In the Spotlight: Some inspiring women entrepreneurs from Zimbabwe
#ZimbabweWomenRising #SheLeadsZim #EnterprisingWomenZW #BreakingBarriersZW #EmpowerHerAfrica #ResilientWomenEntrepreneurs
In the heart of Southern Africa, Zimbabwe – often hailed as “The Jewel of Africa” is witnessing a quiet, powerful transformation.
At what is at the center of this change? A dynamic wave of women entrepreneurs, who are challenging the status quo and re-defining success on their own terms. From roadside stalls and market gardens to innovative tourism ventures & cross-border trade, Zimbabwean women are rolling up their sleeves and getting down to business – literally.
Despite facing a tough economic climate, limited access to finance & deeply entrenched patriarchal norms – these women are undeterred. Their resilience is nothing short of inspiring. Many of them have built businesses with little more than grit, local know-how and a fierce determination to support their families and communities.
Shinning Brighter with Women at the Helm
But it’s not just about survival – there’s also real innovation happening. Women are tapping into digital platforms, exploring eco-tourism & also creating value in agriculture through smart, sustainable practices. The challenges are many – think lack of collateral, limited infrastructure & outdated societal expectations. But, so are the opportunities.
With the right support systems in place – from policy reforms and financial inclusion to mentorship and market access – Zimbabwe’s women entrepreneurs have the potential to shape a more inclusive, resilient economy.
Now let us shine a light on the journey of some inspiring women from Zimbabwe: the hurdles they face, the networks they build & the quiet revolutions they’re leading – one bold business move at a time.
- Divine Ndhlukula, Founder & MD, Securico
Divine Ndhlukula is the Founder and Managing Director of Zimbabwe’s first ISO certified Security Company SECURICO. Today, Securico is a leading security services provider that offers a wide range of security products and services – including Guard Service, Cash Management, Electronic Security Systems – Alarm systems, CCTVs and Access Control Systems.
Securico focuses on cash management and electronics for growth, as these areas offer more profitability and less human intervention. Securico’s story is one of tenacity, determination & hard work – creating a professionally run security company that has literally transformed the face of that industry in the country.
- Mutsa Majero, Author Of “Meet Chipo” & Founder of the Zim.Babe.Iwe!
Mutsa Majero is a US-based Zimbabwean author of children’s book “Meet Chipo” and Founder of the Zim.Babe.Iwe! brand.
She has been living in the US for the past 14 years, and is the author of “Meet Chipo”, a children’s book. Mutsa is a licenced Mental Health Therapist and holds a Masters in Counselling Psychology. She is also the brains behind Zim.Babe.Iwe! – an online platform for empowering women and girls, plus promoting literacy.
Mutsa has a passion for working with children and as a Mental Health Therapist, she has worked with children and adolescents, building their esteem and resilience to get through difficult times in their lives.
- Joy Makumbe, Founder, Majolic Construction
It was in 2008 that Joy Makumbe founded Majorlic Construction, an international engineering and greentech company operating in Uganda, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.
From an early age, the Founder of Majolic Construction and The Joy Makumbe Trust, both based in Harare, Zimbabwe, was really passionate about turning her ideas into tangible physical reality. Knowing that these realities can help women and girls in to overcome some of the problems they face daily, with regards to water and sanitation actually fills her up with feeling that she has achieved something big.
Majorlic Construction’s current focus is on projects that incorporate water and sanitation infrastructure. An engineer herself and a member of Women in Engineering in Zimbabwe, she is strongly networked within the industry and is also recognised as an industry leader.
- Nyaradzo Mavindidze, The Managing Consultant of Avodah Consultants
Nyaradzo Mavindidze, the Managing Consultant of Avodah Consultants is a Holistic leadership expert, who is passionate about developing the ‘uncommon sense’ in leaders. A psychologist by profession, she assists leaders to draw on their inner and outer natural resources, thus shifting personal paradigms and beliefs leading to transformed organisations.
He is backed by a rich experience from previous roles at Standard Chartered Bank and Viva Network Zimbabwe – with a robust skill set that includes Leadership, Writing, Team Building, Consulting, Public Speaking and more.
Over the years, she has developed herself as a brand to reckon with in dissemination of lasting solutions to performance deficiencies in individuals, leaders & organizations.
As a coach, she creates an environment where people and their dreams, challenges, fears & victories are the main focus.
- Diana Mano, Founder & Creative Designer, Shaina
Diana Mano is the Founder & Creative Designer of Shaina, an African-inspired accessory business based in Johannesburg, South Africa. She is also a Digital Marketer, blogger, and holds a BA in Communication Science. Her brand, Shaina, is known for handmade pieces that blend African fabrics with various textures. She also aims to expand Shaina into interior design and a kids’ clothing line in the future.
Her products are handmade and fuse African fabrics with different textures to create unique handmade pieces. She is a Digital Marketer for a direct marketing company and a blogger too.
- Tsitsi Mutendi, Founder/Editor of Jewel Magazine
Tsitsi Mutendi is the Founder of Jewel magazine, Mucha and Mufaro dolls. She spent eight years of her childhood in the UK before moving back to Zimbabwe.
Jewel started in February 2011 and the background is that she loved reading magazines That’s how she decided to create one of her own that would be an outlet for the different ideas she had – ideas that could inform women about things that could help them empower themselves.
The first issue was published in July. When she thought of a name for the magazine, she couldn’t think of any other name better than – Jewel.
She admits that to her “women are like precious Jewels”.
Mucha was born before the Jewel magazine. She loved African print fabric and loved what West Africans were doing with it – plus, it was so modern and chic. Since she saw that no one in Southern Africa was doing it, she got into the act. Dealing with fabric and garments involved a lot of creativity and most of their clients allowed them to revamp their wardrobes.
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