There’s an undeniable essence to women, the innate wisdom they possess from birth and their incredible talent for multiplication. With just a little, they have the ability to foster growth and abundance.
As the saying goes, “Women are incubators; you give them a house, they give you a home; you give them riches, they create wealth.” These attributes seem inherent, bestowed upon them by a higher power, and in our society, they serve as living testaments to the power and grace of womanhood.
She is a trailblazer, an exceptional businesswoman who has led Traverze Travel with unparalleled skill and vision. Her story is not different from that most of the typical village child faced. She did not come from a wealthy background, a girl born in dusty villages is now top of the society.
Zodwa’s journey began in 1972 in Mbembesi, Bubi, in the Matebeleland province. Her early education was at Mqwashini, a journey that required her to walk 20km every day to school. After completing primary school in 1990, she relocated to Harare and attended Mt. Pleasant High School for her secondary education before returning to Bulawayo to complete her studies at St. Columbus.
She later pursued a diploma in Tourism at Species College and began her career at Express Motorways, where she sold tickets. Driven by her aspirations, she later transitioned to a different company specializing in bearing sales, where she dedicated four years of her life.
Driven by her passion in travel industry, she joined a travel company where she acquired fundamental insights into running a business. Reflecting on her time there, she initially perceived the owner as harsh, but later understood that she was being groomed for future success.
Despite changing jobs multiple times in one year in search of better treatment, Zodwa found herself facing similar challenges as she did at her first company. It became evident to her that she had yet to fully comprehend the intricacies of company management and the variations in management styles.
In 1999, Zodwa embarked on a new venture, founding a travel agency alongside a student from she taught at Species College and other partners. For three years, she dedicated herself wholeheartedly to the endeavor. In 2003, fueled by her relentless drive and ambition, Zodwa decided to forge her own path and established Traverze.
In 2003, Zodwa Mkandla laid the foundation for Traverze Travel, a luxury travel company in Zimbabwe. As is common with many businesses, Traverze did not yield immediate profits. It took years of perseverance, consistency, and patience before the company began to see financial success.
She faced the challenge of sustaining both her family and her business, leading her to travel to Dubai to purchase electronic products and accessories for resale. Despite her children attending boarding school, she prioritised spending weekends at home with them. Zodwa explored various trades, from baking to other endeavors, in order to keep her business afloat amidst the fluctuating circumstances.
In the early stages of her business, Zodwa was fortunate to have clients who shared her vision and trusted in her capabilities, providing advance payments that she utilised to propel the business forward. Zodwa’s unwavering commitment to prioritizing customer satisfaction is evident through her customer-first approach and the rigorous training she provides to her employees.
At Traverze, every customer is treated with the utmost respect and care, just like royalty. To ensure the company’s success, employees are incentivised with commissions on top of their salaries, cultivating a culture of dedication and accountability.
Since its establishment in 2003, Traverze Travel has scooped numerous awards, including the prestigious Fly Emirates Award for being the best-performing travel agent in Zimbabwe. Traverze has achieved a significant milestone as the first travel agency in Zimbabwe to own an executive lounge at the Robert Mugabe International Airport.
This exclusive facility, designed with luxury and sophistication in mind, offers a regal experience for travelers, further solidifying Traverze’s reputation for excellence and innovation in the travel industry.
She has implemented a unique approach by offering access to the business class lounge at airports, typically reserved for first-class passengers, to all customers purchasing tickets from Traverze. This inclusive practice shows her commitment to prioritising relationships over mere transactions, emphasising the value she places on each customer’s experience.
Zodwa’s business acumen, professionalism, and strong dedication to providing a touch of class and customer-centric service have been pivotal to her remarkable success of her business.
In addition to ticket sales, Traverze offers a comprehensive travel experience, encompassing airport transfers, accommodation arrangements, travel tours, shopping assistance, conference management, and booking conference facilities, among other services.
Zodwa acknowledges the substantial growth Traverze has achieved over the years, reaching a pinnacle where she believes it’s time to pass the reins to the younger generation, particularly in this digital age where digital is the norm.
Recognising the need to adapt to the digital landscape, Zodwa has initiated the transition to an online ticketing platform and has established a call center to facilitate both online and telephone bookings. In addition, Traverze has expanded its offerings to include local tourism packages, encouraging exploration and appreciation of Zimbabwe’s own natural wonders and cultural heritage.
Zodwa’s advice is a reminder that success is not easily attained; it requires dedication and hard work. She urges individuals to understand the true recipe for success by examining the efforts of those they admire, cautioning against the allure of superficial glitz and glamour.
Envy, she warns, can lead to discontentment and should be avoided. Instead, she advocates for a proactive approach, encouraging the girl child to embrace entrepreneurship, continuous learning, and independence. Zodwa believes in the power of mentorship to empower young girls to recognize opportunities and thrive in their endeavors.
Zodwa’s journey is a shows the power of hard work, perseverance, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Her story inspires us to overcome obstacles, embrace opportunities, and strive for greatness in every endeavor. She is a true trailblazer and business leader whose legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.
