Thirty women who have made outstanding contributions to Zimbabwe’s construction industry were recognised in Harare during an awards ceremony hosted by the Zimbabwe Building Contractors Association (ZBCA). The event, which brought together senior government officials, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs, celebrated women who have excelled in a sector historically dominated by men since the association’s founding in 1985.
Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Monica Mutsvangwa, used the platform to call on financial institutions to extend greater support to women entrepreneurs. “I urge financial institutions to support women-driven initiatives. It is essential that we continue to design customised financial solutions, build robust support systems, and introduce targeted incentives that empower women entrepreneurs to grow,” she said.
The Minister also commended the establishment of the Women’s Desk within ZBCA, describing it as a progressive step toward inclusivity. “This initiative is, in itself, an acknowledgement that a diverse workforce drives innovation and efficiency,” she noted.
Deputy Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities, Musa Ncube, stressed the strategic importance of the construction sector to Zimbabwe’s development. “Construction is more than just an industry, it is a broad ecosystem that encompasses various trades and plays a critical role in job creation. In our context, the sector holds immense potential to reduce unemployment and improve living standards through the delivery of decent housing,” she said.
Ncube also highlighted the government’s collaboration with ZBCA and other stakeholders in delivering one million housing units by 2025 under the National Development Strategy. Referring to the event’s theme, Embrace Change, Cultivate Growth, and Transform, she reaffirmed government’s commitment to elevating women’s role in national development.
ZBCA Chief Executive Officer, Joyline Zindaga, described the ceremony as a recognition of women’s resilience and determination in reshaping the industry. “We are here to celebrate the strength, resilience, and brilliance of women who are transforming the construction industry brick by brick, plan by plan, and project by project. As we embark on this journey together, I encourage you to be bold, take risks, and support one another. For generations, construction was seen as a man’s world, but that world is evolving,” she said.
ZBCA Southern Region Chairperson, Sithabile Sibanda, praised the achievements of the honourees, noting that their work continues to raise the profile of women contractors nationwide. “We lobby for the rights of contractors, both female and male, but today, we have chosen to honour the women who have made us proud—the women who continue to do exceptional work,” she said.
The awards underscored the progress Zimbabwe is making in diversifying its workforce and promoting gender equality in construction. By recognising excellence, the ZBCA aims to inspire more women to join the sector, contribute to economic growth, and play a role in shaping the country’s infrastructure development.
