UK-based Zimbabwean starts empowerment NGO

FORMER United Nations Secretary-General Ghana's Koffi Annan once said, "There is no tool more effective for development than the empowerment of women."

Inspired by such empowering remarks a Zimbabwe-born, United Kingdom-based woman has since founded an organisation, which she anticipates will alleviate poverty in Africa, starting with Zimbabwe.

Lindani Moyo founded the organisation called Black African Women Rock, which has become a force to reckon with in UK and is set to be headquartered in Bulawayo.

In an interview with Sunday Leisure recently she said she wanted to work towards empowering the girl-child by promoting and introducing self-sustainable projects.

"A wise woman once said, 'a woman is the full circle'. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform. It's easy to give in to feelings of self-doubt and back down from challenges. But that's certainly not what being a strong woman is all about," she said.

Lindani founded the organisation in 2013, after realising she had the potential to empower, motivate and inspire women to pursue their dreams. "BAWR exists as a platform to uplift women of colour. It gives them the podium to stand together, side by side, strengthen each other and say 'Yes we can'.

'Together we stand. It is a platform where these women are able to rise and uplift each other to grow and share ideas. It provides an environment where women are able to share ideas, learn from each other and make a meaningful difference in their lives," she told Sunday Leisure in an interview.

The aim of the organisation is to reach out to women on a global scale.

"Women who, for various reasons have lost hope, whose life experiences and challenges have left them with doubts and lack confidence in their abilities are free to join this organisation.

"The organisation seeks to affirm women who have reached their lowest point and think they cannot make it in life, women whose circumstances have made them feel worthless and dejected," she said. Lindani said she envisioned that her organisation, after being legally licensed in Zimbabwe would open and run centres for women skills training and workshops.

She noted that the organisation would be launched in Zimbabwe sometime next year.

"We have done all our research, as in accordance with our plans," she said.

Lindani said BAWR, since inception held two events, where women from all walks of life converged to network and celebrate the achievements of the organisation.

"We have a networking event and an awards ceremony that celebrates women within our community that have done well. From a distance BAWR may sound not only racial, but politically incorrect and highly exclusionary.

"This is, however, not the cause or the intention. It is not a racial statement by any means, but rather a statement of affirmation and recognition for an organisation that seeks to nurture and embrace culture, roots and origin of a particular group of people saying 'yes we can' regardless of where we come from or where we are," she added.

Lindani was born and raised in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, she moved to the United Kingdom in 1999.

She acquired a counselling diploma in UK, where she is presently based.

She is presently studying for a business course, as her interests have drawn her to business and inspiring the youth and women.

"I run Ladylievents that specialises in events planning, deco for business seminars and weddings. I went to Townsend High School, before studying for my diploma with the Open University in United Kingdom. My interests in running an organisation of my own started after I had my children and felt the need to develop and pursue my dreams of being a leader and changing people's lives in a positive way," said Lindani.