A God-fearing mother, wife, qualified accountant, baker, mentor, and jack of all trades, Zamani Nkondo turned her passion for entrepreneurship—nurtured from the age of eight while helping out in her father’s retail pharmacy—into a calling to support a community of female entrepreneurs.
“In the first five years of running my accounting firm, I made countless mistakes and often felt isolated. Some mistakes were so costly and discouraging that I nearly gave up. What kept me going was the mentorship of my parents, who are both entrepreneurs, and the exposure I gained through networking platforms like BNI (Business Network International). I learnt that business can be a lonely and intimidating journey, but it doesn’t have to be,” says Nkondo.
Creating a Safe Space for Entrepreneurs
After accumulating a decade’s worth of experience in entrepreneurship, Nkondo realised that she had more than enough experience and was capable of creating a safe environment where women could exchange ideas, gain support, and share their business stories with confidence. This discovery led to the birth of GMZ Women in Business, a strong community for businesswomen.
“My initial plan was to incorporate accounting and tax education into our monthly programme and make professional services more accessible through my firm. Since then, GMZ has evolved into a broader empowerment platform. We now collaborate with various thought leaders to deliver skills development across multiple fields,” she says.
After five years of driving the financial literacy component of GMZ Women in Business, the organisation has now partnered with Niche Accounting, allowing Zamani to dedicate more of her efforts to mentorship, which is the heartbeat of GMZ.
As a purpose-driven business that aims to create safe, non-judgemental spaces for women in entrepreneurship, Nkondo finds herself in positions where she is exposed to personal matters. “It’s almost impossible to separate the personal from the professional when working with women. During check-ins, members often share personal challenges because, as women, our lives are deeply interconnected. I often reflect on the Proverbs 31 woman whose many roles overlap seamlessly. When one area of life is struggling, it inevitably affects how she shows up in business.”
When personal challenges arise, the GMZ community can lean on the professionals within the network, including a life coach, psychologist, and an occupational therapist. This enables members to receive the right support while continuing to progress in their business journey.
A Glimpse Into GMZ
Joining GMZ begins with a registration form where entrepreneurs share their company details and set 12-month goals. Once registered, they select from three membership packages, each tailored to the stage of their business.
“Our strongest value offering lies in connecting members with strategic partners who provide critical services at discounted rates. Two of our most impactful partnerships have been with HOI Marketing (social media management) and Niche Accounting (accounting services),” she explains.
Members on the flagship Baobab Package have their growth tracked closely through regular check-ins, feedback loops, and accountability partnerships, allowing them to benefit from the evident results.
Members on the Acacia and Jacaranda Packages grow at their own pace, with progress largely shaped by their participation and consistency in attending monthly sessions.
“GMZ equips women not only to start businesses but also to stay in business. Each month, we create a marketplace where women can trade, learn, and be inspired to persevere. We’re here to remind women that they don’t have to walk their entrepreneurial journey alone.”
The Essence of GMZ
Nkondo reflects on their biggest win, being the countless testimonials of women gaining new clients and opportunities through referrals within the GMZ community. “Those success stories remind me daily why this platform matters,” she says.
She continued to highlight that the basis of the community is reciprocity amongst its members. Thus, the vision isn’t resting solely on her shoulders. It multiplies through every member who participates, making GMZ a living, growing ecosystem of women empowering women.
“At GMZ, we don’t measure a woman’s worth by revenue or profit. Instead, we value her contribution to the community. Support takes many forms — sharing knowledge, offering encouragement, or opening doors for others. Time and again, women who came in hoping to “withdraw” left transformed after discovering the power of giving,” Nkondo concludes.
