Women's University in Africa

Beyond the Price Tag: The Power of Sustainable Branding 💧♻️

Watch Mr Polite Nhokevedzo, Sustainability Consultant, deliver an insightful presentation on sustainable branding during the student-led "Our Power, Our Planet" campaign. In this video, Mr Nhokevedzo challenges traditional marketing practices that rely heavily on price wars to push products in the market. Instead, he advocates for a profound shift in how organisations define value, emphasising that a brand represents the very soul, reputation, and core values of a company. He urges businesses to move away from conventional mass marketing models and focus on bringing genuine solutions to communities, rather than merely exploiting consumer pain points for profit.

Crucially, Mr Nhokevedzo highlights the necessity of considering a product's entire lifecycle, warning against the environmental contamination caused by improper post-consumer disposal and the deceptive practice of greenwashing. By adopting sustainable operational strategies, such as implementing recycling initiatives that intentionally employ youth and women to collect plastic waste, companies can embed profound social and economic value into their offerings. Ultimately, he notes that when consumers purchase from a truly sustainable brand, they are no longer just buying a basic commodity; they are actively supporting community employment and aligning with shared ethical values.

The Triple Bottom Line: ZB's Sustainability Journey 🌍🏦

Watch Mr Trymore Muhlanga, Group Strategy Executive at ZB Financial Holdings, deliver an insightful presentation on his organisation's path to sustainable operations. In this video, he highlights how rapid technological changes and AI are disrupting industries, warning that companies failing to adapt risk facing their own "Kodak moment" of extinction.

Mr Muhlanga emphasises that true corporate sustainability must align with Zimbabwe's Vision 2030 to become an upper-middle-income economy, specifically addressing vital local realities like financial inclusion, clean water, and poverty alleviation. He details ZB's strategic shift towards the "Triple Bottom Line"—prioritising People, the Planet, and Profit, rather than just financial gain. Furthermore, he stresses that accessing international correspondent banking and credit lines now requires rigorous ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) compliance and a clear understanding of an organisation's carbon footprint across Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. Ultimately, he reminds us that a successful business must integrate sustainability into its core strategy to genuinely improve people's lives through service.

Moving from Trash to Cash: The Realities of Sustainable Marketing 🌍♻️

Watch Dr. Collins Muzamwese, Chief Sustainability Consultant, deliver a compelling presentation during the student-led "Our Power, Our Planet" campaign at the Women's University in Africa. In this video, Dr. Muzamwese breaks down core concepts, emphasising the transition to a circular economy that effectively turns "trash to cash."

He explores sustainable marketing by urging professionals to integrate genuine environmental benefits into their messaging while strongly warning against the brand-damaging dangers of greenwashing. Sustainability now makes undeniable business sense, and this session perfectly highlights how we are preparing future leaders to champion true environmental and economic equity!

The Gender and Diversity Centre successfully conducted a Detergent Making Training Workshop in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development. The training targeted staff from the Department of Human Resources and Administration as well as the Estates and Works Department, in line with the University’s commitment to staff empowerment and inclusive capacity development.

The workshop commenced on 3 June, introducing participants to both the theoretical foundations and practical processes involved in detergent production. It concluded on 4 June with hands-on sessions focusing on packaging, branding, and final product presentation, ensuring that participants acquired end-to-end knowledge of the production cycle.

This initiative forms part of the University’s broader strategy to enhance practical skills development and promote innovation among staff. At an individual level, the training equips participants with valuable entrepreneurial skills that can be utilized for income generation, self-employment, and household economic support. Such skills contribute to financial resilience and empower staff beyond their formal roles within the institution.

At an institutional level, the programme supports the University’s vision of fostering innovation, industrial relevance, and community engagement. By equipping staff with production skills, the University has the potential to leverage internally produced goods, reduce procurement costs, and even explore small-scale commercial ventures that can contribute to institutional sustainability.

The Gender and Diversity Centre acknowledges and appreciates the unwavering support and visionary leadership of the Vice Chancellor, Prof S D Chingarande, whose commitment to staff development and empowerment continues to drive such impactful initiatives. This training reflects the University leadership’s dedication to creating an enabling environment where staff can acquire practical skills that enhance both personal growth and institutional development.

Food for Life Festival: Calling Young Women to the Land that Feeds our Nation

Women's University in Africa (WUA) participated in the Food for Life Festival held on the 30th of May, 2026, where students and staff showcased initiatives that highlight the vital role of youth and women in Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector.

Although agriculture remains one of Zimbabwe’s largest industries, the sector’s workforce is disproportionately older. Many producers and farm managers are on average above the age of 55, while the majority of Zimbabwe’s population is under 35. Without a concerted effort to engage younger people, Zimbabwe risks a generational gap in skills, innovation, and leadership in one of its most important economic sectors.

At the Food for Life Festival, WUA students presented projects and demonstrations that illustrate how young women can drive transformation across the agricultural value chain. By equipping students with both technical skills and business acumen, WUA aims to create pathways for graduates to enter farming, agribusiness, extension services, and agri-tech ventures.

For further information about our agribusiness programmes, student projects, or partnership opportunities, please visit our website at www.wua.ac.zw

Women's University in Africa Chancellor's Golf Tournament ⛳

The Women's University in Africa cordially invites your organisation to partner with us for the 2026 Chancellor's Fundraiser Golf Tournament. Under our theme, "Empowering Women, Energizing Tomorrow," this event is an excellent opportunity to network, enjoy a great day of golf, and invest in the future of education.

🗓️ Date: Friday 10 July, 2026
📍 Venue: The Country Club (Newlands)

We have tailored sponsorship packages available, from Silver to Diamond, offering exhibition space, networking opportunities, and brand visibility while supporting a worthy cause.

🔗 Register your organization or team today: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/nAhrpbynKQ

📞 For sponsorship inquiries, please contact Ms. B Tsverukai (+263 77 288 7791) or Ms. A N Parafin (0772977359).