New empowerment group seeks to turn policy into opportunities

Herald Reporter

A NEW economic empowerment organisation, Hupfumi Hwedu Indigenous Resources Association (HHIRA), has praised President Mnangagwa for laying the policy foundation for indigenous economic empowerment, pledging to mobilise citizens to seize available opportunities and turn them into businesses, jobs, and wealth.

The association seeks to connect citizens with economic opportunities through partnerships, enterprise development, and participation in sectors reserved for indigenous citizens.

Its mandate is informed by Section 14 of the Constitution, the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act, Statutory Instrument 215 of 2025, Government policy reserving small- and medium-scale mining for Zimbabweans, Vision 2030, and the National Development Strategy 2 (2026–2030).

HHIRA founder and chairman Mr Nyasha Munangwa commended the ruling Zanu PF and Government for establishing the policy framework for economic empowerment.

“Under the leadership of President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa, important policy instruments have been put in place to advance indigenous economic participation,” he said.

“We are not here simply to call for more policies; we are here to help turn existing opportunities into tangible results. “As the President says, ‘Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo’ — and Zimbabweans must be empowered to build and own productive enterprises in their own country,” he said.

Founder and secretary-general Mr Johannes Mtetwa said the association would help address barriers preventing citizens from accessing available opportunities.

“The true measure of empowerment is not the number of policies on our books, but the number of Zimbabweans running viable businesses, creating jobs and building assets for their families. “Too many people know that opportunities exist, but lack the connections, resources or partnerships to access them. HHIRA exists to help close that gap,” he said.

The association plans to mobilise entrepreneurs, cooperatives, women, young people, and war veterans around commercially viable projects in reserved sectors, public procurement, and natural-resource industries.

It also seeks to connect indigenous businesses and communities with investors, financial institutions, and technical partners. Its priorities include community economic empowerment, rural industrialisation, and local procurement.

In mining, HHIRA is advocating a stronger legislative framework for indigenous participation in small- and medium-scale operations, while its youth initiatives will cover entrepreneurship and drug and substance abuse awareness.

On September 10, the association’s executive board met officials from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, who committed to working with HHIRA on implementing the economic empowerment framework.

HHIRA has also welcomed the theme of the 23rd ZANU PF National People’s Conference which is underway in Chinhoyi: “From resolutions to results: Consolidating economic development and deepening economic empowerment towards Vision 2030”.

Source: New empowerment group seeks to turn policy into opportunities – herald

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