by Charles Maregere
VaChihera is the only female cross border driver in her route and many people have been inspired by her humble approach to work.
The two-time Cross Border Driver of the Year Award winner does the Harare – Cape Town route which is a three-day nonstop trip.
She owes a lot of her success in her career now spanning over 20 years to her employers –Chihwa Tours, her caring husband who has been supportive all the way and her male colleagues whom she says are really supportive to her.
Being in the cross border industry for that long can surely never be possible without a caring family which understands the nature of her job.
She admits night driving has its own challenges but with the experience she has gained so far, she thanks the Almighty God that she can drive with ease at any time of the day.business

3. Meet Telecel Zimbabwe’s Engineer Remember Muchechemera

A network engineer is a technology professional who has the necessary skills to plan, implement and build networks that support voice, data, and video and wireless network services.
Thirty-seven-year old Eng Machechemera is based at Telecel headquarters in Harare and is a fine product of National University of Science and Technology (NUST).
Her main goal is to ensure the availability of high quality network infrastructure to provide maximum performance to users. Eng Muchechemera owes her success to prayer, hard work and her very supportive husband, who is also an engineer.
She encourages girls and young women to rise above invisible barriers set by society, but how would she encourage a young woman into this field?
“By inspiring them, like I was inspired, by letting them know how engineers impact the world. Nearly everything we touch in this world has been engineered; from mobile phones, clothes to food. I would also tell young women and girls that a career in engineering offers a path of opportunity.
 “It is an intriguing field but is not gender balanced. It can also be difficult for a girl to believe that she is actually qualified to be an engineer due to long-held social stereotypes. The best way out is to know your goals in life. Stay focused and you will be an achiever,” she says.

4. Meet Onrad Matarutse, a quantity surveyor with Turner & Towsend

The construction industry is still largely regarded as a male domain, and women are not taken seriously as professionals in construction.
Society, tradition, organisational culture, and sexist attitudes play a major role when appointing women in leadership positions.

A product of NUST, Matarutse’s advice to young girls out there is:
“Do what is required to succeed. Get the qualification, put in the hard work and time and don’t let people ‘pigeonhole’ you.”
Her advice for women in male-dominated environments is: “Be good at what you do and let them recognise your value. Be firm and assertive without trying to be a man.

Inspired by her uncle who is also a quantity surveyor, Onrad says construction should not be male dominated because the industry is considered ‘rough and tough’.
Women should be given a chance to prove themselves in the construction industry because quantity surveyors get joy when their projects improve the lives of communities and citizens.
There is a clear indication that commitment, dedication, acknowledgement, responsibility, confidence, and self-promotion have an impact on the core competencies of women in construction.
Women are prepared to work harder than men if given a chance. Furthermore, women are perceived to do well in situations where they need to manage different projects all at once.Business

 by Charles Maregere

Machine shops are still predominantly a man’s world, not sure why?
“I didn’t choose the field to prove something to society. I chose it because I thought it would really be fun and provide new opportunities for me.
“Yes I feel awesome in work suits and when I see people stare at me in amazement and awe as I recondition engine heads, crankshafts or prop-shafts. But it’s just some additional effect, and not my main motivation. And there is always that guilty pleasure of suddenly joining guys in their chat about car maintenance… and to see them slowly realise that I know my stuff,” says Mudyambwa.
When women rise in their communities, the communities themselves rise to new heights of prosperity and health.
Over and over, studies have found a direct correlation between women’s empowerment and GDP growth, business growth, environmental sustainability, improved human health, and other positive spinoffs.
Courtesy of Masvingo Photographers Association. Business

VaChihera is the only female cross border driver in her route and many people have been inspired by her humble approach to work.
The two-time Cross Border Driver of the Year Award winner does the Harare – Cape Town route which is a three-day nonstop trip.
She owes a lot of her success in her career now spanning over 20 years to her employers –Chihwa Tours, her caring husband who has been supportive all the way and her male colleagues whom she says are really supportive to her.
Being in the cross border industry for that long can surely never be possible without a caring family which understands the nature of her job.
She admits night driving has its own challenges but with the experience she has gained so far, she thanks the Almighty God that she can drive with ease at any time of the day.