Back to Index

Hundreds congratulate Hon Khupe on achievement
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)
March 02, 2012

Hundreds of MDC Women's Assembly members today congratulated Vice President Thokozani Khupe who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, for winning the African Achiever's Award and successfully completing her cancer treatment.

Hon Khupe said she was moved by the support from the women who were at Harare International Airport to receive her. She pointed out that the award was an indication of the support and women's commitment to development in Zimbabwe.

"This award is for you all. My conscience is very clear because we have been working very hard for the upliftment of women and this award is evidence to that effect. Women are not going to pay user fees when they go to the clinic. We are advocating for a women's bank and it is going to happen. Our problems are going to be a thing of the past," she said.

Hon Khupe said she had been given more ammunition and strength by the award and will be working very hard to ensure women enjoy the full benefits of their hard work.

"This award is about women empowerment and democracy. It is not acceptable that women should die while giving birth. We want to create a scenario where the women are owners of the means of survival. We want to see fifty percent of women being represented in Parliament," she said.

She said the award was an honour to Zimbabwe's women and recognition of their role in national development.

"Women are the drivers of the economy. We are the ones who work on farms, factories and everywhere but we do not enjoy the benefits. Its about time women invest in something big so that they are drivers of economic activity in the country," she said.

On user fees for pregnant mothers and children under the age of five, Hon Khupe said it was prudent that the process begins to run as the funds have been made available.

"The money is available and the process should have started now. My thoughts were that the process was already taking place because the funds have been secured," she said.

Hon Khupe, who came from a successful cancer treatment process said she will set up the Thoko Khupe foundation which will make sure women have access to information and cancer treatment within our country.

"The reason most people go to South Africa for treatment is because there are no such facilities here in Zimbabwe. I want to set up a foundation to ensure women have access to these facilities because early detection of cancer makes it curable," she said.

Hon Khupe said she initially ignored the symptoms the cancer. When she eventually sought medical attention it was then that she learnt she had breast cancer. She believes that when information is readily available, breast cancer can be avoided.

Hon Khupe received the African Achiever's Award on 22 February 2012 at King's College in London, United Kingdom. She joins the likes of former South African Anglican Archbishop, Desmond Tutu who have previously been honoured with the same award.

Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.

TOP