Gweru—In a bid to uplift women in business and close the knowledge gap in entrepreneurship, the Women Empowerment Bootcamp took center stage from the 18th to the 20th of September 2024 at the Gweru Memorial Library.
Hosted by American Corner Gweru, this three-day event aimed to arm female entrepreneurs with the necessary tools and expertise to grow their businesses.
Operating under the theme Discover | Develop | Deliver, the bootcamp highlighted the crucial role that women play as the backbone of Zimbabwe’s economy.
Keynote speakers for the event included Panashe Grace Limbani, Managing Director of Three Finger Foods, Anesu Isaac Fombe, Founder of Inspired to Motivate, and Pauls Tawanda Mashamba, Founder and CEO of Avance Business Consultancy.
The bootcamp attracted a diverse audience of aspiring and established businesswomen who gathered to share experiences, gain business insights, and strengthen their entrepreneurial skills.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Limbani, who was instrumental in organizing the bootcamp, shared her passion for empowering women entrepreneurs.
“After noticing the gap in knowledge among women in entrepreneurship, I felt mandated to equip them with the tools they need to propel their businesses to the next level,” she said.
“There is a need to help women build differently. Women must not only be given the opportunity to start businesses but also the knowledge to sustain and scale them.” she added.
Limbani’s sentiments were echoed by many of the attendees, some of whom expressed their struggles in navigating the complexities of the business world without proper guidance.
The bootcamp sought to fill this void by offering practical and relevant lessons in entrepreneurship, leadership, and financial literacy.
Anesu Isaac Fombe, whose work as a business consultant has led him to register over 100 companies, spoke candidly about the challenges SMEs face in Zimbabwe.
“As a business consultant, it pains me to see businesses that I have registered fail to grow. Out of over 100 companies, only three are standing out, the rest are nowhere to be found,” he remarked.
Fombe’s experience underlined a common challenge faced by many startups—initial enthusiasm and potential often wane without proper business acumen and support systems.
“So I sat down with other consultants in Gweru, and we decided to hold seminars that could help businesses, especially SMEs, to grow. To our surprise, very few have been attending these seminars,” he added.
“The feedback we received was that many women found the seminars too expensive. That’s when we decided to make this three-day Women Empowerment Bootcamp free, thanks to the support from American Corner Gweru.”
The bootcamp’s collaborative nature not only brought together business consultants but also provided a platform for peer-to-peer learning, with many participants expressing gratitude for the opportunity to share their journeys with like-minded women.
The bootcamp also featured a detailed session on business planning and funding strategies led by Paul Tawanda Mashamba, an esteemed business strategist.
Mashamba emphasized the importance of leadership in entrepreneurship, warning against the risks of ineffective leadership in business. “If a bad leader starts a business, the business becomes the next victim of bad leadership,” he noted.
His remarks drew attention to the often-overlooked link between leadership skills and business success, encouraging women to not only focus on their product or service but to also develop themselves as strong and capable leaders.
During his presentation, Mashamba broke down the essentials of a solid business plan, highlighting the importance of clarity, market research, and realistic financial projections.
He also discussed various funding mechanisms available to small businesses and the importance of building relationships with potential investors and stakeholders.
One of the most significant outcomes of the bootcamp was the boost in confidence that participants gained from the sessions.
Chido Gwerevezhe, an aspiring entrepreneur, shared how the workshop transformed her perspective on starting her own business. “The workshop helped me attain the confidence I needed to finally start my business. I can now start from a knowledgeable position,” Gwerevezhe said, reflecting the sentiments of many other participants who felt empowered to take actionable steps toward their entrepreneurial goals.
Gwerevezhe’s testimony is a poignant reminder of the role such events play in breaking down the psychological barriers that often hinder women from starting or expanding their businesses.
The lack of confidence is often cited as one of the biggest obstacles to female entrepreneurship, but initiatives like the Women Empowerment Bootcamp are proving to be key in bridging this gap.
The bootcamp was hailed as a resounding success by both participants and speakers, many of whom called for more initiatives aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs.
With the economic challenges currently facing Zimbabwe, women’s active participation in business is seen as critical to driving growth and innovation.
As Limbani aptly put it, “Empowering women in business is not just about giving them resources; it’s about enabling them to become leaders in their own right.” Through the collective efforts of the keynote speakers, organizers, and American Corner Gweru, the Women Empowerment Bootcamp has set the stage for the next generation of female business leaders who are ready to make their mark on Zimbabwe’s economy.
The Women Empowerment Bootcamp may have concluded, but the seeds it planted will likely grow for years to come, as participants continue to apply the lessons learned and inspire others to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.
For more information on upcoming business empowerment events, keep an eye on American Corner Gweru’s event calendar, and follow NewsPro for updates.
