Women aspiring to leadership positions have been urged to lead with vision, empathy and purpose, at the inaugural Empowering Women To Leadership Positions Symposium hosted jointly by the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) and Midlands State University (MSU) Graduate Schools of Business in Bulawayo on Friday, 11 July.
The half-day event, held at the NUST Council Chamber, brought together women from across the country representing academia, business, legal, government, among other sectors. Discussions centered on mentorship, leadership values, and building networks across disciplines.
Delivering the keynote address, NUST Chairperson of Council Prof. Lindiwe Majele Sibanda encouraged participants to embrace purposeful leadership built on authenticity and compassion. “It’s time we led with heart,” she said “Leave the door open for other women to walk through by doing a great job in that leadership role” she added.
Mrs S Ndlovu, Group Marketing Director at Treger Products, emphasized the need for women leaders to uplift others. “Leave the ladder in place for others,” she said, highlighting the importance of enabling others to rise and succeed.
MSU’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Industrialisation, Prof Grace Mugumbate focused on the role of vision in driving effective leadership stating that without a vision it was easy to lose focus and direction. Odiline Kava, Lead Consultant at Vakoma Business World, concluded the program with insights on personal leadership branding. She urged participants to clearly define the kind of leader they are and to build a brand that earns respect and credibility. “Make sure you leave a positive mark where ever you go” she said.
Prof. G. Nani, Co-organiser and Director of the NUST GSBS said, “The Symposium has been a huge success taking into cognisance that it's the first of its kind. It was insightful, inspirational, and informative, enlightening. It's the beginning of better things to come. It has been a great opportunity for NUST to be visible in the upliftment of women into leadership.”
“The symposium on empowering women to leadership positions was a resounding success, featuring engaging discussions and inspiring speakers who left a lasting impact on attendees. The event provided a valuable platform for women to learn, network, and get motivated, with many likely to excel in their leadership journeys.” Said Dr M. Mugwati, co-organiser and Executive Dean at the MSU’s faculty of Business Sciences.
This event marks yet another collaborative platform for women leaders in different fields, with future plans to foster cross-networking and mentorship initiatives nationwide. The symposium is expected to lay the foundation for broader efforts aimed at empowering women to take up leadership roles in Zimbabwe’s development sectors.
