Conference to equip women

Sikhulekelani Moyo, [email protected]

THE inaugural Esteemed Businesswomen Zimbabwe Conference edition set for Bulawayo in April, is expected to equip women with vital entrepreneurial skills and create an interactive network platform for women to professionally expand their various ventures.

The conference, organised by a local businesswoman, Ms Sipho Mazibuko is expected to be attended by the Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, Bulawayo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Judith Ncube, Deputy Minister of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture Emily Jesaya and South African businesswoman and actress, Sophie Ndaba among others.

Representatives from financial institutions, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) and Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Praz) are also expected to share their insights with women entrepreneurs.

In an interview with Business Chronicle last Friday, Ms Mazibuko said Esteemed Businesswomen Zimbabwe conference is an offshoot of Esteemed Bulawayo Businesswomen High Tea she held in February last year.

Ms Mazibuko said after the High Tea even, there were numerous inquiries from women locally and from other countries.
The network now has more than 3 000 people, she said.

“I didn’t even expect the group to grow the way it did because now it is all over Zimbabwe and it has crossed borders.

“We now have Esteemed Botswana, Esteemed South Africa and Esteemed Diaspora covering Australia, UK and Ireland,” said Ms Mazibuko.

She said they appreciated how she was imparting knowledge of her 25 years in business to other women.

Ms Mazibuko said she realised that most women SMEs lack vital knowledge in areas of company registration, tax clearance and accessing Government loans whole others lack entrepreneurial skills.

“We also help women to write business proposals and also offer business consultancy services at affordable rates,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ms Mazibuko has partnered with Zimpapers publications in Bulawayo for the conference. – @SikhulekeleaniM1.