The Sunday Mail
Tawanda Musarurwa
Senior Business Reporter
Be your own boss; determine your earnings; work when you feel you like it; create employment for others. . .These are just some of the phrases which show how entrepreneurship is so often romanticised.
Perhaps it’s true. But there is also a lot that goes into being an entrepreneur.
“My average day is like a machine, that’s the best way I can describe it. Little to no downtime with maximum efficiency for both life and work balance, being a business owner and father. My early mornings are always spent reviewing our opportunities, deciding between those we will move forward with, and those we will pass on,” says Dr Tinashe Manzungu.
“I will sit in meetings, help troubleshoot areas of concern for the firm, or researching new opportunities for growth. I usually stay late at work, which is the time I have found I can be most productive on creative or vision-oriented tasks. I wind the day by having quality time with family.”
And the hard work has been bearing fruit.
Recently recognised among Zimbabwe’s ‘Top 40, Under 40 entrepreneurs by the Institute of Corporate Directors, Dr Manzungu is a business magnate who has pioneered TM Group into a diversified investment portfolio.
Companies that fall under TM Group include Zimbabwe General Medical Aid Fund, Zimbuild Property Investments, NetComs, Prime Mutual Properties, Tinrue Finance and Africa Haven Funeral Services among others.
He never shys away from talking about his humble beginnings.
“I come from a strong Christian background which has contributed much to who I am. Being the eldest boy in the family it has helped me to take up responsibility at an early age. I did not grow up in the midst of privilege. But in many ways, I learnt that education is the great equaliser. I looked for inspiration and purpose, and saw education as a route to change my circumstances,” he says.
Born 34 years ago in the mining town of Kwekwe in the Midlands, Dr Manzungu never thought much of a white-collar job.
“I had an internal desire to be an employer than an employee. So after completing my degree I got employed for a few months and the entrepreneurial bug kept gnawing me.
“My knowledge prompted me to start a construction company which I had confidence that it will flourish. Capital was necessary to loop in for starting the company. So I came up with a strategy to align with a partner and the rest was history,” he explains.
“My motive has been to see a better world by finding solution to people’s problems. Helping people connect the dots between their assets and their visions for the world in which they want to live is what keeps me energised and excited to grow the field of impact investing.
“As an entrepreneur I have had the wonderful opportunity to turn my passions into profits, while still helping people. The freedom to pursue my dreams and make a difference has made the juice well worth the squeeze.” A firm believer in the equalising power of education, Dr Manzungu is a holder of a Doctorate in Business Leadership (DBL) from the International Women’s University (IWU).
He also holds a Masters of Science in Business Leadership (MBL) from the International Women’s University (IWU).
He also holds an Honours Degree in Geography and Environmental Science (HonGES) from the Midlands State University (MSU). Furthermore, he is a Master of Business Administration (MANCOSSA UNIVERSITY) S.A Candidate.
Notwithstanding all his skills and acquired knowledge, Dr Manzungu appreciates that he could not have done it alone.
“I have learnt that the only way to build a company with great success and scale is to build a great team. We have a young and energetic team that work so well toward a common vision and goals,” he says.
His substantial experience and expertise continue to be recognised as he has been appointed to seat on the following various boards: ZNCC Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (President), MSU Midlands State University (Council member), ZBCA Zimbabwe Building Contractors Association (Junior Vice President), ZIMCARE TRUST (Committee Member), CCC Crime Consultative Committee (Committee Member) and GAAYED Global Appeal for Accelerated Youth Empowerment and Development (Founding Appellant.
He has received numerous accolades including MEGAFEST Business Award Top 20 Outstanding Man In Business 2019 and MEGAFEST Business Awards Businessman Of The Year.
So maybe, just maybe, there is something idyllic about entrepreneurship after all.
