Beneficiaries in the city who received various forms of assistance in the form of funding, capacity-building, training and market lines to set up small businesses, told The Zimbabwean how their lives have changed.
Tombizodwa Tavagwisa, a carpenter who has defied odds and set up a carpentry shop that she personally operates at Mkoba six shopping centre, said though her business is met with stigmatisation from other women who do not want to see her venturing into a male-dominated enterprise, it has been a milestone achievement.
More capital
“I got support from the chamber of SMEs in the form of funding and I decided to set up this carpentry shop. Business is brisk. I specialise in the making of room-dividers, kitchen units, wardrobes, chairs, and just abouteverything made of wood. I would really want to expand my enterprise if I could get more capital.
“As a widow, I have four children to take care of and I must say things are now much better than during those days when I was unemployed,” she said. Her career started in 1992 when she graduated with a carpentry certificate at Chaminuka Vocational Training Centre in Mt Darwin.
“I have gained much experience from the companies that I worked for before. They include Richard Costain Africa; Kuchi Construction; John Sisk; Khama Construction, MSU and Zim Alloys. Other women discourage their husbands from purchasing my goods and other men also say what is made by a woman is not strong. But I challenge them on that fact due to my vast experience,” she said.
Another woman whose innovation is now the envy of many in the densely populated suburb of Mkoba and even beyond, is Sibonginkosi Tevera, 49. She has defied odds and set up a manufacturing unit that mainly produces refreshments like fruit juices – including their trade-mark squash, Royal Orange Drink.
Value addition
She started her small business three years ago. “We manufacture the Royal Orange drink using water, sugar, citric acid, flavour and colour. Our client base goes as far as Harare, Shurugwi, Zvishavane, Masvingo and Bulawayo. We also produce Maputi from maize we get from Grain Marketing Board and we supply individual customers with fast foods like chips and eggs. It’s a profitable business and thanks to the chamber of SMEs that gave us training on value addition and also funding and market lines. The joy of every woman shall only be in her economic power in these hard times,” she said.
She pleaded for more funding opportunities from the government to extend her enterprise by buying new equipment.
“At present we hire the machines that we use in manufacturing. There is also the burden of hiring vehicles to transport our raw materials from suppliers and finished goods to clients. Government must now come to help us even more with funding,” she said. In her business Tevera currently employs 12 more women.
Rumbidzai Hakunandapa, who now operates a Hair Salon at Mkoba 6 shopping centre, said what makes her proud about the new venture that she now operates after getting funding from the Chamber of mines, is the fact that she has risen above poverty.
“I only appeal to the local authority and Zesa to cut down their charges and ensure smooth flow of services. Sometimes we get 12 hour-power cuts and at other intervals just two days of electricity in a week. It is affecting our business as hair dressers,” she said.
One of the 55 fruit and vegetable sales dealers assisted by the chamber, Chagonda Raviro, was all smiles about the transformation brought into her life.
Starter packs
“The assistance we got was firstly the setting up of the market stalls themselves. They linked us to AfriCare, the NGO that funded the construction . Then they gave us starter-packs. We offer a variety of fresh vegetables to the community and so while we also earn a living through the business, it’s a good service to our people,” she said.
“Sewing businesses usually are not the preferred enterprises for women. However as for me, I have made a breakthrough and the sky is the limit. I urge other women to wake up and engage in activities like these that transform lives,” said Nomathemba Mugandanini, another beneficiary now well off through her sewing business in Mkoba suburb. After getting help from the chamber to buy an electric machine, she is now proud of the business, specialising in sewing school uniforms, safety clothing and casual wear for both children and adults.
Secretary-general of the Zimbabwe Chamber of SMEs, Rabson Hove, said more plans were in the pipeline to upgrade the lives of all their beneficiaries and others.
“We want these small business people to conduct model standard practices like book-keeping, banking their proceeds and generally move from being informal to formal business people. On the other hand we will continue to create opportunities that will see women getting opportunities usually associated with men. It’s an inspiration to us,” he said.
Post published in: Gender Equality