"I AM AFRICAN WILDFIRE!"
By Maverick Kabelo
Women in Africa are applauded for dominating as entrepreneurs as they inpact and add a massive contribution towards the economic growth of Africa with their booming businesses and companies.
Over the years, women especially in some parts of Africa have been restricted in venturing into being entrepreneurs because of the stereotypes binding them created by societal beliefs. Audrey Chidawanyika Simbiso a business engineering expert is amongst women entrepreneurs in Africa to break the binding stereotypes against women and she is an African Wildfire. Being a phenomenal woman means knowing and accepting your purpose and that you can do anything you set your mind on. This statement could not be much farther from the truth, with an inspiring woman.
On a personal level
Simbiso's passion of being in the human development industry terms comes from a young age. “I have always wanted my life to be better than how I grew up. We had it hard growing up and having been involved in countless small businesses and projects at home that were never sustained but ensured we survived. I knew I had to step in and get the knowledge of how to sustainably run businesses. Not only to help my family sustain its livelihood, but to also help transform businesses within my community,” she says. During her journey In improving the standard of living and quality of life for family and communities, she became a wildfire. “My work spilled from just being Mabvuku/Tafara to being in surrounding communities,” says multidimensional leader.
Audrey's goals are simply creating a better world for others as she grew up in a community where she had a front bus seat to seeing people struggling to have a decent living, children heading families, child prostitution, child marriages, drugs, and narcotics abuse, crime.
"My heart was constantly bleeding, I wanted to see better and to become a part of the change I wanted to see,” she disclosed.
She was dreaming of creating a better place where children will live without fear of being children and yearned for a place where no child would have to sell in public and risk abuse just like she suffered.
Goals and career
From a very young age, she knew she wanted to bring about change and help fight against poverty. As a result of her burning appetite, Simbiso jumped into her first public service role at the age of 12. Her main core was to protect children. “Since then, I have dedicated my life to serving others, using my skills and abilities. To influence business, non-profits, startups etc. to be human centered in their approaches,” she says. Audrey volunteered with various organizations such as AfCFTA Young Entrepreneurs Federation, Youth Up Global, Be Bold Africa, Girls for Girls, Future makers by Standard
Chartered, Young Africa Botswana, Youth Business International, She found, Mkaziprenuership and many other institutions across Africa.
Furthermore, at 21 years she became a managing director of Meat box. Audrey reflected that, “Through this experience, I learned to run a business, to sit in meetings with stakeholders and to negotiate space for myself and others.”
Her combination of loyalty and hard work encouraged her to spread her wings higher, Simbiso's endeavor crossed the borders into some other region of the continent. She has helped many acquire a brilliant skills and knowledge in the industry. Again, she got appointed as the Regional Director for Southern Africa at Youth Up Global.
"My role is to ensure youths in the region come together to create the Africa they want to see,” she explains. She strived in being an active leader in the society, consequently, in 2019 she was nominated to be part of Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders. “This component in my journey catapulted me into the future like a rocket launch to SpaceX. It opened doors for me to meet amazing leaders in Africa and across the globe,” says a business expert.
Unwinding
Audrey enjoys to have fun when working. "My work is a blast and fusion of fun on its own, I guess that’s what happens when you do what you love. Passion is never work. When I travel with work, I always find time to try out new food, meet people and enjoy the nightlife. I also have a wonderful team, driven and forward-thinking innovators, servant leaders who ensure that in the busyness of everything I remember to catch a breath and a glass of sparkling wine,” she announce.
Advice to those who want to be in entrepreneurship
As a business engineering expert, Simbiso shared her advice,”The Africa we want is NOW and you have a part to play in making the world a better place. I know that as a generation, we are going through the most, but this is the time to have a positive mental attitude, to roll up the sleeves and put in the work. Go out there and build on your social currency, leverage on it to build on your other currencies. She added that they must build on financial and intellectual currency and many more. “The world is your stage, and it’s waiting for you to step into the light and give it your best performance. Dominate!,” Audrey says.