After ending 2023 on a high, progressive women development organisation Empowered Women has set the tone for a productive 2024 after hosting a high powered inaugural meeting for members at Alex Sports Club in Harare.
Dubbed On your marks, the engagement saw Empowered Women members from all sectors of the economy coming together to share ideas and experiences on how to guarantee excellence and productivity during the course of the year.
Speaking at the meeting, the organisation’s founder and director Sibonokuhle Buhlungu challenged women to rise above mediocrity so that they unleash their full potential.
“Our focus is to build an empowered and wholesome woman who is able to achieve her dreams through applying the right principles and values in her work,” she said.
“We must strategically position ourselves and authentically show up through embodying excellence and productivity in all that we do.
“The goal is to outdo our potential in the quest for self emancipation.”
Buhlungu highlighted the importance of networks so that one attracts the right energy in their work.
“Association is important, learn to separate people,” she said.
“There are people who should be in your vicinity but not in your circle.
“Make sure that your circle attracts the right energy especially as we start the year.
“It's on your marks, get ready and go for all members so that we all achieve our goals.”
One of the speakers Chipo Mahamba, a social entrepreneur and an Empowered Women member also shared her life story encouraging women to go all out in their pursuit of excellence.
“Life is about getting ahead and staying ahead and as empowered women we want to build sustainable ventures that add meaningful value to our lives as well as the broader community and economy,” she said.
“Whatever your interest area, make sure you are fully invested in your work so that you become a hybrid brand that attracts value and sustains beyond you.”
As women continue exploring avenues for growth, various strategic partners attended the inaugural meeting where they unveiled various opportunities for the members to tap in.
Among the invited partners available were BancABC, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Corporation (SMEDCO), Shop UK and Sassy Interiors.
SMEDCO operations director Rosemary Nyaradzayi Mazo commented Empowered Women for the good work they were doing and promised more support and collaboration during the course of the year.
“We want to entrench a culture of excellence and productivity among our local SMEs and I am happy that as Empowered Women you are doing all it takes to get ahead in your pursuits,” she said.
“In all that you do, accountability is central to progression. Make sure you are the person who makes things happen.
“A victim mentality won't get you anywhere.
“Be a woman who makes things happen, be accountable and acknowledge reality in all you do.”
Mazo also emphasised the importance of collaboration and that women should explore opportunities available at her organisation.
“SMEDCO is an entity under the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community Small and Medium Enterprises Development and we are designed to unlock the value of entrepreneurs working closely with your organisation,” she said.
“We must make the right footprint and leave a legacy for generations to come.”
Speaking on the sidelines of the meeting, Daisy Payne one of the Empowered Women members acknowledged the good work being done by the organisation and pledged to do her best to unlock value during the course of the year.
“Empowered Women has been a great revelation and launchpad for my dreams and I am more than grateful for the empowerment received to date,” she said.
“Like we have been taught, the main thing is to keep our main thing the main thing without swaying from the ultimate.
“It has been a great experience since day one and I am grateful that we have become a community of doers that continuously explore ways to get ahead and stay ahead.”
Other partners among them BancABC and Shop UK also engaged the women about various tailor-made services and opportunities available for them under Empowered Women auspices.