Esteemed Business Women gear up for Zambia Trade Fair

MEMBERS of the Esteemed Business Women Zimbabwe (EBWZ) are set to showcase products and services at the upcoming Zambia International Trade Fair (ZITF) set for June 26 to July 2, at the Ndola Trade Fair Grounds.

EBWZ is also set to participate in the 114th edition of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show from August 26 to 31.

The ZITF is the biggest trade and commercial exhibition in Zambia, which hosts both local and foreign exhibitors from all sectors of the economy with a view of enhancing global trade.

In an interview, EBWZ founder Sipho Mazibuko attributed her rise to prominence to a realisation:

“After the success of our exhibition, supported by our SME members and sponsors such as bank finance houses, Ema, the popular Kambucha drinks brand, and Mrs Sinkwa and following our full participation at the ZB Expo last week at ZITF where EBWZ members occupied 70 percent of the exhibition space, I realised the critical importance of advertising, networking and the value provided by expos.

“They facilitate extensive networking and collaborations. Moreover, the ZB Expo also featured a training conference centre on the side, where EBWZ members reported learning valuable insights from various speakers,” she said.

Mazibuko also paid homage to the Chronicle advertising team, which emancipated EBWZ members with affordable advertising rates.

“This initiative aimed to address SMEs’ perception that advertising is impractical and unaffordable.

“The offer has opened my members’ minds and created brand awareness for their businesses. Our eldest advertiser in our EBWZ supplement hails from Binga and she has reported brisk business attracted by the advert she flighted in the Chronicle supplement.

“I also wore some of her work to meetings in Harare and to the Regional Traditional Cookout Competition hosted by the First Lady, Her Excellency Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, which attracted a lot of clients for beadwork,” she said.

“I took lots of her beadwork to sell on her behalf. I would like to emphasise the importance of advertising to all SMEs, not only Esteemed members and I’m encouraging SMEs to embrace Expos and advertising, be it on social media WhatsApp groups or newspapers.

“I am where I am because of advertising, and I am imparting that knowledge to all EBWZ members. EBWZ has even expanded beyond borders to South Africa, England, Ireland, Spain, the USA, and Australia, with EBWZ groups now established in the diaspora.”

Mazibuko said the inaugural EBWZ conference in May was a first and another one is being planned for South Africa in September as well as one in Manchester, UK with dates to be announced soon.

She said she is not resting on her laurels but work is currently underway to extensively promote the brand.

“EBWZ has established a strong presence in Matabeleland South, with nearly 300 members in Zindiza. We’re organising a conference in Insiza to promote rural empowerment and challenge gender stereotypes. I’m encouraging SME networking and have even launched a group for men, which has grown to 400 members, fostering business connections and opportunities.”

Brand visibility is at the core of businesses and as such, Mazibuko has made it a point to be a visionary for other women to follow suit. — Follow on X @MbuleloMpofu.