Online ReporterMbulelo Mpofu
BULAWAYO-BASED entrepreneur Ms Samantha Banda has proven that her decision to branch out into real estate was a wise one, after winning her two prestigious debut real estate awards in the industry.
Popularly known as the owner of Crown Events, a renowned events management company, Ms Banda has cemented her position as a go-to real estate manager and property developer.
Last Friday, Ms Banda was awarded the Entrepreneur Network of Zimbabwe Women’s “Outstanding Achievement Award in Real Estate” at the Zimbabwe International Conference and Exhibition Smart City (ZICES) in Bulawayo.
The following day, she received the Zimbabwe Women in Real Estate and Construction Awards’ “Most Outstanding Brand in Property Management Leadership” at Golden Conifer in Harare.
Ms Banda expressed her gratitude for the awards, highlighting her versatility as a brand.
“I’m overly excited and grateful for these awards as they show my versatility as a brand,” she said. “They are my first in the real estate business. A lot of people know me from the events management space, but as a person who is not content with just being a one-trick pony, I branch to other facets of entrepreneurship as well,” she said.
Since 2022, Ms Banda’s real estate portfolio has grown significantly, from managing two bed and breakfasts (BnBs) to five.
Her entrepreneurial acumen has earned her numerous accolades in the past, including the Megafest Business Awards’ “Customer Focus Award of the Year” (2022) and the Female Founders Initiative Middle East and Africa 50 under 50 award for her contributions to the events management space.
As a multi-faceted woman with a law degree from Oxford Brookes University in the UK and currently pursuing a Property Development Post-Graduate degree with the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Ms Banda is well-equipped to navigate the real estate industry.
She is also a visionboard enthusiast who teaches this new phenomenon in the precinct through diverse masterclasses.
Ms Banda’s success story is an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs, demonstrating the rewards of taking calculated risks and pursuing one’s passions.
With her sights set on expanding her portfolio, Ms Banda is poised for continued growth and success in the real estate industry.
With a plethora of accolades and recognition, including a Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development affiliation graduation from micro to small enterprise certificate in 2023, Ms Banda has positioned herself for entrepreneurial elevation.
Her ability to adapt and disrupt has earned her recognition as a true shape-shifter in the business world. – Follow on X @MbuleloMpofu
