By Tonderai Ndemera
Ruvimbo Nyikadzino is a jack of all trades — she is a journalist, presenter, motivational speaker, brand owner and preacher, all rolled into one.
Over the years, she has optimised her social media presence, making her one of the most sought-after bloggers on Facebook and Twitter.
“I put most of my time into social media and I hardly have hobbies outside work. I love my free time though and I use it to rest and gather my thoughts, maybe take walks and get some fresh air, but once I get an Idea I’ll be back at work busy putting it together,” she told Standard Style last Thursday.
A Bachelor of Arts in English and Kiswahili degree graduate from the University of Zimbabwe, Ruvimbo, as she is fondly known, says she fell in love with the media at a later stage in life, adding that she was inspired by local radio and television personality Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa and international television host Oprah Winfrey.
“I fell in love with media late in high school and the passion now just drives me to report. It comes naturally for me now,” she said.
“I am inspired by Ruvheneko and Oprah Winfrey. However, most of my motivation came from the debate and public speaking awards I got in high school. I thought it was something just pastime then.
“I didn’t go to school for it really, I mean l was in the debate and public speaking club since Form 1 and later became a member of the toast masters when l was in Lower 6. Once I realised I had the skills, I worked towards acquiring the material needed to make the vision a reality.”
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On the flipside, Ruvimbo is a philanthropist and clergywoman, leading a youth organisation called Zimbabwe Youth Talent Association. She is a member of the Christ Embassy fellowship where she engages youths in Bible teaching.
“I preach the gospel of entrepreneurship to the young ones and I believe in creating from what is there, as opposed to waiting on employment,” she said.
Her indefatigable efforts resulted in two children receiving scholarships from a group of United Kingdom-based well-wishers.
“I have learnt that once you put God first in your life and give Him all the glory in all your achievements, you will be amazed of how God will keep on opening doors for you even when you don’t notice,” she said.
She says her biggest challenge she has had to overcome is herself. The procrastination and the personal limits she had previously considered as barring to her success.
“I have set a 10-year goal for myself, targeted achievements that I aim to fulfil within the time. I want to be an internationally-acclaimed media personality by then, to be the name someone mentions as their inspiration for their own success and to change the self-limiting perspective that some young girls have,” she said.
“I am very grateful for all the support I get and am prepared to offer the same to anyone who comes to my door with a need and a purpose.”
Ruvimbo was born and raised in Mufakose, Harare, where she attended Rusununguko Primary School before moving to Mufakose 2 High School and Mufakose 1 High School for her O’ Level and A’ Level respectively.
