Zimbabwe: Katazeni Mafuka

My name is Katazeni Mafuka. Men and women should be treated equally. No one is superior to the other and no one should be taken advantage of because of their gender. I was taught not look down upon myself by Gender Links (GL). I joined GL in August 2013. I only managed to attend phase one of the training. The other two phases I could not attend as I had relocated to my rural areas and it was costly for me to attend. GL taught me that I can do what any other person can do and I cannot be restricted because of my gender.

I used to sale vegetables along the Harare Bulawayo highway. I was struggling to support the family from this business. After attending the first course, I started saving money with the aim of starting something big. From the little I had saved I started buying and selling second hand clothes. I would buy the clothes from Harare and sale them in Chegutu. I learnt that it is important to keep records of my business and to carry out market research. I started practicing the concepts in my business. The challenge I was having is that my husband always wanted to know where I will be even when doing my business. I stopped the business after it was no longer viable; the market was flooded with cheap clothes. My funds were tied in stock and so I went out of business till to date. At the moment I am doing nothing because I have no capital.

I managed to get custody of my two children from my first marriage after being assisted by Justice for Children. I am struggling to support my family. The family of my former husband still insults me on the phone. They still want to have custody of our children. I have not helped change the way the society treats me especially after my business failed. They still see me as a failure.

I am looking for capital to restart my business of buying and selling clothes. I will apply all the concepts as taught by Gender Links. By the year 2030 I will be a business person with clothing shops. I thank Gender Links for their efforts. The organisation inspired me to change my situation. I wish they will keep assisting us and others who are in desperate situations. I wish if they can also assist by giving us capital to start projects.