Online Reporter
Alicia Kadzviti
Sunday Mail Reporter
WOMEN from different walks of life gathered in Harare yesterday for the “I Am Woman 2026: Becoming — The Unveiling of You” conference, where speakers challenged them to embrace self-discovery, financial discipline and intentional living.
Held under the theme “The Currency of You”, the conference brought together female leaders, entrepreneurs, medical professionals and motivational speakers who shared experiences on leadership, self-worth, financial empowerment and resilience.
Guest speaker, businesswoman Mrs Tsitsi Masiyiwa, urged women to raise responsible children, pursue financial independence and make intentional life choices that secure long-term sustainability.
She warned mothers against overindulging children at the expense of preparing them for life, saying parenting should focus on building responsible and resilient adults rather than dependency.
“Do not spoil your children to the point where they cannot stand on their own. Our duty as mothers is to prepare them for life, responsibility and purpose,” she said.
She urged women to prioritise welfare independence, saying they must build lives that are not solely dependent on spouses, relatives or external support.
“A woman must learn to sustain herself and make wise choices because dependence can limit your freedom and your ability to make decisions,” she said.
Mrs Masiyiwa said sustainability begins with intentional decisions and sacrifice, urging women to think beyond short-term comfort and focus on securing lasting value for themselves and future generations.
“Your choices matter. The life you want tomorrow is shaped by the decisions you make today,” she said.
She further encouraged females to embrace personal responsibility, discipline and purpose, saying empowerment comes when women intentionally invest in themselves and those around them. Mrs Masiyiwa challenged women to embrace service and mentorship, saying empowered ladies have a responsibility to uplift younger generations and communities.
“When you rise, do not rise alone. Bring others with you and teach them what you have learnt,” she said.
Business executive Ms Sheree Shereni challenged women to stop chasing titles and instead focus on understanding their identity and bringing value.
“The defining moment of my life was when I had to define myself — who am I? I told myself, I am a value bringer,” she said.
She added that leadership opportunities emerge when people focus on contribution rather than status. Further, Ms Shereni urged women to position themselves as problem solvers and innovators, saying career growth comes through value creation.
Financial wellness speaker Ms Sharon Nyoni implored women to adopt smarter money habits by living beneath their means and prioritising investments over appearances.
She warned against “lifestyle inflation”, where income increases are quickly consumed by unnecessary spending.
“It’s not about being cheap, it’s about being smart,” she said, urging women to deliberately create room for savings and investment. “Savings are not an investment strategy — they are the beginning of it. You’ve got to invest and have growth.”
The conference was attended by several women leaders, including The Herald Editor Victoria Ruzvidzo.
