Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Organisation

23/10/2026

Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council shines at the leadership awards ceremony and the following remarks were made: "It is with great pride that we congratulate you on being selected as
a Southern Region Award Winner under the category PUBLIC SECTOR
LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE. Your exemplary leadership and dedication to
operational and service excellence have distinguished you as a
regional beacon within your industry. Your impeccable service that
you administer has been noted and has placed you at the top with
fellow esteemed professional gladiators in their respective domains.

Zimbabwe CEO's Network is synonymous with professional excellence,
as we move onwards and upwards in 2026. We look forward to hosting
you and celebrating your achievements. Birds of the same feathers
flock together; with pride and honour, Zimbabwe CEO's Network is
proud to acknowledge and celebrate fellow exemplary professional
luminaries such as yourself. Congratulations on a well-deserved accolade". Congratulations to the ZNFPC CEO and all leadership. Well done, Amhlophe Million Memory Project Zimbabwe - MMPZ Bulawayo My City Bulawayo Junior City Council Umnikazi Wempuphu Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Dev. Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Organisation

22/10/2026

From discarded waste to robust plastic pavers: The diligent work of the EnviroCare enterprise.

EnviroCare, a youth-led green enterprise, is turning plastic waste into valuable products while creating practical, local solutions to waste management.

The enterprise buys discarded plastic waste from the surrounding community, then separates, washes and dries the plastic before crushing it into usable material. Through support from the Integrated Market Aggregation Linking Markets and Innovation (IMALI) project, EnviroCare acquired a plastic crushing machine, strengthening its capacity to process larger volumes of plastic waste.

Beyond processing and selling crushed plastic, EnviroCare also carries out plastic extrusion, transforming recycled plastic into robust, heavy-duty pavers suitable for construction and other applications.

What makes EnviroCare particularly notable is its makeup: the enterprise is run entirely by young people, the majority of whom are young women focused on building practical, local waste solutions.

The team is also testing and developing additional recycled plastic products as it works to expand its product line and production capacity in Cowdray Park.

Do you have plastic waste to sell? EnviroCare buys plastic waste, including HD and PP plastics. If you have plastic waste that you would like to sell, contact EnviroCare on +263 773 480 001.

For potential buyers, construction contractors, impact investors, or anyone interested in supporting and scaling localized recycling solutions, contact BVTO to learn more about EnviroCare and its work.

21/10/2026

21/10/2026

🌱 Turning innovation into opportunity in Isiziba Youth Center.

Yesterday, the launch of the Isiziba Youth Centre and Investment Forum in Njube, got off to a strong start, bringing together community members, stakeholders and the Mayor of Bulawayo, His Worship Councillor David Coltart.

More than just a youth centre, Isiziba is an innovation and enterprise hub designed to create practical opportunities for young people and the wider community.

The centre brings together a computer lab, business incubation facilities, a greenhouse demonstration bay, a climate smart garden and a green hut featuring solar-powered hydroponic units — showcasing how technology, innovation and sustainable practices can be applied at community level. 🌱

Addressing the gathering, Mayor Coltart encouraged other councillors to replicate the Isiziba model in their own wards, highlighting that financial limitations should not prevent communities from pursuing innovative solutions.

His message was clear: creativity and innovation can help communities achieve more with the resources they have.

Isiziba is a practical example of what is possible when communities, local leadership and partners come together to create spaces that turn ideas into opportunities.

21/10/2026

15/10/2026

When you operate a market stall, a daily trade-off shapes every decision: if you aren’t behind your table, you aren’t earning. It is this reality that makes routine health checks feel like an unaffordable luxury for many women in Zimbabwe’s informal economy.

Without medical aid, paid leave, or social security, taking a whole day to visit a clinic, leaving your wares or paying for transport, isn't easy. That’s often why cancers are diagnosed late.

Of the 25,125 new cancer cases Zimbabwe recorded in 2024, 15,132 were women, with breast cancer being the second most diagnosed cancer among women in the country. Because early detection is everything, we need to bring screening into our everyday routine.

