First Lady propelling women to the top…as she hosts unique bush dinner

Tendai Rupapa

Empowerment champion First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa on Saturday held a first-of-its-kind traditional themed bush dinner under the stars for aspiring businesswomen, both those who have made it already and those who are yet to be established, from all the country’s 10 provinces.

The dinner provided them with a platform to sharpen their skills, network, share ideas, and come up with solid business ideas to contribute meaningfully to the development of the economy.

Where women meet, success is guaranteed. They exchanged meaningful ideas, and the bush dinner was no exception, as the women met for a good cause.

Amai Mnangagwa’s wish is for women to reclaim their space, unleash their potential and rise from the surface projects, delving deeper into the base, and pursuing those projects that uplift their families, communities and the nation.

As it is said that iron sharpens iron, the dinner which was held at an amazing location, resonated with the spirit of unity, empowerment, collaboration and the commitment to uplift one another.

From now onwards it is going to be an annual event.

So immaculate was the open-air setting where domestic animals like cows and goats could be seen grazing as chickens ran about the yard while guests went about their business under the trees and stars.

The women came up with various business proposals that came up through the discussions they had. A union was proposed and board members were appointed.

Guests were treated to traditional dishes made from locally-produced ingredients.

Some of the dishes included plain sadza in cheese and cream as a starter, Mazoe Orange Crush chicken, chimukuyu, mazondo, mufushwa, sadza rezviyo, rice in peanut butter and tea hobvu nechimodho among other mouthwatering dishes.

In her remarks, the First Lady described the majestic bush dinner as a get-together that resonated with the spirit of empowerment, collaboration and the commitment to uplift women in business.

As the mother of the nation, she said, her heart swelled with pride as she recognised the incredible work that women do in communities, the economy, and their families and also as the driving force behind the country’s economic development.

“It is time for us to rise, to reclaim our space and to unleash our potential. Women are predominantly part of the superstructure businesswise and only embark on surface projects, but today we are delving deeper into the base, those projects that determine the economy.

“Madzimai, it is our time to also be movers and shakers of the industry and for our footprint to be seen. In light of this, today we are going to brainstorm on projects and by projects, I mean big projects that bring in big revenue such as acquiring equipment, establishing a factory or being at the advanced stages of the production business. We are not limiting ourselves today, we are letting our minds run free,” she said to applause.

The discussion, she said, had to yield results after all ideas had been brought to the table, collectively selecting practical ideas and forming groups for the various projects chosen.

“We are also going to deliberate on the financing of the said projects, we are all in it. If we are going to get a loan, then all of us should participate in unison when it comes to collateral. This means that we have to work hard to ensure that we succeed and avoid repossession of our collateral. Ladies, this arrangement, if successful, will prove to be historic, we are at the threshold of glory and the attainment of generational wealth for our families,” she said.

Dr Mnangagwa said she envisioned a future where businesswomen in Zimbabwe stand together shoulder to shoulder with their counterparts in society, having broken barriers that hindered progress.

She said it was possible for women to be just as impactful, just as innovative, and just as successful.

“Our experiences and insights are invaluable, and it is crucial that we embrace them with confidence and determination. Tonight, as we gather under the stars, let us remember that this roundtable is not just a once-off event. It signified the beginning of a journey; one that fosters relationships, cultivates partnerships and inspires collective action among women entrepreneurs.

“Together we can create a network of support that will propel us towards greater heights. Through joint ventures, we can achieve what might seem unattainable as individuals. By sharing our resources, knowledge and expertise, we can bring about innovative solutions and sustainable practices that can contribute not only to our businesses but also to economic growth in Zimbabwe. Let us collaborate on projects that nurture our creativity, harness our strengths and lead us to success.

“I urge each one of you to take the opportunities presented here tonight seriously. Form connections, engage in conversations and share your aspirations. Help one another rise to the occasion for we are stronger together. Let this roundtable serve as a launch pad for initiatives that will create job opportunities, stimulate our economy and empower the next generation of women leaders,” she said.

Dr Mnangagwa reaffirmed her commitment to the roundtable and enjoined women to rise together, inspire one another, and lead the way in the business landscape.

