Born and raised in Zambia, Ndekazi Zimba’s journey into entrepreneurship is a testament to resilience, passion and strategic vision. Her story begins in her early years, shaped by her educational background and the challenging economic environment she encountered after completing college.
In 2014, shortly after finishing her studies, Ndekazi faced a job market with limited opportunities. Frustrated by countless unsuccessful applications, she made the bold decision to forge her own path rather than wait for opportunities to come knocking.
“My entrepreneurial journey began in 2014, shortly after I completed college,” she recalls. “At the time, job opportunities in Zambia were scarce. After sending out countless job applications with no success, I decided to take a different path and chose to create my own opportunities.”
Starting small, Ndekazi began organizing event experiences for friends and acquaintances within her network. What started as humble gatherings gradually transformed into a full-fledged business.
Her early efforts were driven by a desire to deliver something distinctive, something that would stand out in a crowded marketplace.
“I started small, organizing event experiences for a few people within my network. What began as a modest initiative gradually grew, shaped by passion, resilience and the desire to offer something unique,” she explains.
Over time, her persistence and innovative approach nurtured Goldlink Experience, a company now recognized for its excellence in event management and marketing solutions.
Inspiration and Market Gaps
Ndekazi’s decision to establish her company was fueled by her keen observation of the local events industry. She recognized that many events in Zambia lacked structure, creativity and strategic marketing impact.
“I noticed a gap in the market. Many events lacked creativity, structure, and strategic marketing impact,” she says.
This realization inspired her to develop a business model that would go beyond mere event planning. She envisioned her company as a bridge between event execution and impactful brand storytelling.
Her goal was to use events as marketing tools that could foster brand visibility, customer engagement and business growth.
“There was a real opportunity to not only plan and manage events but to use them as powerful marketing tools that drive brand visibility, customer engagement and business growth,” she notes.
This vision remains at the core of Goldlink Experience, which aims to deliver not just events but memorable brand experiences.
Evolving Business Landscape and Strategies
Since launching her business, Ndekazi has witnessed significant transformations in the Zambian and regional markets. The industry has shifted towards digital integration, experiential marketing and data-driven strategies.
“Since I started the business in 2014, the Zambian business landscape, particularly in events and marketing, has evolved significantly,” she observes.
“There’s been a noticeable shift towards digital integration, data-driven marketing and more experiential, interactive events.”
To stay competitive, her company has adopted innovative practices, blending traditional event management with digital tools such as social media, influencer marketing and real-time audience engagement.
“We leverage social media, influencer marketing, and real-time audience engagement tools to amplify event impact,” she shares.
Her approach involves continuous learning, attending industry expos, keeping abreast of global trends and cultivating a team that is agile and creative.
Her emphasis on listening carefully to client needs allows her to adapt swiftly to market changes.
“Most importantly, we stay close to our clients’ needs. By listening carefully and remaining flexible, we’re able to adapt quickly and offer relevant, forward-thinking solutions,” she affirms.
This flexibility has been crucial in maintaining relevance amid rapid technological advancements and changing consumer expectations.
Overcoming Challenges
Every entrepreneur faces obstacles, and Ndekazi’s journey is no different. She highlights the challenge of starting with limited resources and industry connections.
“One of the most significant challenges I faced was starting with very limited resources financially and in terms of industry connections,” she admits.
In her early days, she wore many hats that saw her handling everything from planning to cleaning after events. Low turnout and tight budgets tested her resilience, but she persisted.
Building trust was another hurdle, especially in a competitive and sometimes informal industry.
“Many clients were hesitant to work with a young, relatively unknown company,” she recalls. Her dedication to reliability and quality gradually earned her credibility.
These hurdles taught her invaluable lessons: “These experiences taught me the importance of resilience, consistency, and maintaining a long-term vision.”
Each obstacle became a stepping stone for growth, shaping her into a leader who values purpose, creativity and excellence.
Regional Impact
Ndekazi’s entrepreneurial strategies have yielded impressive results, particularly in cross-border projects. One of her standout successes was the launch of Airtel 5G in Zambia and Tanzania. Managing such a high-profile, multi-country event required meticulous coordination and local market understanding.
“Managing the Airtel 5G launch across Zambia and Tanzania was a testament to our ability to deliver quality and consistency,” she says.
Her company has also worked with major brands like Parmalat, Sanlam Insurance and Pernod Ricard, executing experiential marketing campaigns that have significantly boosted brand visibility and consumer engagement.
Her regional expansion efforts are evident through her Malawi operations, which have opened doors for further growth across Africa.
“We have successfully launched new brands through our Malawi office,” she notes. Her vision is to build a robust presence across the continent, helping African brands connect with their audiences in meaningful ways. These achievements underscore her commitment to elevating African brands and fostering regional business growth.
Beyond Event Management
Apart from her core business, Ndekazi is involved in other ventures that showcase her versatility. She is an active participant in the car rental industry, a sector she entered through her relationships with clients.
Her work with Impala Car Rental Zimbabwe led to her becoming a shareholder in their Zambian operations.
“Despite car rental being a completely new industry for me, I approached their campaigns with the same passion and dedication I bring to every project,” she explains.
This venture has reinforced her belief in the importance of building strong relationships and remaining open to new opportunities.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Ndekazi’s journey offers valuable insights for small businesses and women entrepreneurs. Her advice is to start with what you have and let passion guide you. She emphasizes the importance of reliability, creativity and building a reputation through excellence.
“Start with what you have and let your passion lead the way,” she urges. For women in business, she shares her experience of being mentored by resilient women like Dr. Sharon Kapambwe and Madam Charity Lumpa, whose positive energy and leadership she admires.
She encourages emerging entrepreneurs to seek mentorship, build networks and believe in their unique voices. “There’s space for women in leadership and strategy,” she affirms.
Her message is that perseverance, continuous learning and authenticity are key to succeeding in any industry.
Embracing Innovation and Future Projects
Ndekazi is excited about technological innovations transforming her field. She highlights the potential of virtual and augmented reality, data analytics and AI-driven insights to create immersive, targeted experiences.
“The integration of digital technologies and experiential marketing is revolutionizing how brands engage with audiences,” she states.
Her company is actively planning regional expansions and high-profile brand activations that combine digital and live elements. These initiatives aim to deepen brand connections and expand her footprint across Africa.
Reflection and Leadership
Reflecting on her entrepreneurial journey, Ndekazi underscores the importance of resilience and adaptability.
“Setbacks are inevitable, but they don’t define you,” she emphasizes. Her leadership philosophy revolves around embracing challenges as growth opportunities, fostering agility within her team and leading with empathy and purpose.
She advocates for a leadership style rooted in strong relationships, clear communication and inspiring confidence among her staff. Her experience demonstrates that true success lies in staying true to your vision, continually evolving and leading with integrity.
Ndekazi Zimba’s story is a powerful narrative of determination, innovation and regional impact. From humble beginnings to becoming a regional leader in event management and marketing, her journey exemplifies how passion, resilience and strategic thinking can transform challenges into opportunities.
As she continues to expand her influence across Africa, her story inspires countless aspiring entrepreneurs, especially women, who dare to dream and work tirelessly to turn those dreams into reality.
