Mutunzi makes a mark in travel, tourism

in the travel agency business.
Having cut her teeth in the business over a decade ago, Ms Mutunzi has graduated from being an employee to an employer.
She is the founder and managing director of one of Zimbabwe’s leading travel agencies, Traverse Travel (Pvt) Ltd.
Traverse Travel is a travel management company, which has been in operation for just over eight years.
It offers services such as selling airline tickets for local, regional and international destinations, offers accommodation reservations, travel insurance, airport transfers, car hire, visa facilities and tours inbound and outbound.
Ms Mutunzi decided to form Transerve after being convinced that the 11 years’ working experience she had gained in the industry was enough for her to take the big plunge and do things on her own.
She said that she acquired valuable experience in business management, travel consulting as well as service offering, which became critical in the formation of her company.
She is particularly proud that she managed to establish the company from her own resources.
“I formed Traverse from my own savings as well as support from my clients. I am glad that I never borrowed money when I formed my company,” said Ms Mutunzi
She, however, laments the liquidity challenges in the economy, which have resulted in customers failing to pay cash, leaving the company with huge credits.
“We have resorted to demanding payment in cash only as we cannot afford to continue offering business on credit,” she said.
A trained travel consultant, Ms Mutunzi approaches the travel industry not just from a business perspective, but from a standpoint of something she is passionate about.
“Travel and tourism is something that I have always had a passion about, and establishing Traverse is a dream come true for me.
“I am happy to be playing my small part in this country’s growing travel and tourism industry,” she said.
Transerve has been causing waves in the industry and has won several accolades.
These include the first runner-up award for the best travel agent at the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority awards 2011, the Prestige Award 2011 from Swiss Airlines, the 2011 Top 10 Achiever Award sponsored by British Airways, the 2010-2011 Top 10 Travel Agent Award sponsored by Kenya Airways and the Best Travel Agent (2009 to date) sponsored by Galileo Zimbabwe.
Apart from her work experience, she says her parents were her greatest motivation since their strictness during her upbringing helped empower her in so many ways.
“My parents were very strict when we were growing up and they empowered me to be who I am today through encouraging me to work hard and giving me enough support whenever I needed it.
“I am proud to say that in my family I am the only one who has become an entrepreneur because all my brothers, sisters and uncles are all teachers. Above all, I thank the Almighty God for what I am today, He has helped me in ways that I never expected in my life,” she said.
Born in a small village in Bubi in Matabeleland, Ms Mutunzi is the second child in a family of five.
She spent her early childhood in Mqwashini in Bubi on the outskirts of Bulawayo where she did most of her primary school.
Zodwa later transferred to Groombridge Primary School in Harare for her Grade Seven.
Because of the nature of her father’s work, the family had to alternate between living in the “Sunshine City” and the “City of Kings”.
“My dad worked in Home Affairs so we always moved from Bulawayo to Harare and vice versa.
“I did my secondary school at Mount Pleasant High before I moved back to Bulawayo for my Form Four,” said Ms Mutunzi.
After completing her formal education, Zodwa enrolled at Speciss College to study a course in travel and tourism.
She took her first job as a ticketing agent at Express Motto in 1993, where she worked for two years.
In 1995 she moved to Pearlsard Travel where she worked as a receptionist before rising through the ranks to a junior consultant. In 1998 she joined The Travel Company as junior consultant.
She joined Wieland Travel in 1999 and worked there for a few months before landing a post with Real Travel and Tours after which she started her own business.
Ms Mutunzi exudes an enchanting youthful smile. She is, after all, a bubbly 40-year-old lady. She looks amazingly young for her age.
Asked on how she manages to keep young and fit, Zodwa replies: “Gym is my second home. I make it a priority to work out in the gym every day of my life.
“I am also a sportsperson who likes to play golf and squash so as to keep fit,” she said.
Zodwa enjoys traditional foods, with road runner chicken and sadza remhunga being her favourite.
She is a single mother of two girls and she says she will get married when she finds the perfect partner.
Her words of encouragement for all aspiring Zimbabwean women: “Do not do what others do just for the sake of it, but concentrate on what you are passionate about and you are guaranteed of success.”