Zimbabwe Women Business Indaba on Cards

Zimbabwe Vice-President Mujuru blasts retrogressive political parties that are stalling progress at Chisumbanje Ethanol Plant while officially closing the third biennial Zimbabwe Local Government Conference in Mutare on May 11, 2013., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Women business indaba on cards

October 21, 2013
Business Reporter
Zimbabwe Herald

The Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the Women Alliance of Business Associations in Zimbabwe will next month hold the inaugural Women in Business Conference.

The conference is meant to assess the role and celebrate the success of women entrepreneurs in the economic development of Zimbabwe.

The event, which will be held on November 1, will run under the theme “The roadmap to Zimbabwe’s desired future: Assessing and recognising women contribution to the economy” and will be officially opened by Vice President Joice Mujuru.

The one-day conference, which will culminate in an awards gala dinner, has been structured to include woman-to-woman coaching sessions to benefit the young and upcoming women entrepreneurs who will have an opportunity for mentorship on a one-on-one basis with the women who have made it.

It will also have a panel discussion which will include Lafarge, Mimosa, Zimplats, Unilever and other companies that have set good benchmarks and can share their best practice in what they are doing in promoting women entrepreneurship.

Speakers and panellists that are expected to address the conference include acclaimed South African businesswoman and champion of women economic empowerment Gloria Serobe, the founding chief executive of Wiphold Capital, local luminaries like Lynn Mukonoweshuro, Chipo Mtasa, Elizabeth Magaya, Professor Primrose Kurasha, Professor Hope Sadza, Victoria Ruzvidzo, Emma Fundira who are billed to tackle discussions with Government policymakers like Abigail Shoniwa and other senior women policymakers.

ZNCC vice president Mrs Divine Ndhlukula, who is also chairperson for the Women’s Desk, said they wanted to help grow women-owned businesses in the country.

“Almost every woman has started some form of business, but the greatest challenge is scaling up for most, hence the goal of the conference is to provide a distinct opportunity for women in enterprise, corporates, academia, public policy and key actors in civil society organisations to interact, collaborate and share ideas to promote the cause of women’s entrepreneurship in Zimbabwe,” she said.

Meanwhile, the awards gala dinner women is aimed at honouring women who have made significant contributions in economic enterprise, women’s empowerment and development within their communities.

The awards are targeted at women from across the whole spectrum of the economy including those in arts and culture.