EXHIBITORS’ CORNER
The platform to grow, connect and equip SMME businesses. February 2019 - Issue 1
MANAGING DIRECTOR (DIAMOND BERRY ENTERPRISES)
ADMINISTRATION
Nhlanhla Dabengwa
Charllote Mpofu Gugulethu Ncube
CHIEF EDITOR
MARKETING & SALES
EDITORIAL TEAM
DESIGN LAYOUT & BRAND COORDINATION
Mellisa Tshuma
Charllote Mpofu
Bacebile Balufu Khayelihle Sibanda Anittah Munyaradzi Chidonhwe Gugulethu Ncube
David Papayi
DIAMOND BERRY ENTERPRISES
NUST Building Bus. Suite 404, Sky Hub Offices, 4th Av and Jason Moyo Street Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
MARKETING & ADVERTISING
TEL: +263 8644 269 989 CELL: +263 73 532 4308 EMAIL: newsroom.excomag@gmail.com , info.diamondberry@gmail.com
PUBLISHED BY DIAMOND BERRY ENTERPRISES Exhibitors’ Corner
Exhibitors’ Corner | 3
Editors Note A
warm welcome to our very first issue! The Exhibitors Corner is here to enable all start-up and well established businesses to develop through association and networking to better equip and grow their business. This will be done through profiling and commending outstanding individuals and disruptive solutions across Africa.
Melisa Tshuma
Many a times people fail to start up businesses not because of capital but because of lack of knowledge, fear and failure to network with the right individuals who can help your business grow. Succeeding in business is all about making connections through networking. This magazine provides a platform for businesses to know who to engage with to make their business grow. Be sure to look up for inspirational unique individuals who share their journey’s of how they got to where they are, today “never despise the day of small beginnings I must say!” As with most things in life patience is required and hopefully the articles here will help your business grow and bring forth enlightment of new ideas.
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realise how tall the entrepreneurial mountain is when you start climbing, because at first the peak is shrouded in clouds. As you climb, the clouds start to thin and you can see a bit clearer the nearer the top you go, the higher up you go, the more treacherous the climb, the bigger the risks. The longer you go without knowing how high the mountain is, the more desperation and lack of oxygen (Funding) affect you and that is the point when it makes more sense to give up right? My answer is No! The beginning is always the hardest part, so if you have started a business and it is proving difficult or impossible, remember that if you are patient, persistent and passionate, you will eventually make it. What you must keep in mind is that if you keep doing things the right way and you will inevitably get to the top. The upside of it is that when flying down the other side it will have a snow ball effect, gaining every bit of traction you could ask for.
How not to fail from the word GO:
MANAGER’S REMARKS
1. FOCUS ON YOUR STRENGHTS. A wise man once said, “from the cradle to the cubicle, we devote more time to our shortcomings, than to our strengths” What it simple means is learn your strengths, stop focusing on your weaknesses and improve your business.
The reality of being an entrepreneur is harsh. The sooner that fact is realised and accepted, the easier it is to position oneself, much easier to accept and continue to overcome obstacles along the way.
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ntrepreneurship- The Uphill Battle (Note to Start-Up) It is said entrepreneurship is the modern cool, but do we understand what it is and what it takes to make a success out of it? Personally, I would never know much about it all, but I have really dug into it enough to understand how it feels to be a start-up graduating to a survivalist with the characteristics of the black panther of the Amazon region. To get a clear understanding of it all, I will start by defining the terms of the above topic: Entrepreneurship- The capacity and willingness to develop, organise and manage a business venture along with any of its risks in order to make a profit. The most example of
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entrepreneurship is the starting of a new business that fills an existing void. (BusinessDictionary.com) The Uphill Battle- If you refer to something as an uphill struggle or an uphill battle, you mean that it requires a great deal of effort and determination, but it should be possible to achieve it. Although everyone of us starts off their venture into entrepreneurship in the biggest hopes, believing they have thought every possible eventuality. News-Flash – No you haven’t.! The reality of being an entrepreneur is harsh. The sooner that fact is realised and accepted, the easier it is to position oneself, much easier to accept and continue to overcome obstacles along the way. Fact of the matter is you only
Your brand relies on your strengths. Yes, shortcomings need attention but remember you are an entrepreneur and you have a million problems to solve in little time, choosing where to focus your energy is key. Start thinking about how these strengths will benefit your business, how they will help you achieve your vision, how often you will leverage that strength and by doing so, you start to build a business strategy that is based on what you are good at. Focus on your strengths while working on your weaknesses. 2. CONSISTENCY IS KEY. “…the distance between the life you have now and the life you want is discipline and consistency” Great brands and companies are built through the consistent delivery of the brand promise through all stakeholder’s touch points. Trust is built upon the foundation of consistency; a forward momentum attitude must always prevail in your business. Sustainability is the key to consistency, meaning for example whatever you do, you need to do it day in day out for it to stick.
