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Divine Ndlukula: A female pioneer in the private security service business in Zimbabwe

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The security services market is ever growing in Zimbabwe as a result of a number of factors which include higher crime rates, economic instability, government support towards security companies, growing middle classes in need of safeguarding their assets, heightened activity in cybercrime and increased partnerships in the security business. According to statistics, the industry is expected to have an annual growth rate of approximately 15.98% by 2029 resulting in a market value of about $9 million+.

Economic instability has manifested in the form of highly sophisticated armed robberies which were very scarce back in the day and there has been a rise in the rate at which Zimbabwe entrepreneurs are engaging foreign investors to attract funding and strong connections hence the need to engage advanced security systems and services for protection of their assets. Some of the prestigious security companies in Zimbabwe include; Safeguard, Benevolent. Black Shark, Peace security, AGS and Fawcett among others.

 The security business is often dominated by men which has created barriers for women in terms of career advancement and gender stereotypes. However, the boost in demand for private security services in the country has seen female entrepreneurs rising and venturing into this male dominated sector and thriving while confronting significant stereotype obstacles. This is the case for Divine Ndhlukula, a well-established and competent female Zimbabwean entrepreneur.

Divine Ndhlukula is the owner of SECURICO, a renowned security services company in Zimbabwe. The company offers significant security solutions to corporate firms, residential premises and other major potential stakeholders which include; guarding services, cash management, advanced electronic security systems in the form of state of the art CCTV and alarm systems and rapid response teams among other value added services. To date the company employs thousands of individuals inclusive of management team, guards, drivers, dog trainers to mention a few. The company also offers free security advices and consultation services on its website.

Characterised by advanced and latest technology in its security system packages, Divine Ndhukula’s company has managed to scoop multiple awards and is recognised regionally as an excellent business enterprise and some of these awards include the 2011 African Awards for Entrepreneurship as grand winners, it was also awarded a service excellence award and recognised as one of the top ten employer businesses in Zimbabwe.

Driven by her passion, resilience and self-confidence, Divine Ndhlukula invested in and founded Securico security services in 1998.The company has been successfully operational for 25 years.

Education and Background Overview         

The much celebrated businesswoman and philanthropist acquired her first degree in Accountancy and went on to acquire her master’s degrees in Business Adminstration from Midlands States University and finally completed her PhD with the Women’s University in Harare. She possesses skills in management, consulting, entrepreneurship, marketing and agro operation to mention a few.

After being employed by a local insurance company in the 90s, she saved enough money and bought and 8-ton truck that she rented out. Divine eventually lost the truck after selling it to secure his father’s plot which had been put up for auction by the bank. She ventured into the farming business but faced multiple challenges during that venture some natural.

In 1998 she launched SECURICO in a cottage behind her Harare home beginning with only four employees. To date, the company has grown in capacity to employ over 3000 people.

Awards and Recognitions

Under her management, Securico has been awarded multiple excellence awards and personally, Divine Ndlukula’s participation in women entrepreneurship has been locally and regionally celebrated through her multiple awards.Some of these awards include; the  Empretec Entrepreneur of the Year 2001, Institute of Directors Zimbabwe Director of the Year (SMEs) 2008, Woman Investor of the Year by Zimbabwe Investment Authority 2013, African Woman of the Year 2013 African Achievers Awards,  UNCTAD/Empretec Top Ten Global Women in Business 2014 among other notable awards.

To continuously prove to herself and the world that success has no age limit, she managed to get on the Forbes over 50 list of the most successful women in the whole of Africa.

Expanding to diverse business ventures

Dr Ndhlukula is also a knowledgeable farmer with a strong farming background. She often admits she got into farming by default, having acquired her father’s land at an early age. Currently, Dr Divine is the owner of Zvikomborero farms located in Featherstone, Chikomba District of Zimbabwe.

The farm specialises in commercial livestock production, horticulture and egg production although the main activity is goat production. She has built a lasting reputation on her goat and cattle cross breeding scheme. The farm also offers courses studies in goat production and stockmanship. Dr Ndhlukula’s farm also hosts seminars which are targeted at connecting and exchanging of knowledge between farm owners, directors and other stakeholders. Her massive agriculture adventure has continuously played a huge part in ensuring food security in the country and job creation.

Zvikomborero farms scooped a prestigious award, a grand champion award after emerging as the overall winner in the livestock sector at the at the Harare Agricultural Show this year.

Recently, she admirably flaunted on her X account, formerly twitter, how they have just finished constructing a dam as part of their plans to curb the ongoing drought crisis in the country and avoid losses in their farming activities at Zvikomborero farms and how they have named the dam after a devoted worker at the farm. This gesture has shown how Dr Ndhlukula’s projects are not just about herself and her success but equally giving other people priority and sense of belonging.

“We’ve completed the Tawanda Dam expansion at Zvikomborero Farms, our 6th dam! Named in honour of Tawanda Muzambezi, a long-serving employee whose dedication and resilience inspire us. It’s not just about water but our people too”, she wrote.

Additionally, to her successful Agriculture adventures, Dr Ndhlukula is also a celebrated author with several awards to show for her writing skills. One of her successful masterpieces is titled, “Entrepreneurial Success” and part of the book speaks on her personal experiences and challenges she has faced as a female entrepreneur in male dominated sectors.

“Being a woman is hard”, moreover a businesswoman dealing with men. This has been my life journey but i have not shyed off from pursuing the “manly dominated fields”. Rather the discouragements i got along the way propelled my zeal to even go further than intended. I am proud to be an associate and contribute positively in a world filled with negativity”, Divine wrote in her book.

Despite being a widow and with many personal and professional responsibilities, she has shown resilience through hard work and determination to navigate the daily activities of both her businesses and in face of increased security demands she has built SECURICO to become the most sought out business in the security industry and she remains one of the largest women employer outside civil service in Zimbabwe as she continues on her path to empower women. She has maneuvered her security company to success by also staying up to date with the evolving tech industry

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