I BEG TO DIFFER

FEBRUARY 2023

Hello Sisters and Friends

They say women in general, and black women in particular, do not support each other enough in business. I so beg to differ.

I reflect on the Year 2022, yet another tough trading year at Mbano Manor Hotel Victoria Falls. Brief recap – we built and developed the lovely Mbano Manor hotel boutique hotel at Victoria Falls; the hotel opened in January 2020; Closed March 2020 for four months; Has been trading since August 2020. As we all know, the years 2020 and 2021 were witness to a tough business environment, for the tourism industry - some business closures, downsizing, unemployment -??due to effects of the pandemic!!

Year 2023. Mbano Manor hotel is still as amazing, lovely, and still open.

Therefore. I take this moment to thank the ladies who are family, friends, friends of friends, or those who I did not meet, yet who shouted loud “We are here for, and at Mbano, supporting you”.

You came to stay at Mbano, and said hang in there Mati, this will work. You cried tears of joy on arrival (Pat BFFF!!!), you danced (Emily, Joyce), you stood silent (Miriam), posed for a photo, shared online with others (lots of you). And you returned, several times more (Mwaiti, Shuvai!!).

You shared your stories with me over a cup of coffee. A former judge from Atlanta (Rhonda and Julie), a group of doctors and nurses from Houston, running a medical business in the UK, Strategic management in Switzerland, Educator from Maryland, retired from World Bank, Designer from Lusaka, businesswoman from Dar Es Salaam, Accra, Dubai, Vancouver, Washington, Sweden, Switzerland, Sydney, Manchester, Moscow, London, Rwanda, Lagos, Nairobi, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia.

I met you in Harare, Cape Town, Denver, Los Angeles, Victoria Falls, and online. I met you in church, at the airport, in a shop, at the salon.

You were far away (Caribbean Islands, South America, Russia, UK, USA, Australia, Europe, Continental Africa) – but you opened doors for me for future business.

You read my story and saw my interviews on You Tube. You read about Mbano online and decided to come and stay. You shared my story.

Or you did not come – but you sent/referred your child, nephew, visiting friends, colleagues.

You followed up, and sent me contacts for business, and gave valuable advice. You shared information about what young ladies in their 20s and 30s are seeking; about how to reach the 40s and 50s independently wealthy and professionals. Or you came along with a dear husband for your first, 10th, 43rd or 49th wedding anniversary!!!

You are one of the many young women who reached to me – who wanted me to be your mentor. Who I could only spare a few words of encouragement. Often, I sent you away – to first do more homework, to think through your ideas. Because building a business is hard work.

I must have a favourite moment of the year, as one does. My Queen Sista, Veronica, from Seattle. I met Veronica for the first time on her arrival at Vic Falls airport -strong confident walk, pink headphones on, lovely flowing caftan, attitude for Africa and the world!!. I knew I had found my Mentor. ?First time in Vic Falls, and I watched you networking for Mbano just hours later, on the boat cruise on the Zambezi River, and days later, in the middle of high-net worth Johannesburg! You raise me up.

I have watched developments in our amazing destination of Victoria Falls between 2020 and 2022. Some flights cancelled, or merged with others, due to insufficient passenger loads. It was bittersweet to see the airline British Airways by Comair close its doors in 2022 because, back in the 1990s, I was part of the British Airways Global team involved in on-boarding Comair as a franchise partner in Southern Africa. Several hotels and bush camps also closed their doors, sadly. On the other hand, I was privileged to be a guest on the FastJet inaugural flight from Victoria Falls to Kruger National Park South Africa. A new route opening. The future is bright.

Yes, Sisters and Friends, you also inspired me. I watched interviews and documentaries about you. I read articles about how you grew your companies. I watched you walk tall. And it gave me strength to keep going.

And sometimes I was so exhausted. It was yet another low trading month at Mbano Manor hotel. The phones were silent. Bills needed to be paid. Our loyal staff needed recognition and reward. I asked you for advice, and you were just a WhatsApp message away.

I turned to you and said – “I need more ladies like you to support me. It is a tough world out there.”. And you looked at me and said “But I am here. Barack Obama’s mother had only one son. We will make it, my Queen Sister”.

Too numerous to mention , but here goes – Amai, Anonymous, Abbie, Alana, Alletha, Anesu, Angela, Aja, Adjoa, Astrid, Audrey, Barbara, Bev, Carla, Carol, Caroline, Catherine, Chandra, Charlotte, Charity, Chiedza, Chipo, Dana, Deborah, Debra, Doris, Dorothy, Danielle, Divine, Anonymous, Emma, Emily, Florence, Geri, Grace, Jackie, Jan, Jillian, Joyce, Karen, Kirsty, Kuda, Linda, Lindi, Lizanne, Margaret, Marcia, Manyara, Mercyline, Miriam, Monica, Mukai, Muchero, Mwaiti, Marlene, ?Musimo, Nicole, Norma, Nozipo, Nyasha, Anonymous, Pat, Pet Joy, Phoebe, Priscilla, Ruth, Refilwoe, Sandra, Sekai, Sheba, Shelter, Shelley, Shuvai, Sibulele, Stella, Stephanie, Tafadzwa, Tariro, Theresa, Thuli, tina, Tracey, Trish, Tsitsi, Veronica, Winnie, Yvonne, Anonymous.

To the menfolk. I have not forgotten you. But today is my Queen Sister Day.

So, allow me to beg to differ.

Mbano is standing today because of the incredible network of Sister Family, Sister Friends and Sisters Anonymous, that stood by me and continue to stand by us. We celebrate Hospitality Centered on African Excellence. Thank you all.

Mati Nyazema Founder/Owner Mbano Manor Hotel Victoria Falls by Mantis