Manicaland Influential Business Women Awards 2024 celebrates leadership, resilience and innovation

ZIMSPHERE 

MUTARE – Glitz and glamour marked the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) Manicaland Influential Women's Awards hosted at holiday Inn Mutare on the night of Saturday, 2 November, 2024. The event was held under the theme, 'Unlocking New Frontiers for Sustainable lndustrialization and Climate Smart Business Growth.' It was graced by the guest of honour and Minister of Women, Small to Medium Enterprises and Cooperatives Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, and Dr Susan Peters as the guest speaker.

The Holiday Inn Conference room was transformed into a befitting world stage, adorned with elegant glass vases complete with sublime flowery and roses to evoke a picturesque background for the fashionable guests, and all this thanks to Bouncy Bee Events. Photographers captured the winners' elation in time-frozen portraits with the smoothest percussionist on deck to play the event's melodies alongside the eloquent master of ceremonies Farai "Chayamaningi" Nzou—breathing life into Manicaland women's highest celebration.

Minister Mutsvangwa, in her key note address, revealed how happy she was to witness the celebration of women's milestones in the province. 

“The time to be distant from the elected government officials has come to an end, under the leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa. As business women you must engage with the local leadership so that you get the best result for yourself through working together as doing the contrary will be a disservice to yourself,” she said. 

“In business, politics and matrimony just as in life itself, we must never quit. There is a lot happening in the province and a lot that can assist the women, the youth and smaller businesses are part of the beneficiation and value addition.

“This event is an important milestone for women in the province and I am glad to be part of these glorious celebrations uplifting my fellow community members. As women, we must carry each other forward through mentorship programmes so that we rise together.”

The Minister of Provincial and Devolution Affairs for Manicaland Misheck Mugadza also emphasized the importance of diversification and Innovation for women to grow their business. “As we honour our achievement success is not a solo endeavour but it is a result of collaborations, teamwork and support,” Mugadza said. 

The guest of honour’s husband and Zanu PF politburo spokesperson and businessman Christoper Mutsvangwa added, “The destabilization of the nation has drastically affected the Mutare region. It is sad that people here in Mutare import their things through Durban, the container eats fuel about a thousand dollars from China then to Durban so much that by the time it gets to Zimbabwe its four thousand dollars for products. 

“You can’t compete, yet you are only 300 kilometers from Beira thus presenting the injustice. But thanks to President ED Mnangagwa in the last four years he has dramatically changed fortunes with a particular focus on Mutare becoming the Eastern gateway to the sea. So he has christened the great logistics corridor which passes through Mutare, back to Beira.”