A non-governmental organisation Help from Germany on Wednesday donated US$125 000 worth of equipment to 250 entrepreneurs based in Norton. The equipment comprised of hairdryers, water tanks, stockfeeds, car washing machines, generators, gas stoves, farming equipment, welding machines, fencing wire among others.

The equipment is supposed to help the entrepreneurs to set up businesses in the town.

The entrepreneurs are expected to plough back 15 percent of their total produce into the community.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Help from Germany managing director Ms Karin Settle said her organisation was committed to assisting Zimbabweans to establish their businesses.

"My organisation has been operating in Zimbabwe for the past 20 years and we have learnt and seen that Zimbabweans are hardworking and ambitious but they lack resources so we are happy to help through this donation and working with the Ministry Small to Medium Enterprises and Co-operative Development," she said.

Small to Medium Enterprises and Co-operative Development Minister Mrs Sithembiso Nyoni urged the entrepreneurs to make use of the opportunity and the support they have been given by Help from Germany.

"I challenged all the recipients to work hard for the success of their projects," she said.

She also urged them to put into practice the knowledge they have acquired from their business management training.

The event was held under the theme "Building sustainable livelihoods through micro enterprise development".