Zanu-PF Women’s League scales up mass production initiatives

THE Zanu-PF Women’s League has scaled up its entrepreneurship training programmes with the view of promoting economic growth through setting up of mass production industries for essential commodities, especially in rural communities.

The training programme is already transforming communities for the better with breakthroughs on those that have been assisted. On Thursday over 500 women in Chiwundura area on the outskirts of Gweru graduated after completing courses on self-help projects.

“We have come along with our training programmes. It’s time we go beyond the normal training for ourselves. The initial phase was meant to ensure that you produce for your households,” Zanu-PF Women’s League secretary, Cde Mabel Chinomona, who was the guest of honour, said.

“We wanted you to have clean homesteads and make some small income. It’s time to go big. We will be initiating the setting up of industries in your communities where you come together and showcase your skills for mass production.”

She said developing mass production entities would assist the country not to continue importing basic commodities as it has adequate skills and domestic raw materials to produce these.

“We can’t continue importing soap and petroleum jelly when we have the skills to do so at our disposal. Organise yourselves and put together funding for raw materials and leave the rest to us so that you go commercial,” said Cde Chinomona.

“We also have financial institutions like the Women’s Bank to make sure this becomes a reality.”

Some of the women who benefited from the training programme are anticipating life-changing experiences from the exercise.

“From this training I am seeing myself as a businessperson. I want to set up a tuck-shop where I will sell some of the products that I personally produce.

“This will help maximise on profits and hopefully my business will grow,” said Mrs Anesu Takawira, a mother of two.

Ms Norleen Nyoni (56) said she wanted to venture into full time soap production and penetrate the local market.

“I can foresee myself doing great in supplying local businesses with essential commodities. This will help me raise funding for my grandchildren and pay my bills. This project has given me hope at my age and I believe I can make it,” she said.

Miss Gladys Sibanda concurred with Ms Nyoni saying it was high time women rose to the occasion and start producing for their families. She commended the ruling party for engaging them on the self-help drive that contribute to the growth of the economy.

“From this moment, I see myself as an independent woman. I foresee myself being able to fend for the family on some essentials. I need to relieve my husband of part of the burden since I have been empowered. I want to thank our leadership for coming up with such projects,” she said.

Zanu-PF Women’s League national commissar, Cde Maybe Mbowa said such projects are being made possible by the Second Republic, adding that women hold significant power in the community and therefore need to be self-actors on matters to do with the improvement of livelihoods and socio-economic development of the country.

“The power that we hold as women is very significant. If we tell our husbands and our children what to do on August 23, believe you me it will be done. We also constitute the majority of voters and as such we hold the keys,” she said.

“Let’s go out there and make our President proud. He has given us empowerment projects and has given us slots in positions of authority and it’s our turn to say ‘thank you.'”

The Zanu-PF Women’s League took the opportunity to introduce the party’s National Assembly candidate for Chiwundura, Cde Sleiman Kwidini and several councillors who will represent the revolutionary party on the August 23 harmonised elections.