An inspiration to many women in Zimbabwe and beyond, Divine Ndhukula is realistic about the challenges of business, and about the day-to-day challenges for widows and others in difficult circumstances. Her philosophy is to do good without expecting any immediate returns, she says.
She’s more than aware that the economic crisis affects people everywhere.
“Business is low and the country’s economy is not looking good at all. It would be unrealistic for anyone to argue that things are ok now,” she said.
Despite that, her company has made great strides in penetrating other regional markets, such as Zambia.
“We are optimistic that we will expand regionally because we explored the Zambian market and realised that we could expand,” she said. “But success is not about getting a lot of money. It is about having a vision and translating that vision into reality.
“I am guided by the need to provide quality services. For me, quality means doing it right when no-one is looking. The customer’s needs come first and there is no room for mediocrity. Never tire in doing good, because every good deed is a door- opener,” said Ndhukula.
She narrated her path to success, elaborating on her humble beginnings.
“I started with just one security guard and I was operating from a makeshift backyard office. I had one lady who assisted me with the day-to-day running of the business,” she said. These days, her security business has more than 4,000 employees – 900 of them women.
“The most important thing is to bring on board people who can identify with your vision,” she said. “It is wrong for aspiring female entrepreneurs to say the environment is not conducive for their growth and progress. It is never easy to venture into any kind of business. Do not let your fear of losing override the joys of winning and being successful. Be courageous and work towards seeing your dreams translate into reality.”
The Securico boss formed her company in 1998 and has won a host of awards, including the Empretec Entrepreneur of the Year in 2001 and Entrepreneur of the Decade 2002. In 2011, she scooped the Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship, beating more than 3,000 other firms from 48 African nations.
Ndhukula bought Multi Link in 2008, a company that specialises in security systems, the installation of CCTV, razorwire, alarms and all the related electronic security needs of consumers. The company was also expanded with the integration of the Canine dog section.
“The establishment of this company is justified because I can offer employment to women,” said Ndhukula. It would break my heart to see all these people jobless, because widows, single mothers and all these vulnerable people have no-one else to look out for them.”
She told The Zimbabwean that experience had taught her that good leadership entailed setting the tone and working hard to ensure the realisation of a vision.
“If you want to be successful, be with your foot soldiers and be a hands-on person. If you work just for the money, you will never make it, but if you love what you are doing and you always put the customer first, success is guaranteed,” she said.
She urged young women entrepreneurs to be go-getters rather than waiting for opportunities to be offered to them on a plate.
In her spare time, Ndhukula is an avid reader, loves gardening and occasionally ventures onto the golf course. She rears cattle and grows tobacco on the farm she bought in 1992, and has eight children.
Post published in: News