MANAGERS REMARKS When we are not authentic, consistency is very hard to maintain, sometimes impossible therefore defeating the brand promise 3. MONITOR YOUR LITTLE SUCCESS STORIES. We have been accustomed to celebrating the big milestones and achievements overlooking the little wins along the way. Those little, no matter how small, are there to keep you motivated in the long-term. Keeping track of the small achievements helps boost your confidence (The Science of Winning). The power of progress is fundamental to this entrepreneurial journey, of all things that can boost inner work life, the most important is making progress in meaningful work. It may seem trivial to celebrate something as seemingly unimportant as being invited to give a talk at a seminar. However, you are not necessarily celebrating the achievement itself, you are celebrating your habits, the good behaviour and person you are becoming. Celebrate those little success stories.
The Uphill Battle -
If you refer to something as an uphill struggle or an uphill battle, you mean that it requires a great deal of effort and determination, but it should be possible to achieve it.
4. STAY POSITIVE. Nothing is ever achieved without some trials and tribulations. The first step in moving beyond those circumstances is to remain positive. Without that, you’ll be perpetually stuck in that situation. No good has ever come from negativity. The key to staying positive through bad times is to understand that they are inevitable. It’s not a matter of if you will experience a setback–it is only a matter of when. Stay positive, focus on being mindful and keep a clear head. When problem solving, don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t all go according to plan. You can’t control everything in life or business, so embrace the adversity and dig in even further to drive a positive outcome. The harder you work for something, the more rewarding it is in the end. So, stay positive always. 5. DON’T QUIT. Finally, the last thing I am going to share with you is that never ever quit. Winners don’t quit, quitters don’t win. The truth is this journey of entrepreneurship is harder than most anticipated, every successful person I have asked about their success journey, they all describe all sorts of roller coaster rides which are full of ups and downs and tones of disappointments, they had to sweat blood and tears for it. But if there is one outstanding and common thing amongst them all is that they never QUIT, they pressed on and prevailed through the mountains and aisles because the vision and purpose was greater and beyond them, the zeal to succeed was above their fear of failure. Remember why you started, if the reasons are genuine don’t give up on them. So, you have just started your business and you have built a team around you, with a handful of clients but it is proving to be difficult, quitting is giving up on them, by quitting you are disappointing those that see potential in you. The best advise we can take today is, rest if you must, go back to the drawing board, restructure but whatever you do DON’T QUIT.
Nhlanhla Dabengwa is the Founder and Managing Director of Diamond Berry Enterprises (PVT) Ltd. He is a highly entrepreneurial, young visionary and marketing fanatic who aspires to be a thought leader in the marketing industry.
