Divine Ndhlukula

BEFORE presenting Zimbabwe’s coveted livestock honour, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka, a man more often associated with statistics and big policy figures, set them aside and chose instead to tell a story. It was about an athlete. In the first race, the runner was so astonishingly fast that his rivals never really saw him. They followed only the swirling cloud of dust he left hanging in the air. In the second race, there was no dust at all. His rivals laughed, convinced he had slowed down. Some eased their pace, certain the competition had finally caught up. But as they approached the finish line, officials delivered a startling verdict: the runner had already crossed. He had become so fast that by the time the rest arrived, even the dust had settled. Dr Masuka turned towards Dr Divine Simbi-Ndhlukula and allowed the metaphor to settle over the gathering at Zvikomborero Farms in Featherstone. “That,” he said, “is where Zimbabwean agriculture is heading.” At Zvikomborero Farms, that metaphor is not abstract. It is visible in the land, in the systems and in the people who move through it before sunrise. The dust of the Minister’s story, however, is not only symbolic. It is remembered. Tabeth Rwafa remembers 2019 differently. It was the year the drought tightened its grip on Featherstone and the surrounding communities, when pastures failed and herds became liabilities rather than assets. https://www.heraldonline.co.zw/ndhlukula-racing-ahead-of-climate-change/

In 2024, after years of requests from peers and industry leaders, Dr. Divine Simbi Ndhlukula launched her debut book, Entrepreneurial Success: Insights on Growing Business in a Fluid Economy. More than a business book, it is a manual for building resilient companies in uncertain markets, shaped by her decades of experience at the helm of SECURICO and Zvikomborero Farms. The book blends story with strategy, offering insights that cut across sectors and speak directly to entrepreneurs, managers, and students navigating Africa’s fluid economies. From mindset and identity to people and processes, to financial discipline and execution, it lays out practical lessons on how to build systems that endure volatility and create long-term value. The reception was immediate and powerful. Phillip Mataranyika, Founder and Group CEO of Nyaradzo Group, described it as: “a trove of wisdom, rooted in the heart of Zimbabwe, carrying universal lessons in perseverance and strategic foresight.” Gloria, business executive, Difference-maker, Leadership Development Enthusiast, added: “Divine’s book is packed with practical wisdom for business leaders. Her resilience, moral courage, sheer determination, and focus on people are inspiring. She simply never gave up and built an incredible company, all with grace and joy. A delightfully written book.” While Kesina Dumba, Dream Builder Coach, Speaker and HR Executive, noted: “This book is a manual for success in both business and life. It’s full of mentorship and wisdom, with your heart poured into every page. Meeting you in person is icing on the cake, but the book is the real deal.” Below are five key takeaways from the book: 5 Key Takeaways 1. Mindset is strategy. Clarity of purpose, values, and resilience form the foundation of leadership. In volatile environments, mindset steadies the course when everything else is shifting. 2. People and processes drive sustainability. Hire for attitude, train for excellence, and embed routines that protect quality. Culture is built daily through accountability and the steady raising of standards. 3. Execution is the real differentiator. Ideas only matter if they are acted upon, measured, refined, and improved. Growth depends on disciplined follow-through, not big visions alone. 4. Financial discipline is nonnegotiable. Cash flow is the quiet partner of every successful venture. Sustainable growth rests on careful management of resources, especially in unpredictable markets. 5. Networks and community matter. Mentors and strong connections can accelerate progress, while family and society are central to how success is defined and shared. Success is not built alone; it thrives within the strength of community, family, and society. As Trevor Ncube, executive chairman of Alpha Media Holdings, put it: “Well done for the courage and the discipline to write. I know there is more where this came from. You are not done yet.” Entrepreneurial Success is not just a reflection on one woman’s journey; it is a handbook for anyone starting in business, for leaders navigating volatile economies, and for students who want lessons rooted in Africa but applicable everywhere. The book is available on Akello and at selected physical locations. *For more information or purchase enquiries, email: info@84.8.139.178

