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Personal Growth — January 20, 2012

Zimbabwe’s Star Entrepreneur: Divine Ndhlukula

From insurance broker to farmer to head of one of the country’s largest security firms, this female entrepreneur learned a great deal while mastering the male-dominated security business.

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What’s the Latest Development?

Moving through the insurance industry, then working to save her family’s farm, Divine Ndhlukula overcame many obstacles on her way to starting one the country’s most successful security firms. And never mind that it was a male-dominated industry full of bribery and corruption. She found that the lined pockets of other security firms had made them complacent and that customers wanted a new business responsive to their needs. She understood early on that service and value added was going to carry the day.

What’s the Big Idea?

In December, Ndhlukula won the Legatum Africa Award for entrepreneurship. “The secret of success is found in one’s daily schedule,” she says, eschewing the management-speak too commonly heard from business consultants. She has a special message for women: “My advice to women all the time is: If you want a certain future, go out and create it. Conquer your fears as that is what enslaves most women. Opportunities are now galore. We just need to roll up our sleeves, lift our feet, and walk through the door as no one will carry us.”

Photo credit: shutterstock.com

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