Online Reporter
Ronald Takudzwa Sambona-Youth Interactive Correspondent
Social media sensation, Ruvarashe Trish Kamuzonde, popularly known as Ruwa, convinces me that the question isn’t whether women will lead, but how soon the world will follow.
Leadership isn’t a crown; it’s action. Ruwa has proved the case beyond a reasonable doubt through her business and commitment to empowering the women she employs.
At just 23, the University of Zimbabwe Pharmaceutical Chemistry student has shown that with confidence, faith, and hard work, women can lead and start their own businesses.
Leveraging faith, family and authenticity, Ruwa has built Ruecharly, a hair and makeup brand that reflects her commitment to women’s empowerment, economic freedom and female leadership in a world sometimes cynical about women’s businesses.
“My goal is to help normalise women owning businesses in Zimbabwe and to show girls everywhere that faith, hard work, and confidence can take you far,” said Ruwa.
As Ruecharly’s CEO, she’s not just making women feel seen and confident, but creating jobs, mentoring young women, and proving that Zimbabwean women can build global businesses.
“I break barriers by opening up about the process and spotlighting other women doing the work.”
Ruwa’s work in business is at the intersection of female leadership, advocacy, and economic empowerment, which positions her purposefully.
Ruwa’s dual Ndebele and Shona heritage is central to her self-confidence.
“For me, embracing both cultures is important because it shows other young women that you don’t have to shrink parts of yourself to fit in — you can walk boldly in all of who you are,” she said.
Through education and modelling, Ruwa embodies empowerment, independence and professionalism in women.
“Beauty and professionalism go together, and when a woman feels confident, she starts leading in every area of her life,” said Ruwa.
Education gave her the confidence to think independently, build Ruecharly beyond just being a face.
Ruwa believes education is the foundation that enables women to create opportunities for themselves and others, and that it must never be denied or taken from women.
Her love for modelling and visual storytelling pulled her into music and media.
“We can be both creative and in control of how we’re presented, and the most meaningful collaborations are those where women lead, because that’s how we change the narrative from the inside.
“I’m passionate about music and visual storytelling because it’s where creativity meets culture,” said Ruwa.
She challenges the stereotype that women can’t control their narrative in entertainment, and wants more women directing, producing, and owning their work.
Ruwa believes mentorship shortens the road, gives women guidance, accountability, and the courage to keep going.
Her mother and grandmother shaped her faith and resilience — showing her what it means to keep going.
“Growing up with a single mother has taught me a lot about self-dependence, hence my driving force to open my own shop,” said Ruwa.
She’s inspired by Zimbabwean women like Sunshine, who’ve built businesses from the ground up and who make success feel possible.
“Girls need to see women who look like them winning, because mentorship turns ‘I can’t’ into ‘I can’ and gives you someone to reach back to.”
Her mother’s values of ambition with integrity, hard work with kindness, and everything done with God first, shape how she leads at Ruecharly and treats people.
Ruwa advocates for more women leadership, fair pay, and cultures that don’t punish women for ambition through showing up consistently, professionalism, and creating space for other women at Ruecharly.
Going into the future, Ruecharly is poised to be great — employing and mentoring dozens of young women — as Ruwa aims to leave a legacy of women’s advocacy.
