By Lovemore Chazingwa (News Correspondent)
Financial freedom is premised on will power as opposed to classroom dogma, a leading figure in academic circles has said.
Women’s University in Africa (WUA) Director of Marketing, communications and public relations Mrs Semukeliso Gono was making a presentation at a conference organised by Premium Business Network International (PBNI).
“The notion of laying cash on the table is nowhere near financial freedom. Such is just a demonstration of what one may have in their coffers.
“For one that has financial freedom, one is paid first before any other responsibilities are honoured,” she said.
There are a number if veins that can bring in income like royalties, interest income, share dividends and profit income.
She emphasised on clean, legally gotten wealth never worrying about the long arm of the law. That should give one peaceful nights.
She said there is need to impart knowledge and skills on running businesses that are inherited from the original owners for sustainable continuity, citing examples.
Said the guest speaker: “Sometimes we hear of businesses that used to thrive when the original owners were running them but if, for example, children take over it would eventually crumble. Such is a saddening state of affairs and we need to impart the business knowledge to the heir for continuity.”
The marketing guru put to the fray anecdotes of Dangote Group Head, Aliko Dangote, Alibaba’s Jack Ma, famed billionaire Microsoft’s Bill Gates, brains behind Facebook and WhatsApp Mark Zuckerberg and to Zimbabwe’s credit Econet owner Strive Masiyiwa.
She also explored the fire concept expounded to the effect of committing your life to bringing in income to endless possibilities.
Mrs. Gono says it is not enough to have one line of income as that will not bring financial freedom to the investor. She insinuated on bagging at least seen income generators.
‘The richest man in Babylon’, a riveting book on financial freedom was made reference to as a must have if one is to fully understand financial freedom concept.
The university is physically opening in the city of Kadoma. At the moment it is at Sarudzai Community Centre in Rimuka where sprucing up is underway. In the longer term, a 20 ha plot has already been acquired near Total Service Station, 2 km south of the city centre along the Harare- Bulawayo highway. This is for the permanent structure.
Agriculture Minister Air Marshal Perrance Shiri, former Zimbabawe Vice President Joice Mujuru, musician Fungisai Zvakavapano journalists Patricia Jacobs, Albert Chekayi and Mhlomuli Ncube and, former deputy health minister Tsungi Hungwe are some notable graduates from WUA.
The workshop was attended by relevant government departments, a cross section of the business community and aspiring entrepreneurs.
Zimbabwe Business Council president Langton Mabhanga made insightful remarks on the importance of revenue generation and financial freedom in pragmatic, sustainable ways.
Kadoma city is starved of physical structures for tertiary education unlike other towns and cities across the country. Such infrastructure promotes education and training complementing virtual modes.
The conference is one in a series of initiatives by the business member organisation PBNI to empower business at the same time conscientise on ethical business practise complying with legal regulations.
PBNI founder and executive director Kudzanai Vere said that his organisation will soon sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with WUA for the sole benefit of its members.
He also took the opportunity to expound on the importance of membership to PBNI and doing business the smart way.