todye Mudododo” has lifted the roof, sending waves of excitement through the building.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police Band is also adding flavour to the festivities, getting the crowd on its feet with “Kumasero”.
By now, the venue has been filled up, with large numbers of delegates spilling into the overflow areas outside and following proceedings from there.
Several Cabinet Ministers, senior Government officials and Zanu PF leaders have already arrived at the venue ahead of the main programme.
As the music, dancing and chants continue to reverberate through HICC, all eyes are now on the entrance, with President Mnangagwa expected to arrive shortly.
Ministers pledge support for young women in business
Cabinet Ministers have pledged continued Government support for young women seeking to enter and expand their businesses, highlighting opportunities in finance, tourism, agriculture and mining.
Speaking during a panel discussion at the Second Young Women for ED Business Convention in Harare, Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said the Second Republic had implemented various programmes aimed at economically empowering women.
“As Government and the Second Republic we are doing a lot to uplift women,” she said.
“Through the Empowerbank we have created livelihoods and we have seen a lot of lives being transformed.”
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbra Rwodzi said women had significant opportunities to participate in the tourism and hospitality sectors, both in urban and rural areas.
“There is a lot of space for women in the tourism sector,” she said.
“Whether you are in the City or the village you can come together and create catering companies and other businesses within the hospitality industry.”
Mines and Mining Development Minister Polite Kambamura said Government wanted to see more women participating in mining, noting that opportunities extended beyond physical mining activities.
“The number of women in the mining sector is still very lol and we want more women to take up more jobs and businesses in mining,” he said.
“When people hear mining they think of digging and hard labour but there is a lot to choose from in the whole value chain.”
Minister Kambamura said Government had put in place measures to facilitate greater participation by women in the mining sector.
Agriculture Minister Dr Anxious Masuka echoed the sentiments, saying similar empowerment measures targeting women had been put in place to increase their participation in the agriculture sector.
The ministers encouraged young women to take advantage of the opportunities available across different sectors and contribute to the country’s economic development.
📸: Believe Nyakudjara
President Mnangagwa arrives for convention
President Mnangagwa has arrived at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) for the Young Women for ED Second Business Convention.
Upon arrival, the President toured exhibition stands showcasing various businesses and initiatives before proceeding into the main venue.
President Mnangagwa was greeted by loud cheers from the gathering as he entered the venue.
His arrival marks the beginning of the official programme of the convention, which brings together young women in business for discussions and engagements focused on economic empowerment and entrepreneurship.
The convention is being attended by thousands of young women from across the country.
Harare hails Young Women for ED growth
Harare Metropolitan Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Charles Tawengwa has hailed the growth of Young Women for ED over the past five years, saying the movement’s aspirations are aligned with Government’s Vision 2030.
Minister Tawengwa said Harare Province considers it an honour to host women from across the country for the gathering.
He said the province is home to a significant number of Young Women for ED members whose aspirations and values reflect the Government’s development agenda.
“Our province is home to quite a number of members from Young Women for ED,” he said.
“Their aspirations and values reflect those of the Government and Vision 2030.”
He also commended the movement’s growth over the past five years, saying its development has been followed with admiration.
We are a proud Zanu PF affiliate: Mavetera
Young Women for Economic Development National Chairperson Minister Tatenda Mavetera has reaffirmed the organisation’s allegiance to Zanu PF, describing it as a proud affiliate of the ruling party.
Speaking at the convention today, Minister Mavetera said the organisation remains committed to supporting the Government’s development agenda.
She said the second convention is more than a gathering, as it also marks five years of the organisation’s existence and provides an opportunity to celebrate its achievements.
The minister said since the establishment of the organisation, members have helped each other start businesses and acquire assets.
“We want to pledge our support. As Young Women for ED, we remain a proud affiliate,” Minister Mavetera said.
She said the organisation had made significant progress in implementing programmes aimed at empowering young women, while acknowledging the support it has received from the Zanu PF Women’s League.
The minister said the organisation’s programmes are aligned with national development priorities and were designed to build the capacity of young women to contribute meaningfully to the country’s economic development.
Minister Mavetera also expressed support for Constitutional Amendment (No. 3) Act, saying the amendment should be understood within the context of the country’s national development objectives and Vision 2030.
She said the longer electoral cycle will provide scope for Government to plan, implement and evaluate development programmes over an extended period.
