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Auxilia Katongomara Chronicle Reporter
THE Zanu-PF empowerment drive has gone a notch higher with the revolutionary party bringing more than 100 self-sustaining small to medium exhibitors to showcase their projects at this year’s Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF).

Exhibiting under the grassroots empowerment projects, the participants are part of the National Federation of Grassroots Women’s Club of Zimbabwe, a non-governmental organisation that works with the party.

The organisation’s founder, Betty Mtero, said the organisation was working hand in hand with the department of business development in the ruling party to empower women and create employment.

“This organisation was created to complement the department of business and liaison to enable women to empower themselves economically.

‘‘We also have men who have joined the organisation because we encourage both to empower themselves without waiting for someone to do it for them,” said Mtero.

She said Zanu-PF invited the SMEs to exhibit at the Trade Fair in order to expand their markets.

“For years now we’ve seen women who’ve formed their own companies, some are supplying shops with peanut butter, mealie-meal among other things.

“In rural areas we encourage people to grow traditional foods, which are in demand because they’re healthy,” said Mtero who is Zanu-PF’s director in the department of business development and liaison.

She said the organisation began with 20 clubs in all provinces and now has a membership of 5,000 countrywide.

“These people haven’t only created employment [for themselves] but are employers as well thereby corroborating Zanu-PF’s vision to empower the people,” said Mtero.

She said the exhibitors are drawn from all the country’s 10 provinces.

Mtero said the grassroots are trained on how to start and run a business and are nurtured to have a vision.

The exhibitors who are behind the Zanu-PF main hall are showcasing African designer clothing, leather shoes, beads and craft work among other innovations.