Mabena wins top award

Prominent Bulawayo businesswoman and Rotarian Priscilla Mabena was recently crowned the Megafest Business Woman of the year 2012-2013 during a colourful ceremony. The annual Megafest Business Awards recognize outstanding business people from the city and beyond for their excellence.

“It really feels good. The feeling is that of someone who have just finished climbing Mount Everest. There has been a lot of sweat and tears. More than anything it has been a lot of hard work,” said Mabena, the Managing director of Cilla’s Conference Centre, which offers catering services for private and corporate events.

She attributed the award to her staff, clients, family and the Bulawayo community which she said has been very supportive of her business. The company has supported students who struggle to raise schools fees and has also donated floating trophies to educational institutions throughout Matabeleland province.

“As the president of the Rotary Anns, I have realized the importance of giving back to the community .Rotary is about assisting the less fortunate in our communities and we have done this to individuals and institutions in and around Bulawayo. There is nothing that is as fulfilling as putting a smile on someone’s face or giving hope in a hopeless situation,” said Mabena, who is married to the former National Railways of Zimbabwe general manager, Alvord Mabena.

In 2011 she was voted Female Entrepreneur of the year as well as the Zimbabwe Institute of Management Conference Supplier of the year. She challenged other women to venture into big time business.

“For a very long time women have been associated with small businesses like sewing and poultry. The time has come for women to enter the dominated male sectors,” she said. The company’s centre has conference rooms that can accommodate up to 100 people at a time. It also offers virtual offices and outdoor catering.

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