Today’s deep dive continues our special series celebrating women in business.

Through this series, we shine the spotlight on successful African women entrepreneurs who operate across different countries and industries, yet share one thing in common: inspiring journeys often shaped by resilience, determination, and the courage to overcome challenges.

In this edition, we turn our attention to Divine Ndhlukula, a Zimbabwean business leader whose entrepreneurial vision led to the creation of one of the country’s most successful security services companies.

As the founder and managing director of SECURICO, she transformed a small startup into one of Zimbabwe’s largest and most respected security service providers.

Early Life and Education

Divine Ndhlukula was born in Zimbabwe, where she grew up with strong values around education and hard work. Determined to build a successful career, she pursued higher education at the University of Zimbabwe.

She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, equipping her with foundational knowledge in business and management.

Journey into Entrepreneurship

Before starting her business, Ndhlukula worked in the corporate sector, gaining experience in finance and management. However, she eventually decided to pursue entrepreneurship.

In 1998, she foundedSECURICO, entering a security industry that was almost entirely male-dominated. At the time, convincing clients to trust a woman-led security company was not easy.

Starting with just a few employees and limited resources, Ndhlukula focused on building a company grounded in professionalism, discipline, and reliability. Through persistence and strong leadership, she gradually built credibility in the market.

Building a Successful Enterprise

Under Ndhlukula’s leadership, SECURICO grew steadily to become one of Zimbabwe’s largest security companies, providing services such as guarding, electronic security systems, and risk management solutions.

The company employs thousands of people and serves clients across multiple sectors, including businesses, institutions, and private organizations.

One of Ndhlukula’s notable achievements has been her commitment to recruiting and training women in the security industry, challenging traditional perceptions about who can work in the field. By doing so, she has helped open doors for many women seeking careers in security services.

Championing Women’s Economic Empowerment

Beyond building a successful enterprise, Divine Ndhlukula has played a significant role in advancing women’s economic empowerment in Zimbabwe and across Africa.

Recognizing the barriers many women face when starting and growing businesses, she has used her platform to advocate for greater opportunities and support systems for female entrepreneurs.

To further this goal, she founded the Women in Enterprise Conference and Awards (WECA), an initiative designed to support, mentor, and celebrate women in business.

Her contributions to business and leadership have earned her several notable recognitions, including: African Woman of the Year Award, Forbes Africa Businesswoman of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award from the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce and EY World Entrepreneur Award Finalist

What Makes Divine Ndhlukula Stand Out

Several factors distinguish Ndhlukula as a remarkable entrepreneur:

• Breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry

• Building a large enterprise from modest beginnings

• Championing opportunities for women

• Sustained leadership and growth
  
  

Legacy and Inspiration

Today, Divine Ndhlukula stands as one of Africa’s inspiring examples of entrepreneurial leadership.

Through her work with SECURICO, she has demonstrated how determination and strategic vision can transform a small startup into a thriving enterprise.

As this series continues to celebrate women in business, Divine Ndhlukula story continues to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs across Africa, particularly women who aim to build businesses in industries where leadership opportunities have traditionally been limited.

Missed our previous feature? Read the full story of Eno-Obong Essien here: SHE100: Trailblazers of Enterprise — The Story of Eno-Obong Essien