-as Chikoka walks tall in education sector
Nyasha Marumbi
Mutare- Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce has honored outstanding business woman from Manicaland Province in various sectors last weekend.
The awards were held at Holiday Inn Hotel, running under the theme “Unlocking New Frontiers for sustainable Industrialisation and Climate-Smart Business Growth’.
The awards were meant to honor, motivate, and empower women in large and small scale businesses for their outstanding contribution to the growth and development of the economy in the year 2024.
The occasion which was graced by the Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Hon Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Adv Misheck Mugadza including ZNCC Manicaland Province vice president Dr Tendai Chitowa.
Visionary Women Executive Awards went to Manicaland ZRP Propol Commissioner Elizabeth Phiri her counterpart in the ZPCS Commisioner Spetosomusa Chihota, Christine Nyatoti(TelOne regional head) and Patience Kuziva Saurombe of Mark Brands Investments.
Judith Shadaya, a celebrated miner scoped two accolades, one for being the overall winner for women in mining and was recognized as an Iconic women in business.
As a small scale gold miner who rose slowly from 2009 when she lost her husband and son in a car accident. Shadaya dedicated her life to mining to better her life as widow.
Speaking to The Midweek Watch, Shadaya said she was very happy to be recognized as a women icon and it motivates her to keep working hard and encourage other women to do the same especially in sectors that are regarded as a preserve for men.
“I am very happy to be recognized as an Icon in the whole province, I regard this honoree as a motivation to keep on working in the mining industry and breaking barriers against gender dynamics” says Shadaya.
Shadaya is a small scale gold miner ,who now owns 3 gold claims in Odzi,4 in Nyanga ,one in Penhalonga and 3 in Nyanga.
The Most Influential Business women award was scooped by Dr Susan Peters, founder and managing director of Murambi East Villa.
Speaking at the event,Dr Peters shared how she started her businesses back in the 1980s as a hairdresser and encouraged other women to take pride in working hard against all odds in order to break barriers and set up business empires.
“Business is a passion that I have nurtured over the years and empowering women right across the world gives me a lot of pride” says Dr Peters.
Other accolades included Innovative Retail Entrepreneur Award which was won by LP Masamvu Retail and Wholesalers.
The Women in Agribusiness Leadership award was went to Christiana Taranhike of Intergral Kumusha, Women in Education and Training was awarded to multi business award winning educationist Orpah Chikoka of Rock of Ages Private schools which include Jack and Jill and Nomsa Chiadzwa Chave of Kiddies College.
