The Sunday Mail
Enacy Mapakame
Business Reporter
In the corporate world — communication and public relations to be specific — she is a lioness who commands authority with innumerable accolades for her sterling work.
Outside that, she is a warm-hearted individual, full of compassion and strong Christian values.
This, in a nutshell sums up Marjorie Mutemererwa, the group head of public relations and communications at Seed Co Limited.
Recently, she was listed as one of the 50 most inspirational women in Zimbabwe by the Institute of Corporate Directors in Zimbabwe in conjunction with Women Corporate Directors Network.
Born in Hwedza as the second child in a family of seven and the eldest girl, she became a “deputy parent” at an early age making her responsible and taking on leadership roles and nurturing her siblings.
Learning by observation
Being a holder of a BA in English and Communication and a Master in Leadership and Management, coupled with several other diplomas in Public Relations, Ms Mutenererwa holds that education is the means to emancipation for both boys and girls.
For her, education is a never-ending process that does not happen only in the classroom set up but also by observing life experiences as well as from others in similar situations.
“Education is key, I cannot over-emphasise this. You learn not just by going to school but by observing. And as women we have to work harder than our male counterparts,” she said by telephone.
Coming from a family with educated parents, it was not difficult to inculcate such values about education in her, which also influences her views to date. Despite making it in the corporate world, Ms Mutemererwa is not done yet.
“Now that the world is becoming virtual, there is a lot to learn to adapt to this new normal and women should also take advantage of this to learn new things. You can never say you have arrived, learn something new.”
Consistence and persistence
Outside academic and professional qualifications, Ms Mutemererwa believes consistency and persistence are the key qualities of a good leader.
“Consistency makes people rely and depend on you. If you are consistent, they can trust, acknowledge and recognise you. What you said 10 or 20 years ago must resonate with what you do today. And it’s never too late to be consistent as each second is a new page.
“Be persistent, but do not make loud noises, the world will notice you without making noise.”
She also says being compassionate also adds to the good qualities to leadership, especially as a female leader.
“Women leaders are said to be very hard and unwelcoming, but as a Christian, the Holy Spirit rebukes and make you compassionate.
Making it in the boardrooms
Although Zimbabwe has made strides towards emancipating women in leadership positions from Government to corporate world, more still needs to be done. Ms Mutemererwa acknowledges women have what it takes to be leaders and be heard in boardrooms.
She holds that for a leader, it is important to show up, listen, go out and execute and report back with results.
“If you don’t report back the positive results, the world will think you are not doing anything. When you don’t get things right, always ask for help, go back to the drawing board so that you get it right.
“Don’t cut corners, there are no shortcuts, but always be vigilant and know the seasons as well,” she said.
Ms Mutemererwa added that confidence and being bold also adds to what it takes to be in leadership, especially for women taking on male dominated territories.
Her parents inculcated confidence in her from an early age, a quality she has held all her life from primary education to secondary until she made it into the corporate world.
Sister’s keeper
While the road to success may not be easy for women, Ms Mutemererwa maintains women can lean on each other, and provide mentorship for young girls.
Networking as women also becomes key to allow for sharing of ideas and life skills necessary in the corporate world as well as at personal level.
“Like I said, you also learn by observing. As women, we learn from each other, and it doesn’t mean you learn from those above you or within your age group only, but from those younger than you as well.
“Everyone has something to learn from. I have quite a number of sisters I turn to who cheer me up and together, we come up with a winning strategy,” she said.
Arise and shine
While life cannot be rosy all the time with challenges both in the corporate world and personal level, Ms Mutemererwa believes there is always room to rise again and shine.
Her personal experience, the loss of her only child was a blow to her but further influenced her philanthropic work.
Isaiah 60:1 is one biblical verse that makes her keep her head high.
“It was not easy but taught me that I can extend a hand to every other child. As a Christian, the Holy Spirit helps you deal with difficult situations.
“Above all, sing aloud when you are in the valley, when tragedy strikes, sing in those low moments and someone will hear you, they will eventually come down to pick you up and take you to the mountain top where you belong.”
