Rutendo Nyeve & Judith Phiri, Sunday News Reporters
THE Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in Bulawayo, Judith Ncube has urged Bulawayo residents to occupy spaces and harness opportunities that Government continues to avail in its thrust to empower the general citizens and better people’s livelihoods.
She said this while addressing a Business Economic Empowerment Forum (BEEF) workshop held in the city last week. The Government has over the past few years registered positive economic strides as evidenced by robust economic activity, a development that has been attributed to the policies being implemented.
The robust activity has been characterised by ease of doing business that has seen a number of entrepreneurs expanding their capacity through empowerment programmes like financing from different financial support providers.
It is in that vein that Minister Ncube encouraged Bulawayo business people to harness such opportunities.
“I have always been saying, what is happening with Bulawayo and the entire Matabeleland region. Let’s occupy our spaces. At times I often feel so hurt. At one time we once travelled to China. On our way back we met a lot of young girls and boys with their luggage.
We were able to talk to three of them who both narrated that they were entrepreneurs who had come to source various products which they sold in their shops in Harare and other parts of the country. I immediately asked myself where are the young Bulawayo girls and boys,” said Minister Ncube.
One of the key components in empowerment is information dissemination and skills transfer that in turn help business persons to establish support networks.
“Those with information are not willing to share with others. Those with the capacity to give or to borrow money, they scrutinise. If we have such gatherings and associations we will be able to share and empower each other
“I visited one of the entrepreneurs’ farm recently and what I saw was wonderful. What I then told him was that he should share the knowledge and skills with other young people so that when you are faced with challenges they will come and rescue you. This should be our motto.
Whatever you are doing today think of your neighbour because when you face challenges, the very same people will help you. As such let’s occupy our spaces. Lets stand up and be counted Bulawayo,” said Minister Ncube.
BEEF vice president Mr Mpumelelo Phiri encouraged Bulawayo business people to be honest, work hard and harness opportunities.
“Let’s be honest in our businesses. Let’s not work for today but have tomorrow in mind and work for growth. As an organisation we are saying come let’s work together and have one voice. The voice of empowerment and employment. If one is empowered definitely the other is empowered as well
“As people from Bulawayo, it’s high time we work together, rise and grow our businesses and create employment and shine as Bulawayo. We often complain that we get products elsewhere, it’s high time we manufacture our own,” said Mr Phiri.
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