…Awards to celebrate five (5) years of honouring excellence, innovation and resilience by women

Ngoni Dapira

ALL is set for the 5th edition of the annual Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) Manicaland Women in Enterprise Conference and Awards (WECA) to be held at Holiday Inn Mutare tomorrow (Friday) evening, Easterntimeseszim has learnt.

Running under the 2026 ZNCC national theme, “From Resilience to Competitiveness: Charting a New Pathway for Sustainable Industrial Growth,” the new ZNCC Manicaland manageress Nyasha Kahondo said the theme challenges women to move from being part of the value chain to owning the value chain as the country gears up to transform into a prosperous upper middle income society by 2030.

ZNCC is the country’s leading business membership organization dedicated to promoting, supporting and representing the interests of the business community through advocacy, networking, capacity development and strategic partnerships that foster economic growth and competitiveness.

ZNCC Manicaland manager Nyasha Kahondo

Kahondo said the provincial businesswomen awards are a brainchild of their chamber’s Women’s Desk, which was established in 2013 to ensure women’s participation in mainstream business and to unleash their entrepreneurial potential. She said the ZNCC Women’s Desk also builds entrepreneurship ecosystems that support women-owned Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and provides a platform for practical support and advocacy.

“The awards have over the years become the country’s biggest awards that honour women. They have become a flagship platform for recognizing and celebrating exceptional women entrepreneurs, business leaders and professionals who continue to make significant contributions to economic development, innovation, employment creation and community transformation across Manicaland Province and beyond,” she said.

She added that this year’s event marks a significant milestone as the Awards will celebrate five (5) years of promoting, empowering and recognizing women-led enterprises that are shaping Zimbabwe’s economic future through resilience, excellence and sustainable business practices. This will be her first rodeo, after being appointed last month following the untimely death of Perpetual Guwila in May who had served as the provincial manager for 26 years since 2000.

ZNCC national president Josephine Takundwa

The new ZNCC national president Josephine Takundwa, who is a businesswoman of note, will be the guest speaker. Takundwa who was elected as the national president in June this year will be expected to share insights on the country’s evolving business landscape and the critical role women continue to play in driving economic growth and industrial development as well as unpacking some of the plans that the chamber has for women-led businesses.

Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution Hon Advocate Misheck Mugadza.

The Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Advocate Misheck Mugadza will also preside over the event as the guest of honour, unpacking what Government is doing to support entrepreneurship, inclusive economic participation and the advancement of women in business.

Kahondo said the Manicaland Women in Enterprise Awards will have over 22 categories acknowledging outstanding achievements by women across diverse sectors including manufacturing, agriculture, mining, tourism, financial services, ICT, retail, sport, arts, professional services and education.

“Over the past five years, the initiative has highlighted remarkable success stories and inspired a new generation of women entrepreneurs to pursue excellence and innovation. The 5th Edition of the Women in Enterprise Awards represents more than an awards ceremony. It is a celebration of the determination, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit demonstrated by women across Manicaland. These awards recognize the vital contribution women make to economic growth, job creation and community development. We are proud to continue providing a platform that elevates and celebrates their achievements. Through strategic partnerships and stakeholder support, the awards continue to strengthen networks and create opportunities for emerging entrepreneurs,” she said.

Adding, “As ZNCC Manicaland we extend our appreciation to our sponsors like Willowton Group, Mega Market, Great Flavours, and others yet to confirm as well as all our partners, adjudicators, participating enterprises and stakeholders whose continued support has contributed to the success and growth of the Women in Enterprise Awards over the last five years.”

In past years the likes of Judith Shadaya, a celebrated gold miner and entreprenuer, Vongai Matangaidze a hotelier and haulage truck operator, Dr Susan Peters nee Mapara, founder and managing director of the exquisite hotel, Murambi East Villa amongst other entities in real estate, have received top awards at the annual awards.