Online Reporter
Martha Nyabadza
EmpretecZimbabwe
ZIMBABWE mourns the passing of a true daughter of the soil, Ms Sibusisiwe Precious Bango (December 8, 1959 – September 7, 2025), a distinguished leader whose life and work left an indelible mark on our nation and far beyond its borders. Affectionately known as Busi Bango, she was a woman whose life’s work touched thousands and left an indelible mark on our nation and beyond. A towering figure in the spheres of entrepreneurship, leadership and women’s empowerment, she leaves behind a legacy that is both vast and deeply personal, spanning boardrooms, grassroots communities and international platforms where her voice carried the hopes of a nation.
Early Life and Education
Born in Bulawayo in 1959, Ms Bango was raised with values of hard work, service and resilience. She pursued higher education with distinction, completing a Bachelor of Business Studies (Honours) and later a Master of Business Administration at the University of Zimbabwe. These academic foundations prepared her for a career dedicated to finance, business, and development.
Early Career
She worked in Bulawayo City Council’s treasury department. That experience gave her exposure to municipal financial systems, policies, by-laws.
Vision
Ms Bango was shaped by the values of resilience, service and excellence. From her earliest years, she displayed a determination to rise beyond limitations, carving out a path as a leader, mentor and institution builder. Her vision was clear: to contribute meaningfully to Zimbabwe’s development by creating opportunities for others, particularly women and youth.
Building enterprises, transforming lives
Ms. Bango became synonymous with Empretec Zimbabwe, where she served as chief executive officer for many years. Under her leadership and stewardship, the organisation grew into a respected hub for entrepreneurship development, equipping thousands of Zimbabweans with practical tools to run sustainable businesses. Tens of thousands of Zimbabweans — from rural farmers to urban innovators — benefitted from Empretec’s programmes, learning to start, grow, and sustain businesses even in challenging environments.
She was a firm believer that entrepreneurship was not a privilege but a right — an avenue through which individuals could unlock their potential, create jobs, and build communities. She worked tirelessly to ensure that Empretec training and impact reached entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds, from rural farmers to urban start-ups, nurturing resilience even in the most challenging economic environments.
She believed that entrepreneurship was the heartbeat of national growth. Her leadership gave rise to a new generation of resilient, confident, and innovative Zimbabwean entrepreneurs.
A global voice for Zimbabwe, national pride
Ms. Bango’s leadership was not confined to Zimbabwe. She worked with the World Bank, UNCTAD, UNDP, ILO and UN Women, and contributed to the establishment of entrepreneurship and business development centres in countries such as Namibia, Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia. Her insights shaped global discourse on enterprise development and inclusive growth, always spotlighting Zimbabwe as a nation of resilience and innovation. She carried the nation’s flag with pride on global stages, participating in high-level dialogues on entrepreneurship, inclusive growth, and women’s empowerment. International agencies, governments, and development partners often turned to her for her sharp insights, grounded in real experience and a deep understanding of Africa’s development context.
She was equally comfortable mentoring a group of young entrepreneurs in Harare as she was addressing international conferences in Europe, the United States, or Africa. Her voice was always one of conviction and clarity, reminding the world that Zimbabwe was home to talent, innovation, and resilience.
Mentorship and leadership
Beyond titles and institutions, Ms. Bango’s greatest achievement was the lives she touched. She was a mentor, a guide, and a role model to countless men and women who credit her with opening doors of opportunity. She mentored countless entrepreneurs, executives, and young leaders, offering wisdom, encouragement, and honest counsel. Her leadership style was rooted in integrity, courage, and humility. Many recall her generosity with time, her ability to listen, and her firm but encouraging counsel.
Leadership in Women’s Empowerment:
As Proweb President and Deputy President, she was involved in forums for women business executives supporting economic empowerment of women
Her leadership style was marked by integrity, courage, and service. She believed leadership was not about positions but about impact. She often said that true legacy is measured in people uplifted, not accolades received.
Honours and recognition
Over the years, Ms Bango served on numerous boards and advisory committees, lending her expertise to both private and public institutions. She received recognition at home and abroad for her contributions to entrepreneurship development and women’s empowerment. Yet, she remained grounded, always focused more on the work at hand than on the honours attached to it.
Board service and Leadership roles
Her expertise was widely recognised, leading to numerous board and trustee appointments across corporate, financial, and civic institutions:
Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe (IDBZ) — board member Dairibord Holdings Ltd — non-executive director
Meikles Limited — director
Kingdom Financial Holdings Ltd — director.
National Investment Trust (Zimbabwe) — director.
National Pharmaceutical Company (NatPharm) — board member.
GB Holdings (General Beltings Ltd) — deputy chairperson.
Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust — trustee.
Disabled Women Support Organisation – Trustee.
PROWEB(Professional Women Executives & Businesswomen’s Forum) — president
& deputy president/leadership role.
These roles reflected the trust and respect she commanded across sectors.
