The Zimbabwe Agricultural Show (ZAS) proved to be more than just a marketplace, it became a hub of learning, innovation, and inspiration. SOS Children’s Villages Zimbabwe brought together program participants to showcase their creativity, resilience, and commitment to building sustainable livelihoods, with one farmer, Vimbai, taking the spotlight.
Vimbai, a smallholder farmer, demonstrated the power of value addition through an impressive range of products that included hupfu weMbambaira (sweet potato flour), paprika, mawuyu drinks, granadilla juice, and hupfu weZviyo (finger millet flour). Visitors were drawn not only to the taste of her products but also to the story behind them and the transformation of local produce into nutritious, market-ready goods.
Reflecting on the experience, Vimbai said:
“Being part of this show was about more than sales. It was about proving that with the right support, farmers can go beyond raw produce and create something unique, nutritious, and marketable. I learned so much from customers and other exhibitors, and I now see the importance of building a brand that people can trust.”
The exhibition also featured program participants from NUMWA, a Community-Based Organisation (CBO), who showcased beautifully tailored dresses and reusable sanitary pads. These products highlighted sustainability, dignity, and empowerment for women and girls, sparking important conversations among visitors.
A NUMWA representative shared:
“Our products were designed with purpose. The reusable pads, for example, addressed a very real challenge in communities while giving women the opportunity to build enterprises. By showcasing here, we were not just selling but also raising awareness about solutions that change lives.”
For all the participants, the show was as much about learning as it was about selling. They engaged in market research by interacting with customers, gathering feedback on packaging, pricing, and product quality. They also visited other stands, observing branding techniques and building rapport with fellow entrepreneurs. This exchange of ideas planted seeds for collaboration and growth.
SOS Children’s Villages Livelihood field officer, Farai emphasized the long-term impact of such opportunities:
“This is just the beginning. What we witnessed was the growth of community-led enterprises that have the potential to expand, create jobs, and strengthen families. By being here, our participants learnt what it takes to compete, adapt, and thrive in real markets. It is a seed that must continue to grow.”
The Zimbabwe Agricultural Show highlighted the potential of grassroots entrepreneurs like Vimbai, who are turning challenges into opportunities. More than a showcase, it became a movement, a growing wave of inspired individuals determined to build sustainable futures, one product at a time.