Divine Ndhlukula

She wasn’t a preacher. She was a businesswoman. Lydia sold purple clothluxury goods for the wealthy. But her true color was Kingdom. In Acts 16, when sheheard Paul preach, her heart opened, and so did her home. That home became Europe’sfirst house church. Lydia didn’t wait for a pulpit; she turned her profits into purpose. She reminds us: KingdomExpansion needs Kingdom financiers. Real-World ReflectionDivine Ndhlukula—Zimbabwe’s Security Queen. Starting in a male-dominated field,Divine Ndhlukula built SECURICO into one of Africa’s top security firms. But beyond theprofits, she’s mentored women, funded causes, and built platforms for others to thrive.Like Lydia, Divine proves that women in business can become pillars in both the economyand the Kingdom. Truth to Anchor You “The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.” Acts 16:14 Action SparkYou may be building a business, but is your business also building the Kingdom? Who’sbeing discipled, funded, or empowered because you said “yes” in the marketplace? Prayer Whisper Lord, make my business a base for Kingdom movement. Open my heartfully to Your agenda. Use my platform to advance your purpose across regions. Leaders’ CornerPastor, are you equipping the Lydias among you? Women whose influence,wealth, and networks could host revivals? Don’t just seat them releasethem. Lydia didn’t lead with a mic, but she unlocked a movement with hermarketplace obedience. By: The Marketplace EvangelistWindrose Chifarimba

I have observed the changing landscape of threats faced by businesses and individuals, but an equally dangerous risk is often overlooked: the unwritten security agreement. Unwritten agreements can pose significant risks, leading to misunderstandings, disputes, and financial losses. The Service Level Agreement (SLA) defines the minimum standards for service delivery, ensuring your security needs are satisfied and that you receive value for your investment. Without it, you might encounter difficulties in: To reduce these risks, it is crucial to have a written agreement that specifies the terms, conditions, and expectations of the security services provided. It should include a clear scope of work, payment terms, roles and responsibilities, communication protocols, incident response procedures, set performance standards, and include liability clauses.  In the event of a breach, the absence of a legally binding document can hinder your ability to seek recourse or compensation for damages. It also complicates regulatory compliance, as auditors often require documented proof of security arrangements. Additionally, the SLA should be reviewed regularly to ensure it stays relevant and effective in addressing your changing security requirements. This review process enables adjustments, ensuring you continue to get value from your investment. Do not underestimate the importance of a written agreement – it is a crucial step in protecting your business and assets.

  Lactolife Dairy Premium LtdKenyaFounder/Director: Pauline Njine- MugendiRuiru- Eastern Bypass,Commodity/Service: YoghurtMarkets: Kenyawww.lactolife.co.keMake contactLactolife’s Yoghurt-4-School Program is a social enterprise promoting dairy nutrition in schools by enhancing school menu with dairy options. Program works with school administrations to introduce yoghurt to children between ages 3-14 years.Recruited 15 schools in year one with an outreach of 5,000 children weekly            Zvikomborero Farms (Private) Limited ZimbabweCEO: Divine Ndhlukula Commodity/Service:   Egg production, Zviko Boer and Kalahari Stud goats, School Of Farming ExcellenceMarkets: Africahttp://www.zvikofarms.co.zw Make contactZvikomborero Farms (Private) Limited is an agricultural company with farming operations located 120km South of Harare, in Featherstone, Hampshire Area, in Chivhu District on freehold title land. The Farm was bought by Divine Ndhlukula in 1992 and presently, the business engages in a variety of farming activities including table eggs production. Starting out with just beef and grain production, the farm has diversified its offerings to include other livestock, Tobacco, Poultry and Horticulture. With Mrs Divine Ndhlukula providing the strategic direction, the operations are managed by seasoned agronomists on a day to day basis.The farm offers a diverse range of agricultural products spanning from livestock with the main business being stud and commercial breeding of Tuli and Mashona breeds, stud and commercial breeding of Boer and Kalahari Red goats.  In addition, egg production has become another key enterprise that is expanding.  Egg production has a strategic fit and important to the cattle breeding business as chicken waste is fed to the cattle as supplementary feeding which in turn enhances the farm ecosystem.The Business ObjectivesPosition the Farm as a ‘center of excellence’ for pure breed Mashona and Tuli cattle,  Boer, Kalahari Red  and Indeginous goats;Grow breeding stock significantly for both commercial meat, and  livestock other commercial breeders and deployment to rural areas;In Partnership with development partners and Government Institutions,  the Business shares knowledge and skills by training smallholder farmers and other commercial farmers on animal husbandry and pasture and forage production. Source: Livestock | #VALUE4HERConnect – African Women Agribusiness Platform

I am constantly analysing evolving threats, and one area demanding urgent attention from both businesses and individuals is cash handling. The most immediate danger is becoming an armed robbery target. This is because cash is a quick and easy target, and robbers often look for businesses and individuals they believe will provide a substantial payday. Beyond the threat of confrontation, keeping substantial cash, whether in a business safe or a personal residence, creates an appealing target for internal theft by employees or opportunistic individuals. Additionally, in the event of a fire or other disaster, uninsured cash often becomes irretrievable, resulting in a complete and devastating loss. To mitigate these risks, businesses and individuals can outsource cash handling to private security companies and other institutions through: By considering these options, businesses and individuals can reduce the risk of being targeted by armed robbers, protect themselves against financial loss and emotional trauma, and focus on their core activities, while leaving cash handling and security to the experts.

