eBusiness Weekly
James Makamba: Born 1962 in Shamva.
He is an entrepreneur and founder of Kestrel Corporation, an empowerment vehicle
Kestrel owns shares in Telecel Zimbabwe through Empowerment Corporation together with other affirmative empowerment groups.
Makamba sat on the boards of IBBAMO Foundation, JHL Investments, Thurlow and Company, the Kestrel Corporation (Pty) Ltd, African Business Connect, Makamba & Associates, Telecel Zimbabwe among others.
He holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from California Coast University.
In 2012, Makamba was awarded an honorary doctorate in Business Leadership from St Linus University, Dominica.
Makamaba ended 12 years of self-imposed exile when he returned home in December last year, after the fall of former president Mugabe, with whom he was alleged to have fallen out.
The businessman skipped bail and fled the country as he was charged with violating the Exchange Control Act.
He was being charged with allegedly externalising £3,7 million, $2,1 million and about R15 million.
Makamba also had a successful career in commercial broadcasting, having started off broadcasting before independence in 1980 on Channel 2 of the Rhodesian Broadcasting Corporation. The businessman has also had an up and down career in politics.
