Zimpapers Logo

Phionah Riekert

Tafadzwa Zimoyo : Lifestyle Writer

I always tell myself that there is no limit to what I can do. Whenever I venture into something, I always endeavour to make the best out of it and stretch myself to the limit. My motivation has always been that there is no mountain that cannot be moved. Whatever you set out to do, go all out for it, with all your might At only 28, she has become an established businesswoman, whose interests are spread across several countries in Africa. She says it is her love for travelling that

has enabled her to unlock business opportunities in almost every country she sets foot.

An enterprising woman full of unmatchable charisma, she speaks nine languages which she mastered through living in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Ghana, Zambia, Botswana as well as stints in Brazil.

Phionah Riekert is one of the remarkable entrepreneurs from Zimbabwe who have transcended perceived boundaries and glass ceilings to own various business interests in Africa.

At present, she employees about 300 people through her companies Top Formula Private Investigations, Emanti Mix Enterprises, ZimSan mining as well as a freshly launched entity, Uplands Gas.

In an interview with Saturday Herald Lifestyle Riekert described how she grew from humble beginnings to become a successful businesswoman.

Riekert said the secret to her success can be traced from the moment she was born, as she was not delivered through standard medical procedures but through a “miracle at home”.

“I was not born in a hospital but my mother gave birth to me on her own in her home, with the help of other relatives.

So I think this background from the on set gave me the strength and resolve to face up to any challenges.

I was born and bred in Beitbridge but I was always relocating to different places, so I also lived in Harare, Chitungwiza and Masvingo,” she said.

She said her experiences growing up in the border town made her appreciate the diversity of life as well as spurred her interests in travelling.

The businesswoman said she was inspired to start her first business at the age of 18.

“Things did not start easy for me.

“After I finished my A-Level studies in 2004, I enrolled at a college in Harare and studied for a course in Security and Risk Management.

“This course developed my passion for investigating and I formed my first company, Top Formula Security Services soon after college.

“The company specialises in all issues to do with security such as private investigations, security, private security and other such services,” she said.

Riekert also studied at the University of Rio Di Janeiro in Brazil, where she majored in Corporate Law.

She is also currently pursuing further studies in Business Communication with the University of South Africa (UNISA).

Riekert said after establishing base in Zimbabwe, she managed to set up shop in South Africa in 2007, where she ventured in retail businesses such as grocery shops, butcheries, convenience stores and takeaways through her company Emanti Mix.

The company grew from strength to strength and diversified to include fuel service stations as well as upmarket nightclubs in different locations in South Africa.

She also managed to set up other outlets in Zambia and Botswana through the Emanti Mix brand.

In Zimbabwe she has interests in mining through her joint venture company, ZimSan, which operates a gold mining concern near Chinhoyi.

Riekert says her newest entity, Uplands Gases is set to provide trendsetting developments in the gas sector.

“My company, Uplands Gases started off in Ghana where we do wholesale and retail.

In Zimbabwe, we are still starting off, but some of the products that we are going to provide are the first of their kind in Zimbabwe.

We are providing gas generators which we believe to be quite necessary to the market and a solution to the power challenges that the country continues to face,” she said.

She said her biggest inspiration is her father who has mentored her to become a successful businesswoman.

“My father is my mentor. He is a successful businessman in his own right and he has taught me that there is no limit to what a person can do,” she said.

The vivacious businesswoman said her message of inspiration to other aspiring businesspeople is to have belief in whatever they are doing.

“I always tell myself that there is no limit to what I can do. Whenever I venture into something, I always endeavour to make the best out of it and stretch myself to the limit.

“My motivation has always been that there is no mountain that cannot be moved. Whatever you set out to do, go all out for it, with all your might,” said Riekert.