adminJoseph Madzimure and Thupeyo Muleya
The Young Women for Economic Development (YW4ED) must take up the new opportunities created by Government in the National Development Strategy 1 so that they can play their part in economic expansion and wealth growth, Pan African Chamber of Commerce board member Mr Langton Mabhanga said over the weekend.
Speaking during a YW4ED virtual meeting, Mr Mabhanga said Zimbabwe was at a critical stage where everyone must play a part in building the economy.
“There are a number of opportunities; be it in mining, agriculture, tourism and food processing industry, among others.”
In the mining sector, Zimbabwe has vast mineral deposits, some of which remain untapped, and young people should take up opportunities in the sector.
“We are all aware that the Second Republic has charged itself through both Vision 2030 that is targeting to transform Zimbabwe into an upper middle income economy by 2030 and also the National Development Strategy 1 to developing the mining industry into a US$12 billion economy by 2023,” said Mr Mabhanga.
“Mining is becoming more demanding each day and more people are coming to take up mining.”
Young women were also urged to position themselves to access opportunities in horticulture, livestock and cropping, joining the many others now seizing these new openings.
Zimbabwe is a signatory to the African Continental Free Trade Area, implying that African countries have proposed to open borders in the trading of commodities, a development that will remove tariff barriers.
Mr Mabhanga said a serious Zimbabwean entrepreneur must be looking for markets across Africa to grow their businesses.
“Food and water are emerging issues across Africa. You have to be serious in building food models of food intervention to targeted markets,” said Mr Mabhanga.
Meanwhile, the youth in Beitbridge are upbeat that the recent launch of the Young Women for Economic Development chapter will unlock economic opportunities and boost most of the women entrepreneurs in the border town.
The new executive led by Ms Janet Taruvinga has hit the ground running, pushing for women to actively participate in economic activities including fishing, skills developments, piggery, and Boer Goats’ production, logistics, transport, and customs clearing, among others.
Other members of the chapter executive include Tapiwa Moyo (vice chair), Veronica Moyo (treasurer), Primrose Chitumbura (secretary), and Bevelyn Mbedzi (programmes coordinator).
Speaking during the launch, Beitbridge Expo chairperson Dr Anna Muleya said it was critical for women to embrace all opportunities that seek to develop them economically.
Women should help each other grow and take advantage of the economic development in Beitbridge, which was previously dominated by men.
“Nothing will come easy, this is an opportunity presented to us as women by the Government and we should take it up with both hands,” said Dr Muleya.
“That can be done individually or in groups and let’s continue to share ideas, exchange notes, networking, researching and focus on productive things, rather than spend time crying over an uneven field.
“There are many opportunities that are being thrown at us and we will only have ourselves to blame if we don’t act, and the time is now.”
Acting District Development Coordinator Mr Jahson Mugodzwa said the Government was rolling out a number of programmes to enhance economic development for youths and women.
He said the success of the women’s projects would contribute to the development of Beitbridge district.
Ms Taruvinga said the initiative will help capacitate young women between 16 and 45 with skills that help them to run sustainable businesses.
Online Reporter