The Sunday Mail
Business Reporter
Dubai-based Zimbabwean entrepreneur, Yvonne Mtengwa, is basking in glory after having been named one of the Global Top 100 Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) Under-40 in a ceremony that was held in New York City recently.
MIPAD prides itself as being driven by the support of the International Decade for People of African Descent, proclaimed by United Nation’s General Assembly resolution 68/237.
It identifies high achievers of African descent in public and private sectors from all around the world as a progressive network of relevant actors to join together in the spirit of recognition, justice and development of Africa, it’s people on the continent and in the Diaspora.
Yvonne was named in the 2020 edition in the media and culture category in a cast that has influential personalities like Nigerian artiste Burna Boy, American travel entrepreneur Cherae Robinson, South African Master KG after his song “Jerusalema” took the world by storm.
On this year’s list is another South African and Miss Universe pageant winner — Zozibini Tunzi.
Mtengwa, an international speaker and Amazon best-selling author, has been spearheading efforts to redraft the African narrative through her work in the media entrepreneurship and public relations.
Mtengwa is a founder and managing director for Narratives PR, a Dubai-based boutique communications consultancy that specialises in brand development and public relations for pan-Africa start-ups and Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Recently she launched Travel Essence Magazine, a digital publication that curates content that showcases the best in Africa’s travel, tourism and lifestyle experiences.
“I think it all starts off with actually believing that you can,” says Mtengwa.
“I left Zimbabwe for Atlanta, Georgia, as a bright-eyed young woman in 2000 with the goal to pursue my bachelor’s degree in business administration. Life’s challenges as a Diasporan living away from loved ones became the impetus for my having to exhaust all I could in order to break glass ceilings.
“It was tough working multiple jobs just to make the rent, especially given how many stereotypes I had to fight as a Zimbabwean and African woman in her 20s living in America. Knowing what I know now, there is a lot I would tell my younger self, but I stand on the fact that every experience — the good, the bad and the shell-shocking, all come together to empower us if we choose to see the value and teaching moments in every experience,” she said.
She returned to Zimbabwe in 2007 where upon she began pursuing a career in hospitality marketing in Victoria Falls, an experience that would not only have her meet the love of her life who too worked in the industry, but collectively, put them on the path towards looking for opportunities for greater exposure regionally and internationally.
Mtengwa now boasts of vast experience as a publicist and communications strategist, with a professional career spanning 15 years across the United States of America, Southern Africa, United Arab Emirates among other markets.
Her brand has been growing internationally to an extent that has seen her leading the PR remit for the world’s leading theme park, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, working on campaigns for Etihad Airways, and being a part of the Abu Dhabi Emirates’ destination marketing strategy for several years.
“I had been freelancing as a consultant helping Pan-African companies and small business with strategies to help them attain milestones in brand visibility while simultaneously navigating an incredibly intense PR scene working in corporate,” said Mtengwa.
“It all began with my love for writing and highlighting a personality or brand’s story. I suppose with time I finally got to a critical decision point where entrepreneurship was seemingly calling me because it allowed me the creative freedom I enjoy with my work.
“I am big on relationships and building brands but not so much a fan of feeling cocooned, which sometimes happens in corporate environments.
“I wanted to tell the African story, hence my choosing the name ‘Narratives PR’ for my business. Interestingly, Covid-19 has brought with it many opportunities as we have all been forced to press the reset button,” she said.
This year alone, she has published a total of 13 authors resident in five countries in an inspirational anthology under her Reinvented Today brand, an inspirational movement that works to encourage women to reinvent themselves across all areas of their lives.
Being recognised in this year’s edition of MIPAD has added a feather in her growing influence.
“Being recognised as one of the 2020 Global Most Influential People of African Descent Under-40 during this year’s MIPAD Recognition Week has really been a blessing as much as it has given me a moment to reflect on my achievements,” reveals Mtengwa.
“I have been able to connect and learn from hundreds of nominees and honourees resident across the world, who are making incredible strides in multiple sectors including Business & Entrepreneurship, Politics & Governance and Media & Culture in which I am an honouree.
“My hope is that from this experience, more people of African descent in the diaspora can see that their efforts count towards such huge causes.
“It is really our time to position ourselves at the tables that are the centre of policy and decision making, and that begins with being able to actively highlight our success stories as a collective,” she said.
