A WAVE of empowerment is sweeping through Bulawayo’s ward 26, Emganwini, where a passionate community leader is turning vision into action through training unemployed women in various skills to form groups and share money after harvesting.
Speaking to Southern Eye, Young Women for Economic Development vice-chairperson Bridget Wusimbe said the co-operative, targeted specifically at women in Emganwini as a start, was designed to foster economic independence through collective farming and textile production.
“I have already secured nearly a hectare of land along Khami Road in Emthunzini. The land is fully equipped with irrigation systems, providing a fertile starting point for agricultural success,” she
said.
Wusimbe said she sourced a variety of seeds including carrots, rape and cabbages.
“We will work together to plant, nurture and harvest these crops as a group,” she said.
Wusimbe said once they sold the produce, they would bank the proceeds and share them equally, making sure they always retain the seed capital so that the project sustained itself.
“But the vision does not end there. The co-operative will also introduce poultry and pig farming. As I own a piggery in Kensington, I intend to offer hands-on training to the women, ensuring they gain not just theoretical knowledge but real-world agricultural experience,” she said.
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“To maintain transparency and accountability, the group will elect a committee comprising a chairperson, vice-chairperson, secretary, treasurer and one committee member. A bank account will be opened under the co-operative’s name to manage all finances collectively.”
Wusimbe said in a parallel effort to boost vocational skills, she planned to establish a sewing group.
“After a recent trip to China, I returned with sewing machines and fabric that will be used to train women to produce school uniforms and other garments. This second group will follow the same cooperative model, working together, selling products, saving proceeds and sharing profits,” she said.
Wusimbe said the project was about more than income, it shed light on dignity, collaboration and long-term sustainability.
“We are building something that will lift women out of dependency to leadership,” she said.
