The Sunday Mail
What you need to know about Dr Hespina Rukato chairperson of Great Dyke Investments (GDI) which is set to start platinum mining operations in the Darwendale area by mid-year. Dr Rukato recently accompanied president Emmerson Mnangagwa on his trip to Russia where a $300 million deal to fund the GDI platinum mining operations was struck. It might also be interesting to know that she and her daughter,Celia Rukato, are the brains behind the scarf worn by President Mnangagwa
What is your philosophy about Life?
Life is short and you only live once. Make it count.
What motivates you in life?
The fact that anything is possible, so long there is a will. The vision that tomorrow can be better than yesterday. Every “today” becomes the action building day for a better tomorrow.
What principles do you value most in running a business?
Integrity, honesty, teamwork, responsibility and accountability-mostly to self.
What is your attitude towards money?
Money is a means to an end, and not the end in itself. My end is self-actualisation, community empowerment, and country/continent actualisation. It is just a tool. I grew up in an environment where having “money” became synonymous with creating wealth. Many people focussed on creating money at all costs.
The money then became a means to subjugate other societies, and not having it meant that the moneyless are lesser people. This in spite of the other forms of wealth they may have.
So, is money denoting wealth? I think that we should inculcate a culture of wealth creation amongst young people, so that this can pave the way for them to compete more fairly with the rest of the world. Wealth creation should be uppermost, instead of job seeking.
What would you say was your biggest challenge in life and how did you overcome it?
Some challenges in life are never truly overcome, but just managed. The first one was multitasking: being a wife, mother, worker, and student in a competitive environment. This was especially difficult because I was a young mother. Another was learning about people, institutional and political dynamics. The fact that one is qualified for a job does not necessarily mean a job/opportunity is meant for you. Finally, learning to understand that when things do not go your way it may actually be a guidance to a better path.
What would be your key message to Zimbabweans at this time?
We need to define who we are and who we are in this globalised world. We need to define our core values, vision as a people. What will differentiate a Zimbabwean from any other citizen, how will people know from your behaviour that you are Zimbabwean? We need to build our pride and confidence as a people. This means holding your neighbour’s hand, community’s hand and saying “We are here.” We also need to work on self-love and appreciation at individual, community and national level.
