Momentors Academy, an institution that provides job skills training and professional development for women and girls, last Saturday hosted its inaugural graduation ceremony.
Twenty women and girls graduated after completing courses in baking, detergent making, information and communication technology as well as pedicure and manicure.
The graduation ceremony was held at the academy at the Vintage Shopping Mall, Makoni shopping centre in Chitungwiza.
The academy, the brain child of social entrepreneur and philanthropist Maureen Mbondiah Mandipaza, offers courses including introduction to computers, baking, marketing, hairdressing and bridal makeup.
Other courses include training in detergents, cleaning and liquid soap production, among other various programmes.
“We have started registration for the new intake which starts this month,” Mbondiah Mandipaza said.
“This month we are introducing new courses, thus driving, bricklaying, hairdressing, mindset training as well as business management.”
Among the invited guests were inspirational women including Varaidzo Dongo, who is the founding director of Chenjedzo Trust, a women-empowerment organisation and Roseline Chisveto an energetic, innovative and dynamic transformational leader with a strong focus on management, strategy, sales, marketing, public relations business development and business turnaround. Chisveto served as managing director for a manufacturing listed company, Turnall Holdings.
According to Mbondiah Mandipaza, the two guests were invited as a deliberate move aimed at inspiring the graduates.
“Varie sits on the board for Shamwari yeMwanasikana, an organisation that fights for the emancipation of the girl child,” she said.
“Despite being an activist and counsellor, Varie is the visionary of a women international organisation, Women of Grace, where she is ministering the word since 2017.
“On the other hand, Roseline has vast experience in the manufacturing and service industry having joined Turnall in September 2007 as marketing Services manager rising through the ranks to the managing director.
“Roseline has held senior positions at big corporations such Telecel and NetOne and she sits on a number of boards for a number of organisations.
“The idea was to bring them to the graduation ceremony and inspire other women with their speeches, which is exactly what we are trying to do as Momentous Academy.”
In their speeches Dongo and Chisveto urged women to work hard and achieve their dreams?
They reinforced the importance of positive life skills such as hard work, persistence and responsibility.
Another guest, Tofara Chokera, the founder of Women Tech and Tofara Online, urged women to embrace technology, especially online spaces in business management and creating networks.
Mbondiah Mandipaza said the purpose of Momentors Academy was to empower women and girls through comprehensive courses designed to equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to establish and successfully manage their own businesses.
She said they aim to eradicate poverty by creating sustainable economic opportunities and fostering financial independence among women and girls, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive and prosperous society.
Known as an “Entrepreneur for Women Excellence”, Mbondiah Mandipaza said she was looking forward to partnerships.
“You can come and partner with us in this great academic initiative,” she said.
