Midlands Businesswoman of theYear, Ruswa’s rise to the top
BORN and raised by two loving parents, a father holding a humble job in a bank and a mother who proved to be an enterprising vendor, Mrs Ashell Ruswa has worked hard to change the setting in her life story. As the eldest child in a family of eight she grew up having many responsibilities which included minding the vending stalls after school and nursing the little ones.
Having ventured into the corporate world and practiced as a credit controller, she left the comfort of the office to try her hand in business in 1994. Over the years, with skill and determination she grew the business from a small hair salon to a thriving business with vast business interests.
A loving mother of one, a widow, a brave and focused leader, Mrs Ashell Ruswa’s life achievements and worthy nominations are celebrated by the following companies.
Dashley Hardware
From a small shed selling gum poles and timber, the chain of hardware shops has grown both in size and in repute. The shops’ sphere of influence extends from Chivi to Mberengwa in the Midlands region servicing farmers, schools, various institutions and individuals. It has been providing its customers with building materials and farming inputs.
Cenitemp Investments Cenitemp’s core business is property development and leasing. The company has grown its portfolio since inception and is a force to reckon with in Zvishavane. It owns a number of shopping malls and commercial buildings housing both SMEs and large co-operations. The company seeks to modernise Zvishavane by building state-of-the-art buildings. Cenitemp Investments also boasts of properties in various parts of the country Errymaple Trust Group of Schools As a show of her love for children and a sense of community responsibility Mrs Ashell Ruswa ventured into the education industry. The fruitages of that idea are three schools.
Errymaple Primary School — The boarding school has an enrolment of 400 children and caters for children from ECD up to Grade Seven. In the 2021 examinations year it achieved a 100% pass rate and acquired a high ranking on the Ministry of Education Midlands rankings.
Errymaple High School — The boarding school seeks to equip learners with life skills at an affordable cost and has an enrolment of two hundred and fifty students. Errymaple High School is registered for Zimsec and Hexco exams.
Errymaple international — Construction of the school began in September 2021. In February 2022 the school with six blocks of classrooms, each block consisting of six classrooms opened its doors. With a fully operational and equipped since lab the school is registered as a Cambridge Examination centre.
Mrs Ashell Ruswa’s achievements are proof of her high level of commitment to the cause. Her professionalism and etiquette has enabled her to groom and lead a young generation of future leaders and go-getters.