Online Reporter
Fatima Bulla-Musakwa
TRAILBLAZING female speakers are set to inspire women who will attend the much-anticipated Ladies’ Sundowner Picnic in Avondale this afternoon.
The mind-blowing line-up is made up of Dr Chipo Mtasa, a seasoned businesswoman and board chairperson of Mutapa Investment.
Dr Mtasa, who is also a chartered accountant by profession, wears various caps, while possessing multiple awards for empowering women and girls.
Over the past years, Dr Mtasa held positions which include the managing director for TelOne, president of the Zimbabwe Council for Tourism and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, as well as group chief executive of Rainbow Tourism Group.
She also possesses an honorary Doctorate of Philosophy Degree in Business Management for empowering women and girls in Africa.
A wife and mother of five, Dr Mtasa will tackle the topic Balancing Business and Home Life.
Also speaking at the event is Women’s University in Africa Chancellor Dr Divine Ndhlukula, the founder and managing director of the first ISO certified Security Company, Securico.
An entrepreneur, speaker, author and philanthropist, Dr Ndhlukula also specialises in farming at Zvikomborero Farm, where she pursues extensive goat production. Dr Ndhlukula will share her journey to success with women who will grace the occasion.
Adding to the line-up is the founder and secretary general of Zimbabwe Free Range Poultry Association, Ms Beauty Jiji.
She is a specialist in integrated farming who once held the posts of Senior Economic Development Advisor, Land Use Planner and Institutional Development Specialist.
A mother of two and visionary of Heritage Poultry Farm, Ms Jiji, will speak on building an empire from small beginnings.
Women will also gain insights from Ms Sibyl Madzikanda, the Human Resources Director at DNMZ Engineers (South Africa and Zimbabwe) and an expert in organisational strategy, human capital development, and corporate governance.
With a career spanning leadership roles in banking, consulting and corporate management, Mrs Madzikanda is also a member of the Zimpapers board. She will tackle the topic, Connections that matter: women supporting women.
To empower women with issues about inheritance laws is Ms Rachel Chibaya, the founder of R.Chibaya Law Chambers.
A seasoned lawyer, Ms Chibaya made the Top 30 Most Influential Female Law Firm Founders in Africa in 2020.
With her expertise, she mentors young female law students. She also holds positions of vice president of the Law Society of Zimbabwe, vice chair of the Zimbabwe Institute of Strategic Thinking (ZIST) and has been vice president of the Association of European Lawyers in Africa.
Award-winning businesswoman and visionary of Graceland Waters Resort, Mrs Grace Musandirire, concludes the line-up of speakers. The former fish vendor and co-founder of Grabester Fisheries will empower women on the topic of creating generational wealth.
Speaking ahead of the event, The Herald Editor Victoria Ruzvidzo said Zimpapers, through this initiative had seen it fit to play its role to empower women through such events.
“With these programmes we hope to play our role in empowering women and ensure that they are inspired by other women who have smashed the glass ceiling in their spheres of influence,” she said.
The country’s largest integrated media house, Zimpapers, through its flagship brands, The Herald and Star FM, is organising this picnic under the theme, “Creating Generational Wealth”.
The event has drawn significant attention from seasoned business leaders to emerging start-ups – in a celebration of entrepreneurship, collaboration and personal growth.
For attendance and exhibition, contact Fatima on 0717 687316 or Kimberly on 0773 618 782.
