Online Reporter
Nokuthula Dube
Herald Reporter
THE Commonwealth Business Women Africa (CBW-Africa) Zimbabwe chapter celebrated its first anniversary with the official launch of its local operations after a year of running virtually.
This marks a major step in CBW’s mission to empower women from diverse professional and cultural backgrounds — both within Zimbabwe and in the Diaspora.
Its members include farmers, bakers, teachers, digital artists, entrepreneurs and corporate professionals — women who are balancing careers, running homes and families.
The guest speaker at the launch, Ms Apphia Nyasha Musavengana, encouraged collaboration among women entrepreneurs and pledged US$5 000 to support their ventures.
“Let’s be each other’s keeper. There are opportunities for women entrepreneurs in Zimbabwe,” she said.
“I have set aside a budget of US$5 000 to support every woman in this room who has a business idea,” she said.
“The CBW board will help with distributing, monitoring, and evaluating these funds to ensure that everyone is uplifted.”
CBW Zimbabwe country head, Mrs Angeline Mhlanga, emphasised the transformative power of the platform.
“Zimbabwe’s Virtual Chapter celebrates its first anniversary this week, marking a milestone in empowering women from across the country and the diaspora,” she said.
She explained that the chapter was launched under the leadership of CBW Africa president, Ngoti Oyewole, whose rallying mantra—“We are the ones we’ve been waiting for”—inspired women to take the lead in shaping their futures.
Reflecting on the chapter’s origins, Mrs Mhlanga said the idea for CBW Zimbabwe was sparked unexpectedly while she was facilitating events in Zanzibar and Kenya, experiences that caught Oyewole’s attention.
“What is meant for you will always find its way to you, even if the path is unexpected,” she said.
She credited the virtual platform for “revolutionising engagement,” demonstrating that meaningful impact does not require a physical presence.
Over the past year, CBW Zimbabwe has united women from cities including Kwekwe, Gweru, Masvingo, Bulawayo, Plumtree, Harare, and Victoria Falls.
The chapter provides mentorship, training, business development opportunities, and a supportive network that celebrates each win and offers guidance through challenges.
The platform has become a beacon for women building sustainable legacies while accessing Pan-African and global networks.
