community builders:with Takemore Mazuruse
The wise posit that the ugliest person ever seen is a one without compassion. Love and respect for others is what makes one humane and true to this assertion, celebrated serial entrepreneur, women empowerment advocate and philanthropist Divine Simbi Ndhlukula (60), who has built a vast business empire with interests in security and integrated agriculture, lives by the biblical allusion that to whom much is given, much is expected.
So passionate about human service is the Securico MD that beyond her company’s corporate social responsibility initiatives, she has set up a bursary fund in her name to cater for underprivileged but brilliant young girls in her rural home area of Gutu in Masvingo province.
”My father was a successful businessman in his own right, but he taught us to love and respect others regardless of their social status,” said Simbi Ndhlukula.
“I vividly remember growing up with a lot of cousins and relatives who were under his care and the same love was accorded to members of the wider community.
“That socialisation has remained my guiding light and I subscribe to the biblical take that to whom much is given, much is expected and indeed we must never tire in doing well for in due time we shall reap if we faint not.
“This explains my ongoing support for disadvantaged rural girls, some of whom are in boarding schools.”
A holder of a Masters’ Degree in Business Administration from Midlands State University and a PhD from the Women’s University in Africa, Simbi Ndhlukula is the founder and MD of DDNS Security Operations Ltd, which is the holding company for Securico Security Services. She is also the chairperson of ZNCC Women’s Desk, and works with Woman Owned Brand, Mentorship in Practice and Look Learn and Share — portfolios that help her empower the marginalised of society.
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“When I started out in this business back in 1998, the security industry wasn’t employing women. This was on purely patriarchal reasons that such a move would be costly given the many responsibilities women have and with the potential to keep them away from duty for longer periods,” she said.
“Such reasoning did not deter my resolve to give women a chance because I had a strong conviction that empowering women would make a big difference in society.
“I had seen the dangers of women abuse, especially in instances where women are not capacitated coupled with the risk of failure to take their children to school.
“My move to empower them with employment though not popular with colleagues in the industry, became a turning point.”
Simbi Ndhlukula revealed that in the early stages of their business operations, they would deliberately set aside a quota for widows and single women who had a compromised chance at employment against their preferred male counterparts.
“My colleagues in the security industry thought I was mad to employ women given the perceived pitfalls like maternity leave, compassionate leave and other demands like having to fend for sick family members and their children, which all militated against their chances,” she said.
“Over two decades on, I can attest to the life-changing power of the policy decision we made and I am highly inspired by the various stories of change borne out of our steadfastness in women employment against all odds.”
While her schedule keeps her on toes given the growing business empire, Simbi Ndhlukula has given herself to service and she reiterated her unwavering commitment to inspire and empower women and the wider Zimbabwean community whenever duty beckons.
“I believe I have a story to share and I get invited to speak at various forums, including some organised by women organisations with a view to inspire the next person to become better. Yes, success comes at a price with regard to time management, but I believe it must not change us,” she said.
“This is why I have made it a point to mentor women and support those in enterprise through the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce Women’s Desk, which I am chairperson of, and it is my hope that through this we raise a generation of self-conscious and highly successful women.”
With her company employing close to 4 000 people and championing various human development initiatives in Zimbabwe and beyond, Simbi Ndhlukula is listed as one of the top 100 lioness entrepreneurs by Lioness of Africa, a community passionate about women entrepreneurship in Africa and supporting the start-up dreams of all women on the continent.
“I started this business for personal survival and to make sure that I am able to fend for my family and give them the best life possible, but I am glad that my story to date has become an inspiration to many in Zimbabwe and the region as a whole,” she said.
“It is my hope that all fellow women out there rise above their limitations and seek self-actualisation. There is a lot we can do in spite of the challenging environment. Let us go the extra mile and believe in our inherent potential to achieve.”
Securico today provides its clients with a complete security solution — uniformed armed officers, armoured vehicles for transportation of valuables, onsite banking, trained guard dogs, and electronic security systems. The company also does private investigations, employee vetting, and security consulting — milestones that all seemed far-fetched when she started.
A passionate farmer, who is into integrated agribusiness through her Zvikomborero Farm, Simbi Ndhlukula also revealed that enterprise was not so much about the unthinkable, but using available resources to better’s one life.
“My community development work has morphed into something big and through strategic development players, I am happy to say I am part of the EU-ZABG programme through which we have reached out to women in outlying areas capacitating them with well-thought-out small livestock projects,” she said.
“Where they were focusing on basic goat production, we have brought in better knowledge and skill sets with a view to commercialise their enterprises so that they can achieve more.”
Simbi Ndhlukula, named by Forbes magazine as one of the most successful women in Africa, shared some life principles which have helped her weather the storms of life and achieve her celebrated milestones.
“I am one person who values self-confidence and I believe everything that I have achieved to date is as a result of my self-belief even when conditions and circumstances pointed otherwise,” she said.
“Also important is the principle of being honest and upfront. Be trustworthy and have clarity of intent. That way you become an authentic person who can be trusted with opportunities which in turn add value to your enterprise.”
A devout Christian and a member of the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe, Simbi Ndhlukula said it was important for people to remain down-to-earth and humane regardless of the success they achieve in life.
“I don’t believe anything should change us. Whether you are living in an ivory tower or shack, you should stay humane and engage respectfully with society,” she said.
“We are what society says we are and it is important to stay grounded no matter how much success comes our way. We are human first and everything else later. We must remain humble, grounded and authentic.”
