In September 2020 Emilia Chisango lost all the merchandise that was inside Hempac Sports Equipment shop when a fire gutted down a city building in Harare.
An electric fault in the building was identified as a possible cause of the accident and onlookers, who gathered at the corner of First Street and Speke Avenue, could not do anything to avert the danger.
Fearing for their safety, they gathered outside and watched in shock and horror as the huge flames destroyed everything.
After investing her time, money, and energy in the shop the fire was an unfortunate incident that reversed the significant progress Emilia had made in her entrepreneurial journey. The destruction caused by the fire also cast a dark cloud on the dangers and risks associated with running a business and illustrated that accidents can happen to anyone, especially when they are least expected.
Life can bring with it unexpected and uncomfortable incidents. To Emilia, the fire was one such incident. It is very difficult for a person to find the motivation and energy to get back on their feet in the face of such depressing circumstances.
In a few moments, the business she had worked so hard to set up and a shop that had become a hive of activity in the Harare Central Business District was extensively damaged by a fire.
Many people who felt sorry for Emilia as she considered her next move while standing in the ashes started writing her off. To them, it was unthinkable that a person would be able to recover after encountering such a significant setback.
But four years down the line, the businesswoman is still standing. Her never-say-die attitude and stubborn spirit to achieve breakthroughs while facing very difficult challenges have made her a hero among those who may identify with her struggles.
Emilia, a Chartered Accountant with more than 25 years of working experience, chose to focus on her career. Immersing herself in her work, she refused to throw in the towel and decided to let her capabilities and growing reputation in the corporate sector speak for themselves.
After all, she had become accustomed to overcoming difficult situations throughout her career. A holder of a Bachelor of Accountancy honors degree and a Certificate of Theory in Accounting, Emilia was the first black female partner in any accounting firm in Zimbabwe and the first female president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Zimbabwe.
Additionally, she was selected to represent Zimbabwe in the Fortune /US State Department Global Women’s Mentoring Partnership. All these achievements had prepared Emilia for one of the most discouraging moments of her life and instead of feeling sorry for herself for the loss she encountered because of the fire, she pressed on with her career.
Those in the corporate sector noticed her hard work and ability to get the job done, paving the way for her to climb up the ladder. In 2015, Emilia was appointed Group Chief Financial Officer of Econet Wireless after displaying effective leadership and financial skills. From November 2018 to February 2021, Emilia worked for Cassava Smartech Zimbabwe as Group Finance Director.
She continued to excel in her duties as a leader in the company’s financial unit. Emilia, who currently serves as a non-executive director of NMB Bank Limited, added another feather to her cap in April 2024 when she was appointed an independent non-executive director at mining giant Zimplats.
Unlike those who may choose to give up on life after encountering challenges, Emilia’s star keeps shinning and eclipsing the sad incident that saw her losing her shop to that raging fire.
Posting on her LinkedIn account, Emilia points out she is a firm believer in collaborating with others to achieve set goals.
“I believe in the coming together of different skills, personalities and mindsets for the advancement of an idea, as opposed to different minds being forced into one way of doing things thereby killing creativity!
I take pride in utilizing my skills for the empowerment of those around me both formally and informally, with a specific focus on the girl child.”
She adds that businesspeople that communicate with each other are more likely to succeed in their endeavours.
“I believe strongly in networking for business development. Significant business deals are bone out of genuine business relationships that can only come from meaningful networking.”
Emilia will be part of the speakers at the GoGetter Movement’s annual conference to be held on 6 December at the Newlands Country Club. The conference will be held under the theme “Still…I Rise and Thrive” and will also feature 18 other renowned speakers who will use the platform to motivate and encourage those who will attend to pursue their dreams and succeed.
Emilia is very excited about the prospect of using the conference as a platform to help others to overcome their challenges. There is no doubt that among the other speakers, Emilia is very well placed to advise those who might be facing seemingly insurmountable odds in their lives.
Explaining how she was able to conquer her own mountains and climb so high on the corporate ladder will definitely shine a light on someone who might be considering quitting on their dreams.
“Looking forward to be part of the GoGetter Movement’s annual conference under the theme “Still…I Rise and Thrive!” Nothing and no-one deserves a crown for having kept you down. It is all in your hands and mind.”
Emilia Chisango’s story of managing to rise from the ashes and excelling beyond everyone’s exceptions resembles a script from a movie. She is a hero who should be celebrated for her refusal to wallow in self pity as well as her determination to regain what she had lost and chart a path that can be followed by other women who aim to reach her status.
Emilia has shown that the mind is a powerful catalyst for positive change and positive outcomes.