Tendai Rupapa in MASVINGO
THE Goat Pass-on Programme is a people-centred initiative that embodies the spirit and enduring values of empowerment, wealth creation, resilience and improving the livelihoods of rural communities, Agric4She patron, First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, said while handing over 1 000 goats to Young Women for Economic Development (YW4ED) in Masvingo.
Goats are generally an easier and cheaper option for livestock production as they can thrive even in difficult conditions.
Amai Mnangagwa said the goat-pass on scheme was more than just asset creation through improving livestock breeds, but symbolises individual and collective quest for self-reliance, production and productivity.
She urged the young women from all the seven districts of Masvingo to pass-on the goats to vulnerable groups like the elderly, those with disabilities, widows and child-headed families so that they are not left out on the pedestal of success.
The First Lady has become synonymous with the economic emancipation of women to restore their dignity and ensure they respectably raise their families without venturing into vices like prostitution and drug abuse.
As the Agric4SHE patron, Amai Mnangagwa gave farming inputs to vulnerable groups of people.
The inputs included Compound D, Ammonium Nitrate, maize seed, sorghum seed, sunflower seed, ground nuts, velvet beans, vegetable combo seed, knapsack sprayers and pesticides.
Through her Angel of Hope Foundation, she also gifted the elderly, people with disabilities and orphans, some groceries while everyone in attendance walked away with rice and mealie-meal.
The mother of the nation also commissioned a solar-powered borehole and initiated nutrition gardens and fish ponds at Chidzikwe Secondary School.
In her address, the First Lady rallied women to be self-sustainable and to engage in projects that benefit future generations.
“As we gather here, we are not just participants in a programme but part of a community that is united and focused on uplifting ourselves and future generations into prosperity. Emboldened by the development philosophy ‘Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo’ and through the implementation of life-transforming projects and programmes, we are truly on to become masters of our destiny. Congratulations, makorokoto for this milestone,” she said.
At its core, the First Lady said, the Goat Pass-on Programme is more than just asset creation through improving livestock population and breeding.
“It symbolises our individual and collective quest for self-reliance, production and productivity, and eventually sustainable household livelihoods. By providing goats to women in our communities, we are not only offering a source of income but also creating a pathway for personal and collective growth.
“This is what it means to be united as a community. Together you will continue to achieve more and help transform your quality of life,” she said.
Poverty, particularly its negative impact on women and children, is a challenge that demands collective attention, the First Lady said.
Therefore, she said, access to productive resources, including livestock can be a powerful tool in breaking the cycle of poverty.
“Small livestock, including goats, offer a remarkable pathway to economic empowerment, especially for vulnerable households. I urge each of you to embrace the opportunity this programme presents. Let us pass on not just goats, but also knowledge, skills, support, and provision of safety nets.
“This includes cross-cutting areas such as the fight against gender-based violence, drug and substance abuse and improving health awareness on critical diseases such as cancer, among others.
“It is my hope that once the project grows, you also give back to the marginalised and vulnerable in our community. Ndingazvitenda zvikuru kuti mupindewo mubasa randinoita, mukurangarira vana mbuya navanasekuru, nherera neshirikadzi dziri mudzinharaunda dzedu,” she said.
The First Lady said philanthropy can only be carried out in harmony as unity of purpose is of paramount significance.
“Young Women4ED can also be meaningful philanthropic contributors to society. Pandinofambawo nezvandinazvo muchange muineni negoat scheme iyi pakupawo mbudzi idzi kana project yenyu yabereka yakura.
“In conclusion, I call upon women who are beneficiaries of the Land Reform exercise to take an interest in the new land tenure programme launched yesterday (Friday). The new programme ensures that all beneficiaries of land, including war veterans and people with disabilities have title deeds. This is a secure tenure document that allows us to use our land to find financing and to invest in our God-given land while giving impetus to production and productivity,” she said.
The mother of the nation implored beneficiaries of the programme to work hand-in-hand with livestock specialists to get training on the best practices to increase their livestock population to realise more economic benefits.
“Let us move forward together in hope and determination as we embark on this remarkable journey,” she said.
“When we rear goats, chickens, and ducks at the homestead, as grandmothers we will have something for our grandchildren. We must have all of these at our homes. If someone has nothing to do, they end up doing bad things because they won’t have anything to lay their hands on. These livestock start small and grow because someone will be looking after them. Everyone starts low be it in business and grows bit by bit.”
Amai Mnangagwa called for peace in homes and communities.
“You men must not beat women and you women do not trigger violence or do things that make men beat you. Be a good mother and role model to the children.