While professional clinical exams are essential, the first and most accessible line of defense is one you can do yourself, for free, without leaving home:

1. Monthly Self-Examinations: Try to inspect your breasts at the same time every month. Feel for unusual lumps, thickening, or changes in the skin or ni***es.

2. Watch for Changes: Look for visible swelling, dimpling, or any change in shape or size in front of a mirror.

3. Take Action Early: If you find anything unusual, don't wait for pain to develop (many early-stage cancers do not hurt). Plan a visit to your nearest local clinic or hospital, like Mpilo or UBH in Bulawayo, or reach out to organizations like the Cancer Association of Zimbabwe for guidance.

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, let’s remember that our health is our greatest asset. Looking out for ourselves means we can continue to support our families and our markets. Talk to the woman at the next stall today, let's check in on one another.

08/10/2026

The wait is almost over!

05/10/2026

🌱 TURNING GRASS INTO OPPORTUNITY

What can women build from something as simple as grass?

For this women-led cooperative in the surrounding areas of Bulawayo, grass cutting, bundling and selling — including thatching grass — has become a source of income and an opportunity to improve their livelihoods. 💪🏾🌱

But it is not only about grass. It is about DIVERSIFYING opportunities and building from what is available.

Through their earnings, the women have been able to:

🏥 Access medical attention and meet some of their healthcare needs
🏠 Purchase household utensils and support their families
🤝 Pay BVTO membership contributions
💰 Contribute to the BVTO Women’s Council Revolving Fund initiative

And they are not stopping there! 🚀

The cooperative is exploring ways to diversify their products and income streams, add value to their thatching grass, reach new markets and increase returns from their labour.

Their story demonstrates the power of diversity, collective action and innovation — different ideas, different opportunities and different ways of turning locally available resources into income.

🌱 DIVERSIFY. INNOVATE. INITIATE. ACTION!

From grass to income.
From income to improved livelihoods.
From ideas to action.
From one opportunity to many possibilities. 💪🏾🌱

Let us support women who are creating economic opportunities from what is available around them.

📩 Contact them on this number: +263717774637

28/09/2026

🌱 FROM A COMMUNITY IDEA TO A GROWING LOCAL ENTERPRISE

In 2019, Edith Ndebele had a simple vision: to build a business that could create sustainable livelihoods while responding to a need in her community. That vision became Tebutebu Enterprises. 🥜

What started with an observation—that people needed a reliable supply of healthy, good-quality peanut butter—grew into a registered business in 2022.

Today, Tebutebu Enterprises proudly produces smooth, rich peanut butter and peanut snacks, right here in the community. 🇿🇼

Behind every jar is a dedicated team of young people involved in production and sales. It’s a powerful local cycle:

🤝 The community supports a local business.
💼 The business creates opportunities for local youth.
🌱 Local enterprise strengthens local livelihoods.

Every purchase is more than buying peanut butter—it is supporting entrepreneurship, creating opportunities and contributing to a stronger local economy.

🥜 Looking for smooth, delicious, locally produced peanut butter?

📲 Place your order on WhatsApp:
+263 782 439 744

19/09/2026

Good food has truly met good people!!!

It's been quite a whirlwind here at the 2026 in , with the from the 4 cities it works in in ( , , and ) participating.

Aimed at showcasing indigenous food and seeds from different cities, the festival brought together experts, learners and the general public to learn, exchange cuisines, ideas, food concepts and favorites from around the .

Youth from the 4 cities therefore explored various food systems and value addition concepts, showcasing and selling different value added products that have proven a hit to the public. These include dried and processed indigenous foods as well as some that infuse both indigenous and modern food systems. The innovative space has also allowed them to learn and explore as youth, taking lessons and innovation back to their different cities.

Many thanks to our all weather supporters, Embassy of the Netherlands in Zimbabwe and Hivos Regional Office Southern Africa, who are a great part of this journey. See a testimony from project lead, attesting to the amazing work being done by the young people.