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Precious Manomano
Herald Reporter
Zimbabwean women keep breaking barriers with their achievements serving as a clear demonstration of immense effort and unwavering determination, showing that gender poses no obstacle to attaining exceptional professional success.
This came out recently during the Proweb high tea event where female captains of industry gathered to share their journeys in male- dominated circles.
Energy and Power Development Permanent Secretary Eng Gloria Magombo said the journey to become successful was not easy and perseverance was needed.
Eng Magombo started her career as an engineer in a power station, then as a consultant and regulator and eventually a policy maker.
“I learnt not to be afraid. I did sciences at school but we were few women. I became an engineer by chance. I wanted to be a geologist but I had already chosen a male -dominated field in the mining sector. I applied for a scholarship which I got, but on the day I was supposed to leave I was shackled elsewhere where I was given a job to be an engineer.
“I worked at a power station and the first hurdle that I faced was that there was no toilet in the technical side of the building; there were no facilities for women in the power plant. Some men would laugh as me as I passed,” she said.
She said one of the key issues she did in her life journey was to leave jobs nicely, saying this would give an opportunity to come back. Nothing was easy and she worked harder to prove herself.
She encouraged other women to keep on working hard and identify opportunities.
Zim Cyber City chief executive Ms Tendayi Hlupo-Mamvura said her background had opened doors to construction, catering, curtains, interior decor.
“My mother was a social worker and my father was a headmaster, so I was privileged to be taught. There was nothing for boys or girls. I grew up servicing cars. I also knew how to do welding. So that is the privileged background that I had. It set a foundation for the way I think. If it can be done, I can do it. Because of that privileged background I can do whatever I set my mind to do,” she said.
Mutapa Investments chairperson Mrs Chipo Mtasa said she ventured into various organisations such as Financial Gazette and an accounting firm.
Her father has been a towering figure in her life, adding that she also learnt to stand up for herself.
“I grew up in the Eastern Highlands. I had more adventures. I went into a STEM class and there were six girls. I refused to be treated as a lesser person. My father was always encouraging me, always cheering me on. He told me that Chipo is a determined person.
“Be courageous, sometimes you have to close your eyes and say to yourself I can do it, positive affirmation to yourself because if you don’t start by affirming yourself no one else will. And say I will make it, then you will surely make it,” she said.
Mrs Mtasa urged other women to be courageous and strong to stand for the right things and value systems.
Online Reporter