“When you are in the wrong, admit. As a mother you are the keeper, the defender because everything lies on your shoulders. We are grateful that God created us as women. Be strong in your home so that it grows and prospers.
“If you have a lazy husband as I hear from other provinces vana mai vachichema chema kuti vana baba havadi kushanda, do not relax. Take him along to the fields. What nickname do you have because these names are often given after our characters? How do you dress? Let us go back to our cultural norms and values.
“Our culture does not allow us to walk in the nude. Learn to live well as women and have good manners. Let us teach our children well. Young Women4ED I am pleased with your work because you are following what I teach you. I want you to venture into all the work that I started. Keep on doing projects because they benefit even generations to come. We do not want work that is left midway. Widows, orphans and people with disabilities need help. Keep helping them and have a long heart.
“Keep the goats well and we want to hear from those you would have assisted. I would be glad to hear that you are looking after vulnerable groups in your communities. Let us not just end with goats, but do many other projects. I encourage you to work with Agritex officers so that they take you through the project. Masvingo I wish to thank you for working hard. Remain united so your development is noticeable,” she said.
As the environment patron, she encouraged people to protect the environment by not cutting down trees and burning grass.
She also stressed the need to observe road safety rules especially before, during, and after the festive season.
YW4ED national chairperson, Tatenda Mavetera, who is also the Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, praised the First Lady for her empowerment initiatives.
“On August 6, we came to see you at State House when you said you wanted us to learn how to deliver services to the people and how to work hard using our hands. I want to thank you for showing us the way Amai.
“On August 21, 2023, you launched a programme called Young Women for ED and we are thankful. We thank you very much for empowering us. You did not just empower us to look for money but know good manners and look after ourselves. We are grateful that you have done a lot in the direction of Vision 2030. Our group includes members of Parliament and councillors because of your teachings which we keep close to our hearts.
“You uplifted us in a big way through mukando and there are women who are giving one another cars. When we went out there cleaning the homes of elderly people, it was through the First Lady’s teachings. As young women, we also did rabbits, fish farming, and piggery through you Amai. We are happy for the goat projects you have brought for us today,” she said.
Singer Sandra Ndebele, who is part of the Young Women for ED, paid tribute to the First Lady for “playing a pivotal role in shaping our landscape”.
“Throughout history, Amai, Women have been at the forefront of innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience. Today we stand on your shoulders thanking you for the way you paved for us as Young Women for ED. We embrace the opportunities that were given to us.
“We are into various projects and you made this possible through your initiatives and teachings. Together, through you mhamha, we have the power to redefine norms, break barriers and create a more inclusive and prosperous future for all. We, as Young Women for ED Amai, want to congratulate you on your doctorate. Amhlope, makorokoto for showing us how it’s done,” she said.
She said the organisation would continue working hard for the benefit of the economy.
Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Hon Ezra Chadzamira thanked the First Lady for her interventions and congratulated her on attaining a doctor of philosophy degree.
“I want to start by congratulating our mother for attaining a PhD, encouraging young people and women that education has no limit. Amai, we also felt eager to go back to school. Today you have brought us many things for everyone. Everyone present here will get maize meal and rice.
“In addition, the elderly, orphans and those with disabilities have been brought food and toiletry hampers. The school had no borehole but today our mother commissioned a solar-powered borehole. She has initiated a nutrition garden and fish ponds at the school.
“The school will also receive maize meal and rice for the continuation of the schools feeding programme done by the First Lady. Amai we thank you for empowering marginalised communities. We do not forget your First Lady’s widows’ association, which is empowering widows countrywide. Widows in this province are managing the projects you initiated for them very well.
“Their businesses are expanding. All your programmes are educative and empowering. Amai you are not selective, you embrace and empower everyone. Your love is unmatched,” he said.
So touched by the donations were the beneficiaries that they sang praises to the First Lady.
Mr Jameson Muronda, who lives with a disability, was on cloud nine.
“I am grateful to the First Lady because of her love. She frequently remembers us and ensures we have adequate food to nourish our bodies. She has a good heart and has given us a Christmas treat,” she said.
Ms Jerita Gatsi weighed in saying: “The First Lady has done a wonderful thing for us by giving us goats which we will keep so that the project grows big and reproduces, giving us access to capital to look after our families. She is a loving mother who means well for the nation.”
Mrs Tecla Mashari said she will forever cherish the First Lady’s commitment to empowering communities.
“I will forever cherish the First Lady’s commitment to empowering communities. She has unveiled many projects for the people of Masvingo and now she has brought us goats. This is a bold commitment to development,” she said.
