Dr. Mavis Sibanda, who works for the government in the Women's Affairs, Community, and Small and Medium Enterprises Development department, said Zimbabwe's handicraft industry is ready for big growth in 2025.
Dr. Sibanda spoke at a meeting in Harare. She said it's important for the government and the National Handicraft Development and Marketing Centre to work together. This will help sell Zimbabwean crafts in the country and around the world.
She wants clear plans for 2025, which will guide how the Centre promotes handicrafts. Dr. Sibanda said the Centre does a great job showing the beautiful work of craftspeople from all over Zimbabwe, including young people.
The Centre wants to collect and sell special crafts like the famous Binga basket to people everywhere. Dr. Sibanda said the plans need to fit with the country's big goals, like Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 1.
"This will ensure we meet the needs of crafters, communities, and related areas," she explained. Dr. Sibanda said everyone needs to take part and have good talks. She repeated what President Mnangagwa always says: "Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo." This means the whole nation needs to work on growing together.
The head of the Handicraft Centre's board, Sandra Ndebele, agreed. She said they need to make the industry better to match the President's idea of making Zimbabwe open for business.
"We want to reach Vision 2030 and be a country with a good income by working closely with our government department," she said. Ms. Ndebele told her team to be very involved in making plans.
She used a quote from Helen Keller: "Alone we can do little; together we can do much." She said that together, they would make a better future for the National Handicrafts Centre.
Ms. Ndebele said the center hasn't had a working board since 2017. That means this planning meeting is a very important first step in creating a new vision for the group.
She said, "We have a huge job to do. But I believe our minister put together a great board. The people on it have a lot of experience and knowledge to help change this organization for the better."
Zimbabwe's national handicraft industry is getting set for a big year of change. The industry's leaders are focused on working together and keeping the industry going, which gives hope for the country's economy to grow and its culture to be kept alive.
Dr. Sibanda spoke at a meeting in Harare. She said it's important for the government and the National Handicraft Development and Marketing Centre to work together. This will help sell Zimbabwean crafts in the country and around the world.
She wants clear plans for 2025, which will guide how the Centre promotes handicrafts. Dr. Sibanda said the Centre does a great job showing the beautiful work of craftspeople from all over Zimbabwe, including young people.
The Centre wants to collect and sell special crafts like the famous Binga basket to people everywhere. Dr. Sibanda said the plans need to fit with the country's big goals, like Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 1.
"This will ensure we meet the needs of crafters, communities, and related areas," she explained. Dr. Sibanda said everyone needs to take part and have good talks. She repeated what President Mnangagwa always says: "Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo." This means the whole nation needs to work on growing together.
The head of the Handicraft Centre's board, Sandra Ndebele, agreed. She said they need to make the industry better to match the President's idea of making Zimbabwe open for business.
"We want to reach Vision 2030 and be a country with a good income by working closely with our government department," she said. Ms. Ndebele told her team to be very involved in making plans.
She used a quote from Helen Keller: "Alone we can do little; together we can do much." She said that together, they would make a better future for the National Handicrafts Centre.
Ms. Ndebele said the center hasn't had a working board since 2017. That means this planning meeting is a very important first step in creating a new vision for the group.
She said, "We have a huge job to do. But I believe our minister put together a great board. The people on it have a lot of experience and knowledge to help change this organization for the better."
Zimbabwe's national handicraft industry is getting set for a big year of change. The industry's leaders are focused on working together and keeping the industry going, which gives hope for the country's economy to grow and its culture to be kept alive.
