NRZ poised for a massive turnaround
THE newly-appointed general manager for the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) Respina Zinyanduko has hit the ground running. Her quest is to turn around the parastatal . Below she shares on her vision and how it will be implemented.
Q: How does it feel to be appointed an NRZ GM/board member
A: I feel excited to take the challenge and I look forward to making a positive contribution to NRZ.
Q: What are your perception of the NRZ as it currently stands
A: My perception is that NRZ is one of the companies in Zimbabwe that have potential to get out of the woods and contribute significantly to Zimbabwe’s economic recovery and growth. NRZ has the biggest assets that are required for its turn around, that is, people who have the required expertise and the plant and equipment, given the correct guidance, input and expertise.
Q: What skills do you bring and how are these going to benefit NRZ?
A: I have expertise in a number of areas among them human resources management, due diligence exercises and reviewing of huge contracts documents. This will assist NRZ
in its quest to capitalise.
Q: What have been the major achievements in your career that will make people have confidence in you?
A: I was part of the legal team that drafted the Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCA) Agreements between Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and other SADC countries. We drafted and concluded a number of TFCA Agreements.
Was part of the team that started the Grainmed, GMB housing fund and GMB Insurance fund. Also assisted Parks employees to set up their housing fund which assisted a number of them to secure residential stands.
Was part of the team that managed to secure a capital partner for Allied Bank.
I also carried out due diligence exercises on a number of investors and advised accordingly.
Q: What is your vision for the NRZ?
A: My vision for NRZ is to make it one of the most performing parastatals. This can be achieved through a number of ways including but not limited to public private partnerships, purchasing of new plant and equipment and joint ventures among others.
Q: What changes are you going to push through for the NRZ as a GM/board member
A: Staff engagement to ensure a harmonious industrial relations climate which is key in achieving the company’s vision.
I also feel there is need for NRZ to buy new equipment among them the locomotives.
This will improve its turnaround time regards certain jobs and boost customer confidence in NRZ services.
Since NRZ is dependent on the performance of the industry, the $12 billion mining target should also boost NRZ business significantly by providing rail transport for these mines.
This, however, may require extension of the railway line in some instances. Engagement of the miners with a view to getting into strategic partnerships for the extension of the railway line and transportation of minerals should be pursued.
The NRZ board and management should vigorously push for the total ban in copper trade especially considering that Zimbabwe does not have copper mines.
This will reduce the vandalism of copper cables significantly and allow NRZ to relaunch its electric locomotives which are both technologically advanced, efficient and have low operational costs.
Such will allow NRZ services to be competitive both locally and regionally by improving on the service turnaround time.
To propose the deployment of the few available resources to frontline business while minimal resources are deployed at the back office thus prioritising customer delight.
To encourage innovation at all levels and ensure that employees’ contributions are considered for implementation.
Q: How do you see the future of NRZ in the short, medium and long term?
I am confident that NRZ’s future is bright. If certain solutions to its current challenges are pursued, NRZ will be assured of a bright future where the Government can count on it on payment of dividends.
Q: May you please give us your brief biography
I am a seasoned lawyer with over 18 years technical and management experience across the entire corporate governance and public sector realm.
Led the restructuring of the NRZ within a record time to align the structures to business operations. This was a litigation free process which was implemented within the confines of the applicable laws.
Assistant company secretary and legal advisor for Zimbabwe Power Company, a subsidiary of Zesa Holdings.
Have excellent analytical design, motivating, negotiating and problem solving skills and is committed to maintaining high professional standards
Worked for Agricultural Bank of Zimbabwe Limited (Agribank), Allied Bank Limited (formerly ZABG) as head of legal and corporate services for four years and, Parks and Wildlife Management Authority as head administration, legal and corporate services for four years. Before then I held the position of assistant administration manager for the Grain Marketing Board for over three years. I briefly worked for government in the then Ministry of Justice Legal and Parliamentary Affairs as a public prosecutor and for Tuso and Partners Legal Practitioners as a Legal Practitioner.
Have vast experience in conducting due diligence exercises and engaging in negotiations for public private partnerships (PPPs) and investors for the private sector.
Was a board member for the Zimbabwe Investment Authority from March 2017 to March 2020. I was also appointed board member for Umfurudzi Park and Charara Wilderness Enterprise from 2009 to 2011.
Furthermore I was instrumental in the formation of the Grainmed, the GMB Housing Fund and the GMB SelfInsurance Scheme.
Q: What are your professional qualifications and experience?
Doctorate in Business Leadership (MSU), Candidate.
Executive Masters in Business Administration (MSU)
Bachelor of Laws Honours Degree (UZ)
Certificate in Engineering, Procurement and Contracts Management in the Power Industry
Registered Legal Practitioner, Conveyancer and Notary Public
Member of the Law Society of Zimbabwe