IN August 2025, Dr. Divine Simbi Ndhlukula was officially installed as Chancellor of the Women’s University in Africa. In her acceptance address, she set out a vision of leadership rooted in humility, service, and empowerment. Below is her full speech delivered at the 21st Graduation Ceremony: I am truly honoured to stand before you today as the newly installed Chancellor of this university. I want to thank you all for the trust and confidence you have placed in me. This is a great responsibility, and I accept it with humility and a clear commitment to serve. In my journey as a business leader, I have learned that real leadership is about building others, opening doors, creating opportunities, and helping people grow. I have especially focused on supporting women and young people because when they are empowered, families, communities, and even economies are strengthened. My mission which I have endeavored to communicate at every platform availed to me is simply “to see a stable political and economic environment in Africa and in particular in our country, that is conducive to individuals and businesses, pursuing their visions and goals, prosperity, justice and equality, especially where gender is concerned, and a strong education, and a society driven by humane values.” That same belief is what brings me to this role. I am proud to be part of a university whose vision is to educate, reduce gender gaps, and contribute to economic development. I look forward to supporting initiatives that connect education with practical, real-world outcomes and helping ensure that the university remains relevant and impactful in our society. To our brilliant students: you are the heart of this institution. Your dreams and your efforts matter. I encourage you to think boldly, aim high, and be ready to lead. The world needs young people who are not afraid to try, to fail, and to try again — people who are not content with the ordinary, but who are willing to stand out and make a difference. To the Board of Trustees, University Council, management, academic staff, and everyone who makes this institution what it is, thank you again for this opportunity. I look forward to working with you to support the university’s vision and goals in the years ahead. Thank you, Ngiyabonga. As Chancellor, Dr. Divine Simbi Ndhlukula brings lived proof of what inclusive leadership can achieve, grounded in decades of practical experience. Her appointment gives fresh strength and clarity to WUA’s mission, ensuring that education continues to unlock opportunity and shape a future where women and men lead as equals. The Standard 14 September 2025

A Childhood that Forged Steel In rural Gutu, Dr. Divine Simbi Ndhlukula grew up walking dusty roads between mission schools, often wading across the Ndengere River on her way home. Every week, she waited eagerly for the newspapers her father brought back from the city, reading headlines aloud and working through stories with a dictionary at hand. These rituals fueled her love of learning and convinced her that knowledge could lift anyone beyond their circumstances. She left Gutu carrying three anchors: grit, curiosity, and a resolve to excel. Early steps and entrepreneurial spark After attending schools such as St Dominic’s and Makumbe, the road led her to Harare, where she pursued accounting. She joined the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, then Old Mutual as an accounting officer, and later Intermarket in marketing. Yet her entrepreneurial spirit had long been awake. From selling clothes to colleagues at work to running canteens in Harare’s industrial areas, she turned every workplace into a classroom. These ventures taught her how systems function, how they break down, and how value is created. Saving the family farm, building SECURICO When family land risked being lost as collateral, she stepped in to save it and rebuilt it as Zvikomborero Farms, now a model in livestock production and training. In 1998, she entered the security sector, founding SECURICO to professionalise an industry that undervalued its people. The company set new benchmarks with ISO certifications and became a pioneer in gender inclusion. By 2012, SECURICO employed over 900 women, with women leading across management and director levels. Writing lessons Her debut book, Entrepreneurial Success: Insights on Growing Business in a Fluid Economy, captures decades of building resilient businesses in tough markets. Blending stories from SECURICO and Zvikomborero Farms, it shows how discipline, process, and mindset drive sustainable growth. The book won the 2025 NAMA Award for Outstanding Non-Fiction. A New Chapter in Higher Education In August 2025, Dr. Divine Simbi Ndhlukula was appointed Chancellor of the Women’s University in Africa. It is a full-circle role that unites her passions: education, empowerment, and building institutions. Today, she balances her commitments as business leader, farmer, philanthropist, author, committed family person, and now Chancellor, reinforcing the other, all driven by the same mission: to create pathways for others to rise. Awards, accolades, and positions of leadership Over the years, Dr. Divine Simbi Ndhlukula has been recognised locally and internationally for her leadership and impact. Selected honours include: The Standard 14 September 2025

