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The Herald, 5 September 1991
WHEN a group of ordinary market women, concerned about the exploitation of women traders, met in the early 1950s to set up market clubs, little did they know that their efforts would later benefit grassroots women throughout the country.

And from that group, three women have continued with the struggle for economic independence and are now fondly referred to as the “foundations” of the Zimbabwe Women’s Bureau.

Mrs Cathrine Machanyangwa, Mrs Harriet Matondo and Mrs Gondo Masubey can rightly be called the unsung heroines, as their struggle to liberate grassroots women and their families dates back to the 1940s.

“We used to plead with the municipalities in the high-density areas to let us set up creches for our children. We started with Machanyangwa in Mbare and Gondo in Highfield,” Mrs Matondo said.

The women also set up netball and other sports clubs to train young girls and women.

“Before joining the Zimbabwe Women’s Bureau when it was on the verge of collapse due to lack of support from the women who at the time were not sure if it was for the benefit of learned women or grassroots women, we had formed clubs to assist market women to buy and sell their products, “Mrs Machanyangwa said.

Mrs Matondo chaired the Mufakose clubs, Mrs Masubey the Highfield clubs and Mrs Machanyangwa, who was still working at a crèche in Mbare, was president of the clubs.

In the late 1970s, the ZWB committee approached the market women with the aim of forming an alliance whereby the women would benefit from training and support in getting the donors and the ZWB would find a forum within which to operate.

At the peak of the liberation war in 1979, the three women were among other women who went to Silveira House to learn management and leadership skills.

“We were very frightened, having to learn with the sound of gunfire in the background. At night we used to sleep under our beds out of fear. But we stuck it through because we knew what we wanted and nothing was going to stop us,” said Mrs Masubey.

In 1980 they formed the Musika Wholesale Co-operative with over 700 women. The ZWB supported them.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

• Women empowerment in Zimbabwe continues to receive massive support from the government, Empower Bank is one such great initiative.
• Most women through education and familial privileges have in today’s world realised and appropriated their potentials in the best possible manner.
• It is crucial to realise that women in this modern era are not only equally competent but often times even ahead of men in several socio-economic fields, thus making their presence in the work front extremely important.
• Women’s economic empowerment is a necessity for sustainable development, pro-poor growth and the achievement of all the SDGs. At the same time it is about rights and equitable societies.
• If women are organised under one umbrella body, they can be effective in whatever they embark on, and make major achievements.
• Women participation in the economy boosts economic growth.
• Women participation in economic development, at whatever level, plays a major role in societal growth.