KEY POINTS
- Zimbabwe’s top businesswomen are redefining leadership and success.
- These women come from diverse industries, driving change across sectors.
- Their achievements are empowering young entrepreneurs in Zimbabwe and beyond.
Zimbabwe, a nation rich in culture and history, is also home to some of the most inspiring businesswomen in Africa. These women have carved out their space in male-dominated industries, proving that determination, vision, and leadership can break barriers. From technology to real estate and tourism, these five women are setting the pace for the next generation of entrepreneurs. Here are the inspiring profiles of five trailblazers shaping the Zimbabwe business scene.
1. Divine Ndhlukula: The queen of security
Divine Ndhlukula is a pioneer, often regarded as a trailblazer in Zimbabwe’s business world. She ventured into founding Securico—one of the largest ever and most profitable security companies—in Zimbabwe at a time when security services were strongly dominated by men. From only four employees, Ndhlukula has grown the company to have over 4000 employees. Her approach to security isn’t just about protection; it’s about empowering women. This is being testified to, with most gender groups of Securico employees being female, many of whom were trained from scratch at the company.
It was not an easy ride to the top for her. From childhood, Ndhlukula saw her family living an impoverished life and not being able to afford basic needs. However, this hardship shaped her resilience. She believed that if she could work hard and think differently, she could change her circumstances. Today she is recognized not only for creating a successful enterprise but also for improving the lives of the people she encountered.
Her story sends a clear message that leadership in its essence isn’t about following the existing templates; it is about building new paradigms.
2. Karen Mutasa: Transforming the beauty and wellness sector
Karen Mutasa is a renowned Zimbabwean business lady, who doubles up as both a social activist as well as an angel investor. She holds the position of the founder of The Skin Spa Group and has immense contributions to the wellness and beauty sector. The Skin Spa is a recipient of many awards and has won the World Luxury Spa Award for four years consecutively.
Apart from the beauty business, Karen is also involved in other businesses such as hospitality and luxury cosmetics. She acts as a director at Cresta Hospitality, one of Zimbabwe’s leading hotel chains.
Beyond her triumph in the wellness industry, Karen also acknowledges her dedication to community development and philanthropy, which led to the establishment of the organisation, Solidarity Trust Zimbabwe.
Aside from being an entrepreneur, Karen is passionate about empowering young people and women in business.
3. Tsitsi Masiyiwa: Spearheading social enterprises
While many people know Tsitsi Masiyiwa as the wife of the billionaire Strive Masiyiwa, her efforts in social entrepreneurship are well acknowledged. In her capacity as the co-founder of the Higher Life Foundation, Tsitsi has devoted her existence to reforming education and healthcare in Africa. As a result of her foundation, many children have been impacted and given scholarships that have turned their lives around.
Such work as a philanthropist was expressed with a clear perception of the importance of the act of giving back. Tsitsi is a strong advocate that financial success and societal benefits can go hand in hand. For this reason, she believes in creating a future where everyone has a chance to thrive. Her influence has inspired many young women to pursue careers in entrepreneurship.
Tsitsi Masiyiwa’s success in leading these establishments is not in profits or erected structures, but in the number of lives she has impacted positively.
4. Chipo Mtasa: Tech pioneer in Zimbabwe
Chipo Mtasa is a shining star in a sector that is conventionally male-dominated. Mtasa is the managing director of TelOne, one of Zimbabwe’s leading telecommunications providers of an advanced nature. Having been appointed to head TelOne, she has steered the company in a direction that ensures it remains relevant in a world that is rapidly evolving into an era of digital communication.
This has largely been due to the leadership provided by Mtasa, who has also been instrumental in ensuring that the digital divide in the country is eradicated, especially in the rural areas. Following her leadership, millions of Zimbabweans under TelOne’s broadband internet connection enjoy improved connectivity to the global economy. She is further evidence that women can excel in leadership roles in the tech community as they can in any industry.
5. Zodwa Mkandla: Shaping tourism in Zimbabwe and beyond
Zodwa Mkandla is one of the most recognizable personalities in the sphere of business in Zimbabwe. She is the founder of Traverze Travel and has created a breathtaking change in the travelling field. Traverze Travel is a company specializing in booking fantastic holidays to providing business travel services for organizations globally.
Indeed, the journey to stardom for Zodwa was not an easy one. She started her company from scratch with little knowledge of how to run a business in Zimbabwe’s unpredictable economic environment. What stands out about Zodwa is her resourcefulness and her magical way of transforming barriers into opportunities.
Zodwa’s achievements include being awarded the Zimbabwe Business Woman of the Year title. However, the most significant accomplishment remains her reconfiguration of the contexts for women in business. She is an example of a woman who believes regardless of your status, you can achieve your goals.
These women are a demonstration that success can be achieved, as they progress in shaping Zimbabwe’s future. They are a source of inspiration for young entrepreneurs and women across Africa.
