By Ndumiso Tshuma
Over three thousand women and youth in Bulawayo will benefit from jobs at the refurbished arts and craft centre in Mzilikazi, which was commissioned by the city council on Friday as an effort to increase the participation of these vulnerable groups in business and financial markets to improve their livelihoods.
The refurbished arts and craft centre is part of the Promoting Gender Inclusive Local Economic Development programme implemented by the Bulawayo City Council in conjunction with Gender Links and the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works to implement.
Financial support for the programme came from the Swedish Embassy.
Speaking at the launch of the refurbished Mzilikazi arts and craft centre under the Gender Inclusive Local Economic Development programme, Bulawayo Mayor, Councillor David Coltart said the event was intended to showcase the “wonderful” talent that lies in the city and region.
“US$22 934 was donated to renovate the building which amounted to US$78 624 in total by the Swedish Embassy and Bulawayo City Council,” Coltart said.
“The US$22 000 spent by the city included electrical works, changing old light fittings, replacement of damaged doors and window frames, replacement of closets and casting of a concrete apron and the fixing of chairs. The US$78 000 received was spent on floor tiling wall, internal and external painting, carpet construction, landscaping, paving and construction of ramps, repairing roof leaks, front fencing and installing a double gate, installation of a jojo tank and the supply of raw materials.”
The mayor said the majority of members to benefit from the arts and craft centre were women while men and youth were few.
“50 percent of the people involved are women, 20 percent are men and 30 percent are youths.” he said.
Coltart added that in over the three years of the project, there would be some 360 beneficiaries from the project.
Guest of honour, Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Winston Chitando claimed this programme will also add jobs for 3 600 women, youths and men.
“This centre will enhance access to finance markets and joint ventures for women and youth business,” he said.
According to Chitando, 12 local authorities were selected to be part of the Gender Inclusive Local Economic Development programme each representing a diverse range of communications and economic centres.
“This was through the support from the embassy of Sweden in Zimbabwe. This project is a process towards making Zimbabwe an upper middle income economy and that process is irreversible. It’s going to happen and it’s happening.” he remarked.
This Gender Inclusive Local Economic Development project includes a component of Horticulture, Infrastructure, Van houses and Mushroom houses.
“Through this programme viable local economic development enterprises have been established in two centres of excellence for Gender in local government.” Chitando stated and advised local authorities are advised to prioritise goods and services from women and youths
‘Local authorities will and should prioritise the proclivity of goods and services from women and youths, youths owned business.”
The local government minister said that economic development is not an event but a process as the country aims for 2030.
“Economic development is not an event, economic development is a constitution and what we are seeing today is a process towards vision 2030 of call to action, no compromise to service delivery.”Chitando expressed.
The Minister also declared that “Bulawayo City Council contributed the arts and craft centre to the project that resonates well to the call to action, no compromise to service delivery leaving no one behind and no place behind.”
