Zimpapers Bulawayo staffers celebrate Women’s Month in style

Zimpapers, the country’s largest and most diversified media house, yesterday hosted International Women’s Month celebrations for its staff in the southern region, bringing together female professionals and entrepreneurs to discuss social pressures, mental health, and entrepreneurship.

It was a relaxed afternoon, with women engaging openly in a safe space while listening to various speakers.

Psychiatrist Dr Loveness Ndebele delivered a sobering presentation on the realities faced by many Zimbabwean women, noting that shifting social and economic dynamics have placed an overwhelming burden on them. She said women are increasingly becoming breadwinners, often supporting not only their children, but also male partners and extended family members.

“In one out of every two families, women are now taking care of men financially,” she said.
Dr Ndebele explained that beyond financial strain, women carry the bulk of the “mental load” in households, accounting for up to 71 percent of planning, decision-making, and emotional labour, leaving little room for rest and recovery.

She noted that mental health exists on a spectrum from thriving to crisis, with many women ignoring early warning signs such as fatigue, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and emotional exhaustion until they reach a breaking point.

“By the time most people seek help, they are already in crisis,” said Dr Ndebele.
She also pointed to cultural expectations and gender roles as key contributors, noting that women are expected to shoulder continuous responsibilities at home, while men often take on episodic tasks that allow for rest.

Another speaker, entrepreneur and event planner Miss Nosizo Ncube, highlighted the importance of confidence, particularly among women from disadvantaged backgrounds. Drawing from her own experience, she said many women fail to succeed not because they lack ability, but because they underestimate themselves.

“I represent women from disadvantaged backgrounds who aspire to be highly successful. The biggest disadvantage we face is a lack of confidence. We have the skills, but we sit on them,” Miss Ncube said.

She encouraged women to identify their strengths and present them boldly to the world, stressing that confidence plays a critical role in how others perceive their value.

“People will not buy from you if you look unsure. You must believe in yourself first,” she said.
Miss Kathy Mwanza, founder and owner of Cake Fairy and Fairy Café, shared her journey of turning a simple passion into a thriving business while reflecting on the resilience required to overcome challenges.

She revealed that her venture began as a hobby after baking a cake for her daughter’s birthday. Encouraged by positive feedback, she started receiving orders through word of mouth, gradually building a loyal customer base.

Ms Mwanza emphasised the importance of treating one’s skills as a business, noting that many people tend to undervalue what comes naturally to them.

“Bulawayo is a community. People support you because of who you are,” she said.

Ms Mwanza further urged women to remain resilient and turn their passions into sustainable income streams, emphasising that talent alone is not enough without confidence and a willingness to take risks.

The afternoon proved to be a much-needed gathering for women, serving as a unifying space. The event underscored the interconnected challenges women face from mental health pressures to economic barriers while also highlighting practical solutions rooted in confidence, self-awareness and resilience.