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COVER STORY
Velile Dube Founder of Ideal Black Man Couture (IBMC)
Velile Dube
__is an avid marketing practitioner with a passion for relationship building and networking. A disruptive thinker and innovator who is gainfully employed as the Matabeleland Regional Marketing Manager of the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC), where he is responsible for the membership drive, events management, lobbying and facilitation in a quest to create and enable a favourable environment for business development in Zimbabwe. 8 | Exhibitors’ Corner
COVER STORY Velile has a decorated academic background which began at Rhodes Estate Preparatory School and his high school at Plumtree High School. He is a 2016 graduate fellow of past President Obama’s Mandela Washington Fellowship at Drake University in IOWA, USA. He majored in Marketing at the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the National University of Science and Technology (NUST). Velile is anything but ordinary, he aspires to be a Chartered Marketer and Doctor in Marketing at the ENTREPRENEUR,MARKETER,TOASTMASTER VELILE DUBE age of 40. A seasoned speaker, trainer, presenter and Director of ceremonies, he is a member His love for mentorship and grooming Velile was once a Matabeleland of Toastmasters International regional board member of Marketers future leaders has seen him being where he was awarded the Co-Founder and Board Velile Dube is undoubtedly a unique individual Member of Elevate Trust, the Competent Communicator (CC) who has a soft spot for children and education. and a mentor of the Boost and Competent Leader Fellowship Zimbabwe. (CL) status in Des Moines, He recently qualified IOWA, America. in the top 2 for the Bulawayo Association of Zimbabwe (MAZ) province under the CBZ Bank Young and is the Director of Projects at He is a member of the Bulawayo Entrepreneurs Programme (YEP). the newly constituted board of chapter of Junior Chamber Adventists in Services and industry International (JCI). He recently was Velile Dube is undoubtedly a (ASI). appointed as the southern region unique individual who has a soft Apart from steering affairs at the board chairperson of Customer spot for children and education. above boards and entities, Velile He is currently in the process of Care Association of Zimbabwe has a strong passion for fashion and setting up a trust Child Dreams (CCAZ), sits on the Seventh Day clothing, which explains him being Foundation (CDF) whose mandate Adventist Church Zimbabwe the Founder and Brand Ambassador will be rehabilitation of rural schools West Union Conference (ZWUC) of Ideal Black Man Couture (IBMC). in Zimbabwe. Apart from changing Publishing board. Prior to the above and impacting the world around him, Velile has stout passion for “Successful people do everyday what their unsuccessful counterparts Public Relations and marketing which informs his dreams of one day do occasionally” success is a habit.One has to en-culture themselves spearheading aggregate foreign to do a small thing everyday that culminates towards success bedirect investments for Zimbabwe cause the difference between what you want to be and who you through synergies and partnerships, are now is WHAT YOU DO. which the country greatly needs at the moment.
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PROFILE
Black Redding Enterprises (PVT) Ltd.
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lack Redding Enterprises (PVT) Ltd. was incorporated in Bulawayo in 2015 as a registered Engineering Services Company. Black Redding Enterprises (PVT) Ltd is involved in the business of supplying a wide range of quality products to the business community, focusing on different industrial sectors. They specialise in raw materials for processing and manufacturing motor vehicle, household, industrial and engineering components and various packaging.
STRATEGY Vision Statement:
Growing the brand “Black Redding” beyond tomorrow. A brand that spells trustworthiness, sincerity and a solid reputation.
Mission Statement:
Sublime liturgical brand excellence. To unlock the company’s full value by creating a shared legacy that is significant and long lasting.
Business goals and objectives: To be found in most places of the distribution chain. A market position among trusted brands. To be a leading stockist and supplier of Engineering, Manufacturing, Mining, Chemicals Raw Material and Electrical quality supplies products in Zimbabwe and to provide a second to none service to our customers as to keep the wheels of mining and industry rolling.
Values: The company offers a variety of services and products which include but not limited to: 1. Engineering Services within the Sub-Engineering categories of electronic, mechanical and civil engineering. 2. Raw materials for chemical processing and finished industrial, automotive and household chemicals. 3. Mining services and consumables. 4. Project Consulting. 5. Forensic investigations. 6. Project management. 7. Restoration engineering.
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To operate in a customer-centric way, developing strategies with an outside approach.
The company’s business strategy is to diversify both vertically and horizontally, in the near future we wish to grow by acquisition, partnership or shareholding. Black Redding (PVT) Ltd values the idea that there is no substitute for quality, their supply base is offered on speed and accuracy to the needs of its customers. Black Redding’s point of view is that no client is too small, they will segment to the least individual.
Expanded business hours and delivery to specific clients. Diluted concentration on products is unacceptable to their standards or poor packaging in order to cut costs, presentable quality products and services is its business competitiveness.
