Goba – A woman after integrity, gender sensitivity

Goba, would like to see chartered secretaries play a leading role in business and offering advice to policymakers in various Government departments.
She would also like to see them promoting gender sensitivity in the organisations they work for and in any committees they sit on.
Mrs Goba, who is the head of human resources and administration at the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe, was elected to lead the country’s chartered secretaries at the institute’s annual general meeting on June 22.
Aico Africa group company secretary Mr Pious Manamike was elected for a second term as vice-president. Mr Glovah Ngoni Madzima, the finance director and company secretary at Carnaudmetalbox Zimbabwe, was elected the institute’s other vice-president.
Mrs Goba, who is a fellow of the institute and was formerly one of the institute’s two vice-presidents, was elected in her absence, as she was out of the country on business.
Speaking on her return to Zimbabwe, that she had been chosen to lead the country’s chartered secretaries over the next year, Mrs Goba said she would like to see chartered secretaries promoting gender sensitivity in the organisations they work for.
“Gender mainstreaming should be part of the thinking process in drawing up strategic plans for organisations. Budgets and conditions of service should be gender sensitive,” she said.
Mrs Goba said she would like to see chartered secretaries playing leading roles in business and influencing Government policies by offering policymakers advice through the relevant ministries.
The theme she has chosen for her year in office is “creating chartered secretaries of integrity who always strive for excellence”.
She said the institute contributes to the national economy through leadership, corporate secretaryship, administration and governance of commerce, industry and the public sector.
“I would like to see chartered secretaries who accept leadership positions in their organisations inspire people and influence behaviour so that they contribute towards achieving the set goals of their various entities,” she said.
“Chartered secretaries should be strategic thinkers and not mere followers. They should dream big and continuously ensure integrity is maintained in organisations,” she said.
This meant adhering to the generally accepted moral principles of being honest, impartial, straightforward and trustworthy.
Mrs Goba added that chartered secretaries who show integrity in their conduct will be making great steps towards excellence. She said she would like to see chartered secretaries who “walk the talk” and in the process guide the young generation to move in the right direction.
She pointed out that people of integrity never use confidential information for personal benefit or abuse their positions in any way. They avoid conflict of interest and never convert to their own use or benefit any resources or assets that are not personally owned by them or approved for such use.
She added that there is also an onus on members of staff to ensure that colleagues are not left open to such temptations.
Mrs Goba went on to say people should avoid any gifts, services or hospitality that could affect or be interpreted as affecting integrity or the ability to exercise independent judgment. She said they should avoid practices that could make an individual vulnerable to financial difficulties that might lead to malpractice. They should refrain from any conduct or activity that might discredit them or the organisation they work for.
She believes communication plays a major role when addressing any problems and that lack of clear communication channels can adversely affect progress.
Mrs Goba holds a Master of Business Administration degree and is a fellow of the institute. She is a member of the Thematic Committee on Specific Requirements for Governance in State-Owned Enterprises and Parastatals. She is also a member of the Zimbabwe Human Resources Development and Empowerment Committee of the Communications Regulators’ Association of Southern Africa.
She is a board member of the Zimbabwe Women’s Resource Centre Network and the Chitungwiza Garment Factory.
She is a life member of the Jairos Jiri Association and has served on the Council of the Bindura University of Science Education for three years.
A devout Catholic, Mrs Goba is married and has four children and a grandson.