The power of networking

Standard Style
Being a marketer at heart, I have always known that there is great value in networking. This was re-established in my beliefs by the SA ZIM Business Connection dinner that I attended in Bulawayo last week.

Being a marketer at heart, I have always known that there is great value in networking. This was re-established in my beliefs by the SA ZIM Business Connection dinner that I attended in Bulawayo last week.

Brand Savvy with Stha

Justice Maphosa
Justice Maphosa

I had read from my friend Terrence Mugova’s profile on Facebook that he was involved in an initiative with a consortium of South African God-fearing business people who were sowing into Zimbabwe through the Warm Bulawayo Campaign. He related a moving story of how the group touched the lives of deserving organisations such as hospitals. Having toured Matabeleland South in one of my trips around the country, I ended up at Gwanda Provincial Hospital where I was in awe of the standard that was employed at the hospital to continuously improve the health care centre. In fact, for a moment when I toured the private ward, it reminded me of the ambience in my room at Avenues Clinic, when I was admitted a few years back. I mentioned this to Mugova and requested that he includes Gwanda Provincial Hospital the next time they had resources to help. I implored upon him the need to visit the hospital if ever he had the chance. I was quite humbled when he said he believed in my take of things in this instance. This conversation then took a backstage in the weeks that followed until he came up to me in the church auditorium last Sunday and said they had considered my request and would donate 200 blankets to Gwanda Provincial Hospital. Coincidentally, I did not have the details as to how many beds the hospital had and upon checking with the medical superintendent Pugie Tawanda Chimberengwa, he confirmed that there were 200 beds. I cannot even begin to relate how I felt. That was the power of a network. So, at the gala dinner we received the blankets for the hospital as per my request.

My little story on the power of networking is a tip of the iceberg of the bigger network initiative that the SA ZIM Business Connection holds. Their initiative seeks to promote business to business networking and trade between South Africa and Zimbabwe through positive engagements with governments and organised businesses and support to investment business structures and entrepreneurship. SA ZIM Business Connection was led by the astute businessman and multi-millionaire Justice Maphosa, who considers Zimbabwe his home away from home. It is his resources that went into the blankets and electric wheel chair that was presented at the gala dinner. He spoke at length about the power of networking and together with the consortium of business people that he travelled with, also multi-millionaires in their own right encouraged all present to get up and do something, to meet somebody, to talk to somebody. The high-profile dinner was also attended by ministers Walter Mzembi and Sithembiso Nyoni. Speaker after speaker reiterated the need to network and foster relations between the two countries. It also came out in that interaction that Zimbabwe has many investment opportunities that its people should consider. The Ambassador of South Africa to Zimbabwe stated that while the two countries could have their moments of not necessarily agreeing on everything, we were after all one people. Each speaker implored upon everyone present to desist on the dependence syndrome that was now the norm of the African continent. The message was that each country should take advantage of the distinct capabilities of the other country and use it to advance both nations. The messages at the dinner were to reiterate the power of great networks and to encourage a welcoming set up in both countries. The SA ZIM Business Connection undertook to facilitate access to key decision makers in both countries and exploit present opportunities in identified areas.

It is not every lesson that one will learn at business school, but after this rare experience that I must thank my friend Mugova for, I will never miss the opportunity to network. One might never know who holds the key to their need in business. It is my sincere hope that Team Gwanda Provincial Hospital will be freshly motivated to make their efforts in the community count for something.

Till next week, keep reading and remain brand-savvy.

Stha Magida is happy to share your thoughts and opinions. Please contact her on [email protected]