Munyaradzi Blessing Doma

In December 2024, Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe, in collaboration with Jack, a Chinese organisation, launched an women empowerment initiative dubbed “Weaving the Future, Women Empowerment Project”, which has greatly improved livelihoods in Goromonzi.

The sewing project which was showcased during a recent media tour of PLZ operations, highlighted how since inception, lives have been transformed as the women have managed to get numerous orders, so far ranging around US$15 000.

One of the seven women beneficiaries, Alice Ndebele ,49, who is married and has 6 children, revealed that she is also now fending for her family from the proceeds of the project.

“Even my husband is now appreciating the contributions I’m making in taking care of our family.

“Starting something is not easy, it is really difficult but now we are enjoying the proceeds of such patience.

“We can now finance our business on our own, because we get several orders which have really been good for our operations.

“Takutodyawo zvatinoda, kupfekawo zvatinoda, (we can now afford to eat or wear anything we want,” said Ndebele.

Ndebele added that their goal is to continue working hard so that they can accomplish their goals of expanding the business.

“At first we had to buy a few materials, contributing about US$10 per individual, but now we can buy five to 10 rolls of fabric.

“Other women actually think we are wasting our time, but our lives have been transformed, so our hope is that those naysayers can see the light and join us, because this has been helpful for us and our families.

“Imagine the building here is for free, machines are for free, the electricity is for free, so what better way to be empowered than that.”

Ndebele added: “I’m now contributing a lot towards the upkeep of my family and this has really improved my relationship with my husband.

“There were times I thought of quitting for instance when business was low, but my husband would strongly encourage me to continue because he had seen the benefits.

“I’m so happy that I joined this women’s empowerment initiative, it’s the wisest decision I made.

“We would like to acquire more tangible things, yes we are getting orders but we are praying that business booms so that we improve our lives immensely, something that will be admired by many.

“We are also looking at even helping others using our funds, so that we are true testimonies that when you are empowered, you should empower others.”

Felistas Rutanhira, the group’s leader said: “we are thrilled with what PLZ has done for us, our lives have improved dramatically.

“We are now well known and we receive new sewing orders on a daily basis.”

Patience Chizodza, PLZ Public Relations Manager said while this was the first of operation for the project, they were impressed with the progress which the women had made.

Chizodza added that it is their hope that the women will be able to train others so that the project can expand and have more (women) on board.

“This is one of the of the main community projects that we do, this is part of our inclusion initiatives at PLZ.

“This project was in collaboration with a Chinese organisation called Jack, so we gave the women machinery to start off with, this building that they operate from.

“It’s all part of PLZ, they just come here and work, and we also give them orders for their business,” said Chizodza.

She added that the women also get orders from some government departments and other surrounding businesses.

Said Chizodza: “several stakeholders have been very supportive of this project and obviously the aim is to expand and our hope is to have more women participate in this empowerment project.

“What we can say so far is that, just for this year, they have managed to secure orders amounting to US$15 000 from both PLZ and other business communities around us.”