1)           How did Girl Grandeur Zimbabwe originate?
Girl Grandeur Zimbabwe was founded by Thembelihle Zulu and Buhlebenkosi Mhlanga and is registered under the Zimbabwe Youth Council. The main aim to the social club was to fill the void that there wasn’t a social club for women. Where women can come together and share ideas in a social atmosphere. The club invests in the grandness (grandeur) of the girl and fosters healthy competition amongst women for the improvement of the environment they are in.

2)          Tell us about the purpose of the club?
The purpose of the club is to create a support network amongst women.

To bring together women of all trades and walks of life to expose each other to various opportunities. We also bridge the generational gap between mothers and daughters through mentorship. We advise young girls about issues that they are facing that they feel like they can’t communicate with their mothers almost like a Big Sister Programme. The mentorship programme also helps on the entrepreneural front as veterans get to train and advise the newbies in business. We also have awareness programs where we hold workshops to educate members on various issues. We try and partake in as much charity work as possible to help those in need.

3)          How could one get involved?
All women are welcome to join. The more the merrier! Meetings are held once a month and activities are done on the third Saturday of every month. Subscription fees are $6 annually which come with a club shirt.

4)          How many girls do you currently have?
We have a Bulawayo and a Harare chapter and between the two we have a membership base of approximately 300 women. We also have Girl Grandeur Junior members which are teenagers that are still in high school.

5)          Do you have any projects coming up
Girl Grandeur Zimbabwe (Bulawayo Chapter) made a commitment to support the less privileged at Thuthuka Children’s home in Trenace Bulawayo.

This year the organization seeks to sustainably fulfil this mandate in collaboration with Youths for Innovation Trust (YIT). The disadvantaged children at Thuthuka’s major needs currently are clothes, undergarments and sanitary wear. GGZ Byo and YIT (@YouthsForInnov) aim to provide these immediate needs along with career guidance and skills training this month and beyond.

We are, therefore, appealing to the community of Bulawayo and beyond to render assistance in which ever way possible, cash or kind. Both boys and girls are under the age of 19 if you want to contribute clothes. The little that you have will go a long way in bringing hope to a disadvantaged child.

The members of the Bulawayo community are kindly asked to bring in their donations on or before 14 March 2016 in preparation for the next visit to Thuthuka Children’s Home on the 19th of March 2016.
Everyone is invited to to tag along to Thuthuka.

6)          Tell us about the importance/ benefits  of having such clubs?
Some women were built to be activists and some weren’t. And the women that weren’t built to fight have a platform at Girl Grandeur to do charity work. And there’s no shame in not being a fighter, even in Zimbabwe it wasn’t everybody that went to the war but that doesn’t mean that you can’t contribute in some other way. Charity work is not only self-fulfilling but it gives people purpose. It can also open up doors in your career. Most scholarships and international fellowships require you to have done some voluntary work and did something for the community and clubs such as Girl Grandeur give you that opportunity to partake in something that benefits many people.

7)          How could Bulawayo get involved?
We would like to partner with various companies in Bulawayo to help them fulfill their corporate responsibility. We have the energy, creative ideas and manpower to make a difference in Bulawayo. And partnering will compliment what we lack in financial resources.

8)       What is the vision for the future of Girl Grandeur Zimbabwe?
Girl Grandeur Zimbabwe is a social entrepreneurial initiative. We aspire to formulate income generating activities that help us to provide more substantial assistance that isn’t reliant on donors and sponsors. We are looking into waste management as an option for generating income. The club has ample room to expand and transform due to its innovative and diverse members.

9) How can we contact Girl Grandeur Zimbabwe?
Facebook : Girl Grandeur Zimbabwe
Twitter & Instagram: @GirlGrandeurZw
Email: girlgrandeurzw@gmail.com
Whatsapp: +263 772 749 441 (Lorraine – Byo Chairperson)