LIFESTYLE
OWNING YOUR BRAND WITH KHAYA
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the qualities I possessed but rather character draw inspiration from hey say, sometimes we I was too focused on becoming a that. My message is elegance and don’t realise how beautiful better version of myself not knowing grace. My journey has taught me the gifts we have are and that what the soul goes through, the how blessed we are because we are that even the journey to that place may introduce other people to a too much focused on bigger things appearance will show. I represent different energy. I began to receive we think matter more, we are too a brand of honour, character and random complimentary messages on strength, one that communicates a comfortable to notice or perhaps different platforms, of people telling soul that is at peace with oneself, a we think what we have is ordinary me how much they adored the way flower that is blooming and is in no and not worth much attention. Lady I carried myself and how much of Kay they called me, and all those competition with no one. A rose that an inspiration I was and still am to years I thought to myself “well they is aware of its thorns but still thrives to bloom and produce the probably just like the Often than not, it is how one presents themselves in name”, it was all normal speech and look that sends out a message to people. sweetest essence. to me. Little did I know, When personality syncs with speech and outward My personality is my people call you what adornment, women built with strength and character trademark, a brandable they call you, they talk to draw inspiration from that. you the way they do and trademark that has since developed into one that can treat you the way they do sometimes them. How Beautiful! I thought being the brainy one was what inspired simply because it all resonates with be in convergence and synergy a whole lot of people out here. It with other brands in the corporate you or who you are. made me realise how much one world. Embracing and owning my can be an inspiration and influence Winning the title “Ms Elegance/ personality has helped me reach without whispering a word. Personality” in a modelling contest, out to different heights in the industry that I am fast becoming comfortable my first time ever contesting was Often than not, it is how one with. Own your brand, it is the mind blowing. The experience presents themselves in speech and personality stamp that exhorts your made a few things a lot easier to look that sends out a message to understand. I simply did not know authority. people. When personality syncs with how much of an impact I had speech and outward adornment, purely because I did not embrace women built with strength and
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EXPERTISE
by Cedric D. Mbeba Ultra Energy Solutions
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ver 200 000 solar systems have been installed in Zimbabwean households over the years and millions having free use of solar kits and devices in rural areas, it is evident that solar power is no longer a revelation to a Zimbabwean but its business still lags behind; Can we make this free source of energy a business then?
WHY RENEWABLE ENERGY IS THE FUTURE
While the power generated by the local parastatal is still at its lowest levels, there is a fraction of the population that suffers energy poverty in the Rural Zimbabwe and there is a fool proof solution that will go a long way to eradicate this., Solar Power. With 360 days of sunshine alone, Zimbabwe can power up its daily activities with this beautiful renewable energy. The country has enormous solar energy potential that if exploited fully the we can harness thousands of megawatt hours throughout the year. What Zimbabwe needs: A turn key solution that will see millions in savings, preservation of forests and easy access to basic light, this can be achieved by tailor making a product for Zimbabweans and for Zimbabweans and thereby promoting sustainability and entrepreneurship. Why do we believe in this? Over the years we have been importing all of our solar panels and implements from abroad and largely from China. These are simply universal throughout the globe and they have numerous limitations as to the supply and demand of free energy in Zimbabwe, a case in point is total sun hours and the position of the sun differs throughout all regions and thereby causing an energy gap and people cannot harness adequate sunlight and use of these devices may be limited as well A permanent solution: Renewable and selfsustaining mini- and off-grid solutions serve as alter-natives to traditional grid connections to achieveenergy-access goals for remote communities. Which is the basis on which Ultra Energy Solutions was formed; to bridge an already existing gap in the energy supply throughout all regions. With extensive research and many trials, the projects will gather up resources and information enough to create self-sustaining mini grid solutions and kits. Access to energy and the rate at which Zimbabwe is realising this, is a huge factor at which energy technology differs throughout the globe. The landscape and population distribution of
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the country underscores why major power plants are unable to reach and serve all areas. As many of these regions are located so far from other urban centres, extending a country’s main electrical grid remains unaffordable. This leads us to the interim solution of investigating energy access and planning in an integrated manner, which includes incorporating smaller “minigrids” that operate independently from the main grid and offgrid systems in isolated regions of the continent. Implementation of these solutions could also prove viable in regions where it remains unfeasible to spread the national grid, owing to issues such as topography or low population density. Challenges facing the development of private sector minigrids in Africa comprise of gaps in the policy and regulation governing mini-grids along with deficits in market data and linkages; capacity of key stakeholders and access to finance. In response to these barriers. Zimbabwe is rich in renewable energy sources which remain the most economical approach for powering mini-grids. However, the development of mini-grids poses several barriers that must be unpacked. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has forecasted (in Africa Energy Outlook 2014) that 70 percent of new rural electricity supply in Africa will be provided
EXPERTISE
by independent systems and mini-grids by 2040 (source Africa Energy Indaba). Food for thought. By substituting kerosene and diesel with solar, these solutions offer millions of people the benefits of both reducing their energy expenditures as well as drastically reducing CO2 emissions. Mini-grids and off-grid power projects are set to make a huge impact as Africa (and Zimbabwe) plays catch-up in its generation capacity. SE4All Africa Hub at the African Development Bank (AfDB) designed the GMG MDP which is a pan-African programme that focuses on the financial, policy, technical and market barriers facing the emerging GMG sector. Phase 1 of the GMG MDP was launched in 2015, with financing from the AfDB’s Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA). The GMG MDP, SE4All, SEFA and ESMAP are playing their parts in reducing costs, as well as contributing to technological innovations and improvements in GMG expansion. All this is set to verify that up to two thirds of this power supply will be powered by renewable sources.
