Women Entrepreneurship Hub transforms women

By Angeline Zimbwani Mikiri It’s a group of 256 women who have so much in common, that is transforming livelihoods through engaging in various business skills. The Hub has kept women busy in the sense that not only women are doing business but they are being inspired each day through their day to day activities. The Hub consists of cross border traders, online traders, exporters, importers, farmers, miners, manufacturers of household goods, those in catering business, real estate gurus, transporters, those in the energy sector, pharmacists, hoteliers, engineers senior officials in the cooperate sector and government. The Hub is a market place of ideas. Inspite the hub being the market place of ideas there are challenges that affect the growth of business among women. Majority of women are running their businesses but why is it that there is limited growth in women? Ms Prisca Mazhindu laments a cause for concern for women entrepreneurs to support each another, We must must develop culture of making sure we raise each other up among ourselves instead of sourcing goods externally. The issue of some financial institutions who are charging exorbitant interests and the short repayment time. This is making it difficult for our business to thrive. Senior Lecturer at Department of National Studies and Entrepreneurship at Masvingo Polytechnic College Mrs Pfuurai Mazarire Mahuni urges women to plan their things and think ahead. ‘When it comes to business, women must be disciplined. Women must be taught financial literacy and the correct way of doing business. Be a market oriented person, do something that you are passionate about. Do not just be in business for the sake of it but you need to have a clear vision of what you aim to achieve’ she adds. Prominent business woman and Pastor, Pastor Zivai Pabwe highlights that the Hub has transformed the lives of women socially and economically, it’s a market place of ideas. She encourages stronger partnerships. ‘Let’s do tangible projects that transform our lives fully. Let’s harness and make us of all the ideas that are within the group’ Business woman and farmer Ottilia Chakona reiterates that, “the Hub has a bottom up approach than a top bottom approach which has turned out positively to enhance the community’s financial sustainability. The Hub has encompassed everyone. The Women entrepreneurship Hub has grown to develop what is needed by the community at large by way of selling various products hence sustainability.’ She adds on to say that the’ Hub has improved participatory planning activities thus involving in conceptualization of various projects through interaction. Family lives have improved through the Women Entrepreneurship Hub.’The Hub started at the celebration of women entrepreneurship Day in November 2016 in Masvingo Zimbabwe. From there it has grown in leaps and bounds with a strong membership.