MASVINGO – In a remarkable recogni tion for workers’ loyalty and dedicated service, SECURICO one of the leading security companies in Zimbabwe has given housing loans to its long serving workers. Traditionally workers in this country get a plough, a hoe or US$100 cash for long service at work. Most companies however, do not recognise their workers’ long service at all. There was heated and emotional debate recently when a leading newspaper company gave nothing to a worker who had served it for 45 continuous years as a driver. Last week Securico employees who served it for 20 years were made eligible for housing loans. The organisation also took time to cel ebrate its silver jubilee, having turned 25 years in the industry in 2023. The organisation confirmed the develop ment in a Press statement to Masvingo Mirror. SECURICO Managing Director and Founder Dr Divine Simbi Ndhlukula made an announcement at the occasion re vealing that all staff members who have served the company for 20 years or more are eligible for the housing loans. Dr Ndhlukula said the initiative is aimed at honouring long serving employees’ unwavering loyalty and dedication to SECURICO’s success. A total of 241 outstanding employees were recognised for their long-standing service with awards presented in 10, 15, 20 and 25 years categories. Dr Ndhlukula said it was the dedication and commitment of workers and years of sacrifice that brought the growth of SECURICO. A visibly emotional Ndhukula said the workers stood with the company during some of Zimbabwe’s most challenging times particularly the 2008 economic crisis when many employees left the country due to hyperinflation and uncer tainty. “In 2008, when many left—including most of our male staff—these women stood by SECURICO. I trained them personally, mentored them, and together we kept the company going,” said Dr Ndhlukula. Dr Ndhlukula stressed that the initiative was a token of appreciation for their years of sacrifice, resilience, and excel lence in service. The housing loan announcement was met with applause and joy from the staff, who gathered to celebrate the milestone. The day was not only about recognition but also about fostering a strong sense of community within SECURICO. The event kicked off with various sporting activities, including netball, volleyball, soccer, and athletics, where staff mem bers competed in friendly teams. Families were also invited to join in the fun and participate in the celebrations. The day ended with the awards ceremony and a celebratory lunch, where the hard work of the staff was acknowledged and celebrated. Outstanding performers from 2024 were recognised for their exceptional contri butions. The MD’s Quality and Excellence Awards were presented to Inspectors and Officers. Money prizes and other rewards were also given to those em ployees who demonstrated excellence in their roles. Nedbank Head of SME and Consumer Banking Miriam Zisengwe was the guest speaker, at the event.“As part of the company’s broader com mitment to excellence, SECURICO unveiled its 2025 theme, #GoodtoGreat, a reflection of its ongoing journey towards recognised for their exceptional contri butions. The MD’s Quality and Excellence Awards were presented to Inspectors and Officers. Money prizes and other rewards were also given to those em ployees who demonstrated excellence in their roles. Nedbank Head of SME and Consumer Banking Miriam Zisengwe was the guest speaker, at the event. of community within SECURICO. The event kicked off with various sporting activities, including netball, volleyball, soccer, and athletics, where staff mem bers competed in friendly teams. Families were also invited to join in the fun and participate in the celebrations. The day ended with the awards ceremony and a celebratory lunch, where the hard work of the staff was acknowledged and celebrated. Outstanding performers from 2024 were “As part of the company’s broader com mitment to excellence, SECURICO un greater achievements and leadership in the security industry. “SECURICO remains committed to empowering women and championing inclusive economic development, making the housing loan initiative an integral part of its ongoing efforts to reward and invest in its most dedicated,” reads the statement.

I often find myself in discussions about whether to manage security internally or to outsource it. Internal security teams offer direct control over security protocols. However, maintaining internal security can be costly. Building and maintaining a comprehensive security infrastructure demands significant resources, including specialized training, up-to-date technology, and continuous adaptation to evolving threats. Some businesses opt for a hybrid model, combining in-house and outsourced security. This approach can offer the best of both worlds. Key Considerations: Ultimately, a well-managed outsourcing strategy, built on trust and careful planning, can be a strategic move towards enhanced efficiency and improved security.

Organisers say the field day will provide valuable insights for both small- and large-scale farmers looking to expand and improve their livestock businesses. HARARE, Zimbabwe— Zvikomborero Farm, a leading agribusiness in Zimbabwe, will host a free livestock field day on Friday, March 28, 2025, offering farmers and industry stakeholders an opportunity to enhance their livestock management skills, writes Wallace Mawire. The event, located in Featherstone, about 120 kilometers south of Harare, will feature practical demonstrations, expert insights, and networking opportunities. According to organizers, the field day is being held in partnership with key agricultural and livestock organizations, including Fivet, Kurima, Lanforce Energy, Gain Farmer, Agri-Milling, Feedmix, Seed-Co, and First Capital. Zvikomborero Farm, owned by prominent businesswoman Divine Ndhlukula, has grown into a model agribusiness, integrating crop and livestock farming, feed formulation, and agricultural training. Among its key operations are the Zviko Tuli Stud, Zviko Boran Stud, Zviko Boer and Kalahari Stud, and a School of Farming Excellence. “Our goal is to create a Centre of Farming Excellence by implementing best practices in breeding, processing, and marketing,” Ndhlukula said. The farm has received significant support through the Zimbabwe Agricultural Growth Programme (ZAGP) and the goat breeding scheme. As part of this initiative, improved goat breeding stock from Namibia was imported to enhance local genetics. Additionally, the Value Chain Alliance for Livestock Upgrading Empowerment (VALUE) program has helped smallholder farmers, particularly women and youth, access better markets and improve production. Organisers say the field day will provide valuable insights for both small- and large-scale farmers looking to expand and improve their livestock businesses.

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.