As the Women’s University in Africa (WUA) appoints Dr. Divine Simbi Ndhlukula as its new Chancellor, I celebrate with deep admiration and heartfelt congratulations. This appointment is not just an institutional milestone, but a living testament to the power of women who dare to dream and transform nations. My own journey has been graced with the wisdom of these great women. I vividly remember visiting the Women’s University in Africa when Professor Hope Cynthia Sadza, the visionary co-founder of WUA and former Public Service Commissioner, was serving as Vice Chancellor. I was accompanied by Professor Ken Mufuka, and together we witnessed first-hand the brilliance of Prof. Sadza a force of intellect and foresight whose leadership created a sanctuary of empowerment through education. Interestingly, she and Prof. Mufuka had gone to Wadlove High School in Mashonaland East , where she was the Head Girl in the early 1960s. Listening to them reflect on their lives and successes was nothing short of inspirational. Prof. Sadza’s leadership, together with that of Dr. Fay Chung, another co-founder and former Minister of Education, laid the foundation for a university that continues to break barriers and champion women’s voices. Years later, I rejoiced at the appointment of Professor Sunungurai Chingarande as Vice Chancellor of WUA. A woman of impeccable reputation and academic depth, Prof. Chingarande has supported our Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Organisation (WEDO) movement, speaking on our platforms with conviction and courage. Her contribution to the intellectual and entrepreneurial landscape of Zimbabwe and beyond reflects a rare blend of substance, humility, and wisdom.   WEDO stands for Women Entrepreneurship Day Organization. It is a global movement and nonprofit that celebrates, empowers, and supports women entrepreneurs around the world. WEDO’s mission is to provide women with tools, resources, and platforms to grow their businesses, advocate for gender equality in entrepreneurship, and create economic opportunities for women and girls. And today, with the appointment of Dr. Divine Ndhlukula, the journey of WUA rises to even greater heights. I have had the honor of inviting Dr. Divine to several conferences in Masvingo and Harare. She was among the inaugural speakers when the WEDO movement was first introduced in Zimbabwe, and I also invited her to share her wisdom at the Ken Mufuka Foundation, where I serve as manager. Each time, she left audiences enriched her humility, wisdom, and knowledge shining through in ways that touch the heart and stir the spirit. This year in February 2025, we also celebrated the appointment of Commissioner Sternly Kondongwe to the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services Commission. She too has graced our platforms as a speaker and continues to make us proud as a member of the Great Zimbabweans Business Club. These milestones remind us that when women rise to positions of influence, they lift entire communities with them. Dr. Ndhlukula’s own story is unmatched. From founding SECURICO at her kitchen table with three employees and growing it into a company of over 4,000 people, to establishing Zvikomborero Farms as a thriving agribusiness, to authoring her bestselling book Entrepreneurial Success she is a living testimony of resilience and vision. Her life resonates powerfully with WUA’s mission of shaping women who not only excel but transform their societies. For me, this appointment is more than symbolic. It is a recognition that women like Dr. Ndhlukula, Prof. Sadza, Dr. Chung, Prof. Chingarande are not only empowering women they are building nations. Their work transcends gender. It is about development, education, and entrepreneurship on a scale that will be felt across Africa and the world. On behalf of the Great Zimbabweans Business Club, and as the WEDO Country Ambassador, I celebrate you, Dr. Divine Ndhlukula truly a daughter of the soil. Your story continues to inspire us, your leadership continues to guide us, and your achievements continue to elevate Zimbabwe’s place on the world map. We are proud to walk this journey with you and pledge our full support as you take on this new mantle of Chancellor at the Women’s University in Africa. Congratulations once again, Dr. Divine Simbi Ndhlukula. You carry not only the honor of this appointment but the hopes and aspirations of a nation and a continent. Angeline Zimbwani Mikiri is the publisher Great Zimbabwe Times Magazine www.gztimes.co.zw and WEDO Country Ambassador  Great Zimbabwe Times