Ashley Moyo, Staff writer
A REMARKABLE night unfolded under the shimmering lights of the Midlands at The Village Hotel Lodge ballroom as Gweru played host to the prestigious Zimbabwe Women in Business Forum and Awards (ZWBFA) – Midlands Edition in a grand celebration themed “Glitz and Glamour”.
The red carpet event, the first of its kind in the province, also marked the ignition of a movement, according to ZWBFA chairman, Kudzai Mukuku.
“This was the fulfilment of a long held wish to bring together the best of women in business in the Midlands and celebrate their achievements while also creating a platform for the exchange of knowledge and ideas. “I believe this is the start of something big, a powerful movement that will promote excellence among female entrepreneurs in the Midlands and beyond,” he said.
On her part, ZWBFA chief executive and co-founder Shama Mandireva-Nyamadzavo, highlighted the importance of empowering women and bringing them together.
“We are delighted that we managed to get women from all walks of life—agriculture, fashion, tech, finance, media and beyond — together in one place with a good number of them being honoured for their resilience, leadership and impact. Stories were shared, from women who started businesses in their rural communities with nothing but an idea, to those who had scaled their enterprises to global markets,” said Mandireva-Nyamadzavo.
Diamond Chicken Gweru founder and chief executive, Davina Berman, won the diverse entrepreneur champion award and dedicated the honour to her fellow women, challenging them to pursue their dreams.
Other notably winners were, the village lodge managing director Naomi Sizer, Fungai Marufu – distinguished legal practitioner, events and entertainment entrepreneur Natalee Natsai Kadenhe, outstanding fashion entrepreneur Beatrice Manyani, outstanding youth philanthropist Lshanda Moyas, outstanding leisure and entertainment entrepreneur Ropafadzo Tariro Fundira, outstanding supply in the mining sector Amanda Nyasha Chakanatsa among others.
The Midlands edition of the Zimbabwe Women in Business Forum Awards come hot on the heels of the national awards ceremony which was hosted at the Hyatt Regency hotel in the capital last June as women continue to make their presence felt on the local business landscape.