The Sunday Mail
Debra Matabvu
FEMALE students at tertiary institutions are among the most affected group by the current economic challenges.
Tuition fees, accommodation and food prices have skyrocketed, leaving them extremely vulnerable.
And this is precisely the reason why First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa decided to meet them on Friday at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ). Thousands of students from across the country heeded the call.
Most of them sought guidance from someone better placed to understand their challenges.
When Amai Mnangagwa entered the UZ’s Great Hall she unsurprisingly received a rapturous welcome from the expectant students.
The First Lady also had a group of 10 high-profile women from diverse backgrounds.
Discussions ranged from grooming and deportment; social media and peer pressure; project empowerment; sexual health; drugs; “blessers”; HIV/Aids and youth; hygiene; business empowerment; gender-based violence (GBV); sexual abuse; national identity; and heritage. In her keynote address, Amai Mnangagwa impressed on the students that self-determination and self-worth leads to success.
“You are the author of your own life. Stop waiting, do that thing you have been waiting to do. There is no point in waiting for the right time to do something because that time will never come. Be the heroine of your story, not the victim. I want you to feel change by what is going to happen here today,” she said.
“I urge you to have the drive and ambition and then go for it. You have to be encouraged in life that even if your path may wind and bend, it is still a path that is going somewhere. Keep walking, which is what we are doing today. You are capable of all things you have been telling yourself are beyond your means. You are budding with greatness, let it bloom.”
Running under the theme “Tertiary Girls on the Go #Connect, Develop, Empower”, the symposium was fittingly held during women’s month.
The young women were encouraged to be torch bearers and contribute to the country’s development.
Women, the First Lady said, had to be financially independent by focusing on business and entrepreneurship.
“We want to groom girls . . . who will mature to become women on the move and make meaningful contributions to our nation,” she told students.
“A good life is possible when the girl-child begins to think beyond ‘blessers’ and begins to create a tangible future through hard work and entrepreneurship. Tazviramba zvema blesser. The girl-child should not be left out of this development,” she added.
Red Lipstick Revolution founder and director Dr Abigail Magwenzi, who was also among the speakers, spoke to the young women on the need for a mind-set shift.
She immediately captured the attention of the gathering when she spoke about Zimdancehall chanter Enzo Ishall’s hit song “Smart Inotangira Kutsoka”.
“Instead of smart kutangira mutsoka, smart ngaitangire mu brain,” she said.
“Young women should use their brains to come up with ideas that change their lives, communities and the nation at large for the better.”
The students were encouraged to start businesses while still at school.
Zimbabwe Women’s Microfinance Bank senior official Mrs Barbra Muyengwa, who attended the symposium, said prospective entrepreneurs did not “require large amounts of capital to start businesses”.
“You can start with the little that you have and slowly the business will grow,” said Mrs Muyengwa.
Various exhibitors such as make-up artists, cosmetics distributors, catering companies and handbag designers, among others, graced the event and took the opportunity to mentor some of the students.
The Sunday Mail Editor, Mrs Victoria Ruzvidzo, shared with the girls how they could leverage on social media to market themselves.
“Everyone is Googling about everyone, be it employers or customers,” Mrs Ruzvidzo told the gathering.
“So create a strong profile and become active, millions of people are watching. Sixty-five percent of employers use social media to scout for employees. For someone who is just starting their small business, it is important to spread the word about the products or services you are offering, and what better way to do that than by making use of social media platforms.”
She, however, warned about the dangers of social media hacking, fake news and over-reliance on social media platforms.
Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister Professor Amon Murwira urged the students not to tolerate gender-based violence.
“The ministry has zero tolerance towards gender-based violence,” he said. “Female students should be brave enough to report any cases of sexual harassment. Five cases of inappropriate conduct reported to college authorities in the past two years were punished severely.”
At the end of the day, young women trekked back to the various institutions feeling empowered and ready to conquer the world and its challenges.
