eBusiness Weekly
Business Writer
Veteran banker, Never Nyemudzo, has been appointed new chairperson of Air Zimbabwe, taking over from business executive Chipo Mtasa who resigned recently.
Mutasa stepped down from the national airline board to avoid a conflict of interest.
She is the chairperson of Mutapa Investments Fund, a major shareholder in Air Zimbabwe.
Although Air Zimbabwe has not formally announced its new chairperson, Nyemudzo, formerly chief executive of CBZ Holdings, notably attended last week’s launch of the airline’s new plane and was introduced as chairman during the event.
“While no official announcement has been made, Nyemudzo has indeed assumed the chairmanship,” said a source familiar with the matter. “Given her role as Mutapa chairperson and the recent transfer of AirZim to Mutapa’s portfolio, her continued leadership at Air Zimbabwe would have presented a potential conflict of interest.”
Mutapa, formerly the Sovereign Wealth Fund of Zimbabwe, is a national pool of resources established in 2014 with the goal of securing long-term prosperity for future generations.
Funded by public equities, commodity royalties, and Government allocations, it aims to generate sustainable returns through well-chosen investments, drive economic growth and social progress by funding infrastructure and initiatives as well as acting as a buffer against economic shocks and unforeseen circumstances.
Meanwhile Mtasa, a prominent figure in Zimbabwe’s business landscape, stepped down from her position as a non-executive director at Zimplats, effective January 8.
Mtasa, whose contributions included chairing the board’s audit and risk committee, served on the board, since her election in October 2019.
Her resignation marks the departure of a key figure who played a significant role in shaping Zimplats’ governance and risk management practices.
Mtasa’s journey began with a strong foundation in accounting. She earned an Honours Degree in Accounting from the University of Zimbabwe and later sharpened her skills further with an Executive Management Development Certificate from Wharton Business School, USA. This dedication to learning and development set the stage for her impressive career.
Throughout her career, Mtasa has leveraged her expertise to build competitive advantages for various companies, including TelOne and Rainbow Tourism Group.
Her achievements extend beyond business success, as she actively contributes to empowering women and girls in Zimbabwe. This dedication was recognised with an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy Degree in Business Management from the Women’s University in Africa.
