Women, youths can change Africa — Dr Mwanawasa
ZAMBIA’S former First Lady, Dr Maureen Mwanawasa, believes women and youth can transform the continent through agriculture and entrepreneurship.
Speaking at a breakfast meeting for female entrepreneurs in Harare yesterday, Dr Mwanawasa said Africa stands to benefit from markets in the West if it optimises its land to produce.
“Going forward, youths should invest in agriculture as the sector can revolutionise the continent,” she said.
“If you look around you, go onto the streets, there are people selling farm produce, which cannot only benefit people individually but also as a country and as a continent.
“Besides being farmers, there are opportunities in value addition of vegetables and fruits. These can be exported to countries overseas to earn the country the much-needed foreign currency.”
She also said there was scope for youth to tap into alternative energy in the wake of climate change.
Dr Mwanawasa, who is wife to the late Zambian president Levy Mwanawasa, said it was important for women to take up leadership positions in business and politics.
“As women, we must come out of the shadows of our spouses and have something that defines us as individuals,” she said.
“Let us take up leadership positions in business and politics and fight for the marginalised groups like ourselves.
“In so doing, we are not only uplifting and empowering communities but finding our purpose as individuals.”
Speaking at the event, optometrist Dr Solomon Guramatunhu said women should also shift to fields such as technology.
“There is need for us to be techno-savvy in this world that we are living,” he said.
“Technology is one area that is not being fully utilised in Africa, and we should change our thinking as a continent if we want to develop.
“Countries such as Singapore have developed because they used their brains, we need to change our mindset as Africans and be able to come up with ideas that can change the continent.”
Businesswoman and entrepreneur Ms Rudo Boka said women should stand their ground and persevere in the face of challenges.
The event was attended by female entrepreneurs in farming, media, clothing and food.