“Together, the future is bright and together we will make it happen. Now, let us embrace the spirit of this mystery bush dinner, savour the moments, network, share laughs and build relationships that will pave the way for transformative business endeavours,” she said.

Amai Mnangagwa emphasized the need for unity.

“All this is possible if we unite. If we plan to build as women, we build something solid. The power that we were given by God, the way he created us we are natural hard workers. Now I encourage you that the way we have met today, will not be the end, but we want to make this annual event. We do not want people who look back because where women meet, success is guaranteed.

“We encourage each other to work so that we can be seen as successful in business. You are the ones who make your names grow. As women, please believe in yourselves, do not let someone pull you down. I am very happy to meet you girls,” she said.

Earlier, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi, had given glowing tributes to Dr Mnangagwa who was the guest of honour at the colourful event.

“Our mother is an excellent hardworking woman. Here, invitations were extended to women in business – those who are starting up or those who started long back and others who are high up the ladder. Our mother chose to be an entrepreneur before she was the First Lady. We thought when she entered the First Lady’s office she would remain seated and enjoy the luxuries but she went on to do more. Her philanthropic work has towered above the rest. Today she has invited us all as women so that we leave this place empowered,” she said.

The women were given the floor to suggest business ideas and came up with a myriad of outstanding ideas.

Reverend Nelly Gwatidzo gave a moving testimony of how the First Lady encouraged her to rise up and work following an illness that left her husband bedridden.

“Amai said to me yes you are an evangelist, but do not wait for gifts from believers. That is when I opened my eyes. I am being sustained by my voice because of Amai and I am thankful for that, I opened my line of business which is counselling. I am no longer that pastor who always says ‘Thank you and may God bless you.’ I am now doing things that bring income for me to take care of my family. This is what Amai wants all of us to do, to be able to rise and work for our families. Our mother is saying where there is a will, there is a way. If a woman is bent on achieving something, she perseveres and succeeds. The name woman did not come as an afterthought. The Bible says God took dust and created man, but when he was creating a woman, he made a man fall into a deep slumber and took a rib from a man. So, you are a finished product hence all you desire will succeed. A woman who works has value. Be an asset in marriage, and be an asset to your children and the nation at large. But Amai vari kuti business needs discipline,” she said before bursting into the song “Mai Vedu Tinovada”.

“Our mother is saying even when going to work, find a side hustle that brings money home. Do something that brings money outside the pay slip.”

Mrs Patricia Muzondiwa from Bulawayo was over the moon.

“I came to Harare all the way from Bulawayo after an invitation to the programme that was being led by the First Lady. We have been given the chance to come up with various ideas. We gathered together and brainstormed and we are grateful for this opportunity. It is my first time to be invited to such a big and meaningful event where my ideas were being taken into consideration. I thank the First Lady and I am hopeful that under her guidance, we will get far,” she said.

Mrs Kavhayi from Bindura said: “We were working and doing our projects in a small way, but today we spent the day with the First Lady and were given the grace to learn about big projects, so we will teach our peers back home that if we collaborate and form groups, we can come up with successful business and build stronger homes. A clever woman must have money in her pocket. I am happy Amai said it is going to be an annual event so that we keep on sharing ideas,” she said.

Similar sentiments were echoed by Mrs Cecelia Muchechesi.

“I want to thank our mother, Amai Mnangagwa for the programme that she has held for us today. This has never happened before. She gathered us as women in business from the 10 provinces and we gave our views which were taken into consideration. We have hope for a brighter future and may God bless our mother,” she said.

Mrs Karen Nyenga from Harare Province said she felt honoured to have been part of the function which she described as impactful.

“I am honoured to be one of the invited guests to this function and I really found out that it was quite impactful for women in business. It is good to know that there are a lot of women who are of a like mind, who are interested in the development not only of other women or themselves but also of the nation. So it’s good to have such opportunities as what we have been given by Dr Mnangagwa and we are really looking forward to all the things that are going to come through from such an event. We are looking forward as well that as women who are in business, we will be able to impact other women who are in disadvantaged areas such that when it comes to the success of the nation, it is on the backbone of a hard-working woman, we are going to get a better society, we are going to get the plight of the girl child eradicated because women will be able to bond together, grow together into phenomenal things in business, in our community for our nation for the better good of Zimbabwe,” she said. – Herald