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Walter Mswazie in Masvingo
At least 90 women drawn from across Masvingo province recently undertook a one-week training course in financial literacy, project proposal and taxation, as part of inculcating a culture of entrepreneurship among them.

In an interview on the sidelines of a presentation of certificates to the trainees last week, Homelink marketing manager Ms Tendai Rafemoyo said the training was meant to empower women in business and those willing to start businesses.

“We are working in conjunction with the Great Zimbabwe University and Women Entrepreneurship Day (WED) to train women in financial literacy, project proposal and financial inclusion,” said Ms Rafemoyo.

“We have trained 90 women, all from Masvingo.”

Ms Rafemoyo said the women were equipped with hands-on skills which she hoped they will use to empower themselves.

“We have also done similar training in Gwanda and Harare,” she said. “Our aim is to cover all 10 provinces. We seek to empower women, as you know if you educate a woman you have educated the nation.

“We have equipped them with relevant business skills and now they know how to come up with bankable business proposals. We also took them through loan application and how to pay back loans, company documentation as well as basic taxation issues.”

Ms Rafemoyo said those trained would be assisted by WED, to come up with bankable business proposals which Homelink will be prepared to assist in securing funding.

She bemoaned lack of confidence that most women had when it came to applying for business loans even though their enterprises were bankable.

Most women, she said, could not take business risks yet risk taking was the name of the game.

One of the trainees who is into farming , Ms Chipo Mawanza hailed the training programme saying she has acquired relevant skills for her business and will ensure that it remains profitable.

“I am happy to get this rare opportunity to receive valuable training,” said Ms Mawanza. “I have learnt that a business is a separate entity and we must not mix it with family needs. I have learnt that in my business I should have a salary and treat myself as an employee. We thank Homelink and the facilitators of the training, GZU together with WED.”

WED ambassador Ms Angeline Mikiri said her organisation is working with a number of women in business in and around Masvingo.

She said WED’s main thrust is to empower women through partaking in entrepreneurship.

“We target all women and engage them in a number of empowerment projects,” Ms Mikiri.

“We have some of our members who are already into business like biogas, poultry, piggery and even ranching.

We thrive to contribute to the country’s Gross Domestic Product, in support of the government’s devolution mantra, especially in Masvingo.”