Staff Reporter

Women in Nerupiri, Gutu South Constituency, are reaping the benefits of community empowerment programmes, launching various income-generating projects that have transformed their livelihoods.

Under the Mabharoni initiative, women have been organized into groups focusing on poultry, goat farming, and fishery projects, contributing to Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 goal of ensuring inclusive economic growth and leaving no one and no place behind.

The programme, which started with an initial donation of 50 chickens from Gutu South Member of Parliament Hon. Pupurai Togarepi, has expanded significantly, creating sustainable livelihoods for women in the community. According to team leader Deborah Mafuva, the initiative has seen tremendous growth.

“We have three different groups. The first group consists of 32 people, the second group has 20 members, and the latest group, which started two months ago, has 13 members. So far, the first group has saved $19,756, while the second group has accumulated $9,000. Last year, we shared our profits, and some members managed to drill boreholes, start goat farming, and engage in fish farming,” Mafuva said.

This initiative aligns with the Government's Vision 2030, which seeks to create an upper-middle-income society by empowering marginalized communities through sustainable economic programmes. By fostering entrepreneurship among women, the Mabharoni initiative is playing a crucial role in ensuring financial independence and community development.

The financial success of the programme has allowed women to invest in household essentials and business assets. Many have purchased furniture, fridges, stoves, and solar panels, improving their quality of life.

One of the beneficiaries, Constancia Mashungupa, emphasized how the initiative has provided economic opportunities that were previously out of reach.

“This project has benefited many in our community. After receiving the initial donation of chickens from Hon. Pupurai Togarepi, we formed a savings club where members could borrow money and return it with 20% interest. Through this, we have expanded into other projects, and last year, we were able to buy fridges, solar panels, and beds from our proceeds,” Mashungupa said.

Another beneficiary, Fadzai Mutiva, explained how the programme has changed her life, enabling her to achieve financial stability.

“I have benefited greatly from this initiative. I managed to drill a borehole, and I am now planning to grow cabbages. I also intend to start an egg production project,” Mutiva said.

Hon. Pupurai Togarepi reiterated his commitment to supporting community-driven initiatives that uplift women and contribute to the broader Vision 2030 agenda.

“Empowering women is a key pillar of Vision 2030. We want to create opportunities that allow every Zimbabwean to contribute to economic development. These projects are transforming lives, and we will continue to support such initiatives to ensure no one is left behind,” Togarepi said.

The women empowerment programmes in Nerupiri continue to grow, with more participants joining and diversifying their projects. By creating sustainable livelihoods, the initiative is not only improving household incomes but also strengthening community resilience, making a direct contribution to Zimbabwe’s goal of achieving inclusive and sustainable development by 2030.