funding for off-grid energy projects delivering home solar solutions that are not only portable and easy to install, but affordable, thereby enabling people without power, access to support appliances such as air conditioners and refrigerators. In Nigeria, OPIC financing is supporting Lumos, an off-grid electricity provider, in launching its portable solar stations which connect to rooftop panels and include cell phone payment systems. An OPIC loan is also funding Greenlight Planet, affording remote communities solar lighting and phone charging devices. These unserved populations will now be provided with ready access to power for their homes and businesses.
OPIC (Overseas Private Investment Corporation) provides
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EXPERTISE
HOW TO PLAN A KILLER EVENT by Fary
The key to planning any successful event is the Budget… 2019 is just starting and we have events already planned for through out the year, festivals and festive but as we all know. It takes time and effort to plan a successful event that will make your client happy and in turn make you proud of a job well done. To pull off an enviably successful event, some careful planning needs to go into things like the budget, venue, food & beverages, as well as fun things like décor! As with anything ambitious, we have to break down the event into segments in order to be effective.
DATE
Setting of a date is the second thing you have to do in order to have a time frame to work with. Having a date gives you the time to send out your invitation cards or emails depending on the type of event you are hosting. Date means time, and time is essential when planning a killer event, this puts you in a position to know how to properly layout your work.
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MUSIC
Music creates ambiance, therefore you need to find the best DJ for that particular event- it’s always best to look for a DJ that understands exactly what you need for that day. Music brings people together therefore it has to versatile to suite different people but also decent. I always have 3-4 DJs on standby for each event I host, that way I know who to call and for which event.
RESEARCH
You will need to do some research when planning an event so you can gather inspiration and see other possible ways of putting together your idea. Social media can be extremely helpful as you will have to access vast information and diverse ideas from all over the world to inspire you.
EXPERTISE
BUDGET
VENUE
How you choose your venue is crucial. Two things to keep in mind are Toilets and Safety. Are your toilets easily accessible, are they clean for the guests to use? You can’t pull off an event without clean and usable toilets for your guests. As well as looking at the safety of each person attending, if it’s a birthday party for kids it’s very important to check the entire premises for any harmful objects or things like swimming pools. Safety is one of the most ignored points though it should be on your checklist. Choosing a venue will also be backed up by the number of guests you are expecting to host. You cannot have a venue with capacity of as little as 100 guests whilst expecting 300 guests.
DÉCOR
This makes or breaks the event. Décor is the most important aspect of pulling together an event, as this creates a lasting memory in your guests both negatively or positively. People will always remember an event by its décor. This is also where research comes in, you don’t want to be doing an old, uninspired type of décor when you get out there and search for ideas. Times are changing and knowing your theme for the event can help a lot in this area.
First, how much money do we have at our disposal to pull this off? Having a budget will act as a guideline in executing any event, this gives you a visual on the amount of resources you have, to bring the event to life. A budget determines the size of an event. The difference in cost between 200 and 500 attendees is huge, therefore this can temper with the initial budget set. Having a clear set budget, per person, is most preferred because it gives you a better sense on how to prioritize the resources you have. It shows that much thought has been put into the event.
FOOD & BEVERAGE
This happens to be my favourite part of any event. Food makes people happy and I just happen to be the biggest foodie there is, lol. If this is properly thought out and planned, your event could turn out to be the talk of the town. A good meal is one that includes a bit of dessert. No matter how stuffed I am, there is always room for dessert. A nice bowl of ice-cream or trifle can definitely take off the edge and at the end of the day I can safely say, “that was the best event ever”. Food should be served warm and not cold, I have been to functions where the food is cold and tastes like rubber. Most of these gatherings result in people getting sick all because the food was served stale or cold. This is one of the things that make an event special. Not having enough food is also a challenge that most caterers have faced therefore I would rather have more than enough and manage to also cater for the uninvited guests too. No matter how bored people were at first, as long you have this part covered then you have nothing to worry about as this can be your game changer.
