Chronicle Editor
Charity Chikara, Sunday News Correspondent
A 32-year-old woman from Kezi in Matabeleland South province, Ms Cleopatra Ngwenya, who runs a water engineering company has scooped a second award this year as she bagged an Outstanding Woman in Engineering of the year award in the Megafest Women’s Awards held in Harare recently.
Ms Cleopatra Ngwenya is the chief executive officer and founder of EcoVision water engineering company based in Bulawayo.
Her company serves local authorities, several municipalities, hospitals, hotels, among others.
The company has since establishment managed to uplift people through employment and service provision.
Ms Ngwenya said she was delighted to see that the company’s efforts were not going unnoticed.
“I am ecstatic, it’s unbelievable, considering that I have been running my business along with my 9am-5pm job from which I resigned in May to pursue EcoVision on a full-time basis.
“It feels good to know that someone recognises my hard work to that extent.
“I really wasn’t expecting the award anytime now or even next year, but it looks like there are people who have been watching me grow and were happy to nominate me for the award.
“I commend Megafest for creating a platform that allows women to be recognised, to be seen and be heard.
“I am grateful to be one of the recipients of such a prestigious award. I have no doubt that this award will open more doors for me”, she said.
Championing business in the vastly male dominated industry has been a challenge for Ms Ngwenya as patriarchal beliefs seemed to be her main stumbling block. She has however, proven the world wrong and continues to strive. This is the second award she has won this year.
The first award being the ZITF silver medal in the mining and engineering exhibition sector.
“EcoVision has created employment for more than 20 people, either permanent or contractual, but with two of our upcoming projects, which I cannot divulge at the moment, we are looking forward to create employment for at least 50 people. said Ms Ngwenya.
@chikaracharity
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter