The Zimbabwe Young Influencers (ZYI) and Strategic, Transformation, Incubation and Release (STIR) are joining efforts for a joint Africa Day Commemoration aimed at promoting entrepreneurship as well as small and medium enterprises.
The event to be held at Organikks Ndizvo in Chisipite, will run under the theme: Developing Africa through Entrepreneurship and ZYI events and networking coordinator Florence Edina Kurasha said they had pulled all the stops towards a successful event.
“We are happy to be partnering with STIR in hosting this powerful event where respected industrialist and business mogul Shingai Mutasa will be the guest speaker,” she said.
“The goal is to raise a new generation of entrepreneurs that can effectively contribute to the growth of the Zimbabwean economy and indeed Africa as a whole. We are upbeat about the prospects and we are counting down to the day.”
Kurasha said a maximum of 50 participants is expected to attend so that post-event they can monitor and evaluate their progress.
“The May 25 event is a business incubation of some sort where beyond the training we will make follow ups with participants to determine to their progress and see how best we can further support them,” she said.
“This is not just a calendar event but something we have strategically designed as a way to grow vibrant and sustainable entrepreneurs.”
Kurasha's sentiments were echoed by STIR's Nicholas Bhero, who said they were deliberately investing in curriculum that facilitates a shift from an employee mentality to an employer mentality among their students and training programme beneficiaries.
“The STIR programme is about practical solutions to economic growth challenges in Zimbabwe and Africa and we are happy to partner with ZYI in this tailor made Africa Day Commemoration and Entrepreneurship training programme,” Bhero said.
“We are living no one behind in this quest and we strongly believe this will be a first of many such tailor-made programmes to empower young people in Zimbabwe.”
Kurasha said they were happy to have received support from a number of indigenous corporates that see value in the entrepreneurship mentorship programme.
“We are happy that a number of indigenous corporates have come on board to support this initiative and we hope they will continue with the same spirit as we roll it across Zimbabwe,” she said.
“Companies like Dariro Mode, Life Shop Fitters, Gray Home Construction Esteem Communications, Allusol Design and Fitting Experts Hire Insights, Bliss n Bellis, Heavenly Delights and Gripline Tyres have all supported the event in one way or the other.”
Bhero said the Africa Day event was designed to promote excellence and productivity and the Zimbabwe Young Influencers were partnering with his organisation in hosting the business symposium.
“Our guest speaker at the event is respected industrialist Mr Shingi Mutasa who is expected to share his wealth of experience with the new generation doers under the ZYI auspices,” he said.
“The event is aimed at nurturing and grooming the next generation of entrepreneurs who can defy odds and shrug adversity to become the best in their respective fields.”
The Zimbabwe Young Influencers Trust was founded in 2021. It is a trust organisation of young Zimbabwean, at home and abroad committed to the ideals of meaningful participation in national developmental affairs and giving positive and progressive influence to the local community and beyond.
For its part, STIR has partnered with Women’s University in Africa in designing development-oriented training programmes that are making a big difference in the country.