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AGRO-TECH
RERA ONLINE FARM
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oultry and eggs are the protein of choice for African Consumers, as these sources are affordable and accessible. Chicken is arguably one of the all-time favourite meat products for Africans more-so in Zimbabwe. The year-on-year growth in the global poultry markets is set to continue, a demand growth of more than 60% is expected over the next decade.
ACHIEVMENTS
Rera Online Farm participated at the Seed-stars Tech Competition, that was held in Harare 29 June. The company came up first position as the best innovative tech start up Zimbabwe. As part of the award, Rera Online Farm has been shortlisted for seed funding of up to $50 000 under the Seed-stars Growth Program which commences in January 2019. In December 2018, the tech start-up travelled to Tanzania, Dar Es Salaam for the Seed-stars Regional Summit, where they received mentorship and business training. After the Regional Summit, Rera Online Farm will proceed to the Global Summit, where they will be competing for a seed capital of $500 000 against other selected Start-up companies. An achievement held dearly.
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Rera Online Farm is a farming service that caters for all your chicken farming needs, from procurement of farming inputs, production to delivery of ready chicken produce, for residential low-end consumers and the high-end commercial consumers. Rera handles all these farming needs through working with registered chicken farmers and farming input suppliers, up till the delivery stage of harvest.
INSPIRATION
YOUNGER ME by Lady Profound
If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you; If you can trust yourself when everyone is doubting you, but make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired Or, being lied about, don’t deal in lies, or being hated don’t give way to hating; If you can dream – and not make your dreams your master; If you can think – and not make your thoughts your aim, And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise; If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster and treat those two imposters just the same; If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken, twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools. Or watch the things you gave your life to broken, and stoop and build them up with worn out tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings and risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, and lose again and start again at your beginnings, and never breath a word about your loss: If you may fall and still know that the only way to get on your feet is to get on your knees; If you can force your heart and nerve to serve your turn long after they are gone, and still hold on when there is nothing left for you, except the WILL which says…’Hold on!!’ If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, or walk with kings-nor lose the common touch; If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, if all men count with you, but none too much; If you can fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds worth of doing what you love. Know this…Yours is the earth and everything that’s in it.
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PROFILE
TWINHEART EVENTS
by Nomthunzi moyo
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very event deserves a twinheart experience, a memorable moment to hold on to forever and cherish. “Nothing else matters, really. Nothing else. Netflix and chill, neither is it about money or success. Life is about LOVE”. This is from a team of two passionate and professional beings who believe in giving the customer a brand experience on their special day. This is done through provision of unique conceptual designs, planning, decorating and catering services. Twinheart events specialises in picnic setup’s of kiddies’ parties, romantic picnics and outdoor weddings and parties.
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Our aim is to turn your special day into a ball of happiness and love through high quality service. To be the leading events planning company that gives a customer an experience of a lifetime on their special day in the most unique event space is our vision.
PROFILE
BRIDGING THE GAP
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part from it being a basic human right, education plays a very significant role in the economy. Education in every sense is one of the fundamental factors of development. No society can achieve sustainable economic development without substantial investment in human capital, education raises people’s productivity and creativity and promotes entrepreneurship and technological advances. However, the persistent disparity in educational attainment from individuals between higher-income to lower-income is a cause for concern. Partnering Centre for Social Sciences Research, Diamond Berry Enterprises underwent an extensive social impact initiative which saw more than 150 informal and cross-border traders benefiting from an occupational skills training programme at no fee charged. The participants graduated in business skills courses namely, entrepreneurship, financial management skills, marketing and merchandising right across to basic accounting. The elementary courses where designed for the calibre of individuals which where
invited to participate, results achieved where more than anticipated as it saw elevation of certain individuals from street vendors to shop owners and smallscale suppliers of clientele higher up the value chain. The idea behind this attempt to bridge the educational gap is to foster and encourage quality entrepreneurship, that will see creative, impactful and solutions driven initiatives from street vendors. It doesn’t stop there, Diamond Berry Enterprises as a strategy development company that provides business solutions to entities, is working on a smart-vending system that aims to assist small to medium enterprises identify their key performance indicators and track their business growth in order to assist them in positioning them for future objectives development. Education builds solid economies, the skills-gap should and must be bridged for quality enterprising.
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In business, great things are never done by one person. They are done by a team of people... ...Teamwork makes the dream work.