The Sunday News
Harare Bureau
THERE was lavish ululating, singing and dancing at State House when spouses of senior Zimbabwe Republic Police officers were met with First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa’s love, warmth and contagious smile.
At their first interactive session which was attended by representatives of police spouses from all provinces, the First Lady through her Angel of Hope Foundation donated two green houses to provide a platform for empowerment for the women. Green houses, which have been set up at Bindura ZRP Farm, will empower spouses of senior officers, while the other one is meant for spouses of junior officers across the country.
The donation also came with inputs and water facilities (boreholes) to help the women produce tomatoes, onions and other horticulture crops. She also handed over food hampers to all attendees and shared business ideas and tips.
The donations were meant to empower spouses of police officers who, like most people, have also suffered the brunt of the current economic environment, which has been worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic. Speaking at the ceremony, the First Lady encouraged women to embrace empowerment programmes in order to help sustain their families.
“It is a pleasure meeting with spouses of senior police officers from across the nation which is an indication of mutual respect,” said the Mother of the Nation.
“We are here to interact as women, discussing and sharing ways on how best we can be empowered be it at home or higher levels. Initially, I thought you had some projects running, however, today is a new day and it is never late to start, here we will share ideas on how best we can start.”
Amai Mnangagwa rallied the women to unite in their respective provinces in order for their projects to yield results. Exhorting them to stay cautious, she discouraged elements of corruption, citing that these taint their images and destroy projects.
“It is not good to be associated with such, we need to pull in one direction if these projects are going to be a success.
It is good to always reflect along the way either as a group or an individual, trace where you went wrong the previous time and build from those mistakes.”
Amai Mnangagwa said women were created with a strong resilience which helps them prevail under difficult circumstances. She also advised women to stand up for what is right, be of good morals and create good relations among themselves. In turn, this will build strong bonds within families, communities and their marriages, she said.
“Let us be good examples within families, uphold family ties and always remember that it is our duty as women to elevate the lives of our families and support our spouse. Empowerment will also curb issues of domestic violence so it is imperative to work and provide for our families because the men need us to assist them in providing for our families,” she said.
The First Lady urged women to shun begging, calling on them to take up opportunities that will uplift their lives.
However, she said there was a need for them to be transparent with their spouses to preserve their marriages.
“Our partners need to understand the nature of business we are into, transparency is key,” said the First Lady.
“Bear in mind that our hard work will also work as excellent life lessons for our children because they learn from us so let us not be shy to work for our families. We may have titles but behind the titles we are mothers, women or sisters hence we have to work for those who look up to us, in essence a title needs to be complimented by hard work.
As women, we are expected to carry the burdens of our families on our shoulders so we have images to uphold, let us respect their spouses and families by embracing ethics and cultural values.”
She also advised women to embrace healthy traditional dishes to feed their families, be smart, organised, economical in their activities and also strive to invest for a better future. Amai Mnangagwa called upon women to produce products for supplying supermarkets, fruit and vegetable stores and other entities.
Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development director Juliana Mapungwana commended the First Lady for creating a platform for women to share business tips and ideas.
She implored women to embrace the Women Development Fund which comes as an opportunity for women to engage into business.
“Our loan facility only charges 10 percent interest rate and after giving you the loan, you have three months’ grace period before you start paying back over a year. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for women which gives us a chance to elevate our lives,” she said.
Chief executive officer of the Zimbabwe Women’s Microfinance Bank Dr Mandas Marikanda also gave tips to those willing to venture into business. She called on the women to apply for loans through the ZWMB facility in order start up income generating projects. The bank, she said currently has over 90 000 account holders, and can still accommodate more women.
“We are pushing for programmes like the chicken value chain where we are also giving incubators to help you start up projects. We also have financial literacy training programmes where we are there to put your idea into fruition, guide you on how best to go about your business and grow,” she said.
The attendees applauded the First Lady for the first ever session through which they were able to share and learn.
“I never dreamt of one-day meeting Amai and having such an opportunity . . . for me this was a chance not to miss. I have been taught how to work and provide for my family and as well be a supporting partner to my spouse,” said Synodia Vambe from Matabeleland North.
Miriam Mutema from Matabeleland South said the interactive session was an eye opener and it will go a long way in empowering women.
“We have been taught how to start business even with the little resources we have within our reach, not forgetting how much we will benefit from the green houses that come as Amai’s kind gesture. I have realised that we have willingness but it was such ideas and sessions that we lacked. I am ready to share with others back at home what I learn here and as well to start my own project,” she added.
Through her hard work, last Thursday the First Lady was appointed patron of the Zimbabwe Builders Association. She has also introduced various empowerment programmes for women across the country.
