Staff Writer
MICRO finance institution, Wildfin Financial Services’ founder and chief executive David Mantiziba (24) hogged the limelight after being listed in the Institute of Corporate Directors of Zimbabwe (ICDZ) 40 Most Influential Young Leaders in the country.
ICDZ honoured the 40 under 40 most prominent young leaders who are excelling in their respective areas of trade. The event ran under the theme ‘Rewarding Valiant Leadership in Volatile Times’ and was held in Harare recently.
Mantiziba is an excelling young entrepreneur, who has steered the microfinance institution from its humble beginning into the institution it is today. Wildfin Microfinance now has branches across Zimbabwe and expanding its footprint into the region.
The microfinance institution is already establishing offices in Zambia. Wildfin has made a name for itself by providing business and salary-based loans mainly to civil servants across Zimbabwe.
Apart from Wildfin, Mantiziba is also one of the owners of Eazi Apps company which is in partnership with a UK-based firm. Eazi Apps is a tech company that develops mobile apps and software.
With Eazi Apps, Mantiziba and other partners have expanded their operations to countries like South Africa.
In an interview after the ICDZ event, Mantiziba shared the secrets to his success at such an early age.
“All you need is to be a trustworthy person especially when dealing with investor’s funds. This calls for discipline and character.
“Mentorship made me achieve most of the things l have done. Mistakes that my mentors made are my greatest advantage as l am not falling into the same trap. I am privileged to have Nigel Chanakira, Rinos Mautsa, Shacky Timburwa, and Adelaide Chikunguru as my mentors.”
Mantiziba also said he has a great team at work which has helped to successfully run the organisation.
“l am lucky to have the best team which works 24/7, highly committed to lifting our brand name. One of the key issues is to know your numbers and be able to interpret them. Figures are always commutating with us and we don’t listen.
“We thank ICDZ for the nomination. We will not end here as a company. Our goal is to expand our service offering and serve the African region. We are in the process of building a billion-dollar group of companies in Africa.
Speaking at the event, ICDZ chairperson Phineas Bvaka said 40 under 40 was initiated by ICDZ as an effort to recognise and appreciate exceptional young business leaders who have contributed towards the growth of the economy.
“These young leaders have exhibited innovativeness in the midst of challenging times currently gripping the nation, they seized and pursued commercial opportunities that have made the organisations realise sustainable growth and they’ve evidently committed to making Zimbabwean upper-middle-income economy by 2030,” Bvaka added.
Among the winners of the 40 under 40 were Sharon Bwanya from Masawara Group, Chengetai Mujakachi from Engen Petroleum, Godfrey Koti from the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, Kelvin Sabao from Corporate Assist Advisory, Miranda Khumalo from Atherstone & Cook law firm, Cynthia Mataruse from Stanbic Bank, Rumbidzai Hondora from British American Tobacco and George Manyaya from Zimbabwe National Road Administration.
Special mention was made of Agriculture deputy minister Vangelis Haritatos and permanent secretary John Basera – HARARE