March 2025

Why Female Guards Are a Smart Choice #Accelerate Action As we celebrate Women’s Month, I am excited to share why female guards are a smart choice as my mission is to support women. Traditionally, the security industry has been male-dominated, with many assuming that male guards are more capable. However, this stereotype is not only outdated but also misguided. As founder of SECURICO, despite initial challenges as a woman in a male-dominated sector, we have changed the narrative in the industry. Today, SECURICO employs over 4,200 staff, including 900 women, making us the largest employer of women in Zimbabwe outside government. Our efforts have helped in the inclusion of women in the industry from less than 1% in 1998 to over 25% today. From SECURICO’s 26-year journey and feedback from the market, we have found that female guards are often reliable, trustworthy, and effective in executing their duties. They are less likely to be involved in misconduct or dishonesty, and they tend to be more attentive, detail-oriented, and vigilant, detecting potential security threats and preventing incidents. They are often more empathetic and better communicators, able to reduce tense situations and provide exceptional customer service. Moreover, female guards are less likely to engage in aggressive behaviour, reducing the risk of conflicts and improving overall safety.  They are also more likely to be team players, working collaboratively with colleagues to ensure seamless security operations. It’s time to rethink our assumptions about security personnel and recognize the value that female guards can bring, by tapping into their potential, we can create a more diverse, and reliable security offering.  

Divine Ndhlukula is a powerhouse in Zimbabwe’s business landscape, best known as the founder and managing director of Securico Security Services. Breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry, she has built one of the most successful security firms in Zimbabwe, proving that determination and vision can transform an industry. Her story is one of resilience, innovation, and leadership. Early Life & Background Born and raised in rural Zimbabwe, Divine Ndhlukula’s journey to success was shaped by a strong work ethic and ambition. She pursued higher education at the University of Zimbabwe, earning an MBA. Before venturing into entrepreneurship, she worked in various sectors, including finance and insurance, gaining experience that would later be instrumental in running her own business. Career Journey & Achievements In 1998, Ndhlukula founded Securico Security Services with just five employees and limited capital. At the time, the security industry was male-dominated, and the idea of a woman leading a security firm was almost unheard of. However, through sheer perseverance, strategic thinking, and high standards of service, she grew the company into Zimbabwe’s leading security provider. Today, Securico employs thousands of people, with a significant number being women—an achievement that has also advanced gender equality in the industry. Her work has earned her numerous accolades, including recognition by Forbes as one of Africa’s most successful women entrepreneurs. She has also received the prestigious Legatum Africa Awards and been listed among the most influential women in business. Impact & Influence Beyond business success, Ndhlukula has played a pivotal role in mentoring young entrepreneurs and advocating for women’s empowerment in the corporate world. Through various mentorship programs, she encourages aspiring business leaders to embrace resilience and innovation. Her contributions extend to philanthropy, where she supports community development initiatives and women’s financial independence. Personal Insights & Advice Divine Ndhlukula believes that success comes from discipline, hard work, and the ability to innovate in changing environments. She often emphasizes that women should not be limited by societal expectations but should instead create their own opportunities. Her advice to young entrepreneurs is to be bold, persistent, and committed to excellence in their chosen fields. Divine Ndhlukula’s story is a testament to the power of vision and perseverance. From humble beginnings to leading a top security firm, she has paved the way for many women in business. As we celebrate Women’s Month, her journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs and changemakers. Source: afrluencer.com

Located in Featherstone, 120km outside the country’s capital Harare, Zvikomborero Farms, started as a beef and grain production, but later diversified to cattle rearing (including goats), tobacco farming, poultry, horticulture, and selling eggs when Dr Divine bought it. Over time Zvikomborero Farms has grown to directly employ 29 people with many of their employees being women. The agribusiness enterprise has become a centre of farming excellence importing skills and knowledge to many aspiring goat farmers in Zimbabwe and using existing technologies, such as WhatsApp, to train women farmers on effective livestock production methods for a wider reach. Dr Divine attributes both hers, and her company’s success to hard work, resilience and support from AECF, who recognised that the business was positively impacting the livestock value chain and supported the business in scaling operations, introducing the pure breed drought-resistant cattle and the pure breeds of the Tuli, Mashona cattle, Boer and Matabele goats. “AECF funding was a game-changer, we would not have been able to breed at the level we are at now. We needed foreign currency to secure imported goats from South Africa and Namibia because in Zimbabwe there weren’t any of those breed” – Dr Divine Ndhlukula, Owner Zvikomborero Farms Source: Zvikomborero Farms – AECF