Zimbabwe: Norton- M. Matuvhunye (Manufacturing Tsotso stoves)

The Gender Links workshop that I attended at Chiedza Primary School in 2018 when I joined the project was an unforgettable event. The facilitators were very friendly, learning environment was also conducive and there was completely nothing one could ever complain about. The entire workshop was an eye opener to me in how a successful business has to be run. I really enjoyed the session on how to come up with a business plan and the record books that have to be kept when running a smooth flowing business.  

As upcoming business women we agreed to meet every Tuesday at Norton Council offices where our mentor is based. Our mentor is very courageous as she devotes her time to assist us despite having a busy and tight schedule as a full time council employee. Norton Town Council does not charge us for the weekly use of their place. However, as a group we have faced challenges like shortages of start-up capital. Our mentor then suggested that we start a revolving fund. This fund has not helped us all since some of the participants cannot even raise the $5 that is needed every week. As a group we are constantly requesting for some form of financial assistance from the local authority but due to the country’s economic meltdown the help has not come. 

My husband, Reverend Edward Matuvhunye, has been very supportive in the running of my business, Wisdom Stoves. He has assisted me in the planning stages and always reminds me to update my business records. Rev Matuvhunye has encouraged me to attend other similar workshops like the one which was organised and run by Kuhlubuka Development Trust. My children and grandchildren are also of great help as they assist me in delivering some of the finished stoves to my clients.  

My neighbours are happy because most school leavers in the area come to me for some training on how to make the stoves free of charge. Some of the school leavers would ultimately give me a token of appreciation for the skills I would have imparted to their children.   

The government is trying to help women by changing laws that were meant to view men as more superior as compared to women. The government is also on record as encouraging women to start up business both as individuals or cooperatives. Practically the government is just talk with no tangible evidence to walk its talk.