For more than two decades, Edith Mugarisanwa has built her career around a simple but powerful principle: excellence in execution is fundamental to the success of any organisation or national programme.
From the boardroom corridors of Zesa Holdings to major national events and community development initiatives, Mugarisanwa has distinguished herself through professionalism, precision and an unwavering commitment to service.
Her contribution has now received further recognition after she recently won the Executive Personal Assistant Extraordinaire Excellence Award from the Global Achievers Network, an accolade that underscores her impact as an executive support professional and her contribution to institutional and national programmes.
The award is a fitting recognition for a career spanning more than 20 years at Zesa Holdings, where she has worked in demanding environments requiring discretion, organisation, strategic coordination and an exceptional eye for detail.
As personal assistant to the managing director at Zesa Enterprises, Mugarisanwa operates at the intersection of executive leadership and institutional delivery. Her responsibilities include coordinating high-level meetings, board engagements, international travel, investor engagements and state-related programmes, where even the smallest detail can have significant consequences.
Her professional journey has placed her at the centre of some of the country's most important engagements, including Presidential visits, parliamentary portfolio meetings and major corporate programmes.
Yet, for Mugarisanwa, excellence is not simply about being present when important events take place. It is about ensuring that everything behind the scenes works seamlessly.
“For me, service starts with discipline, being prepared, keeping details accurate, and supporting people to do their best work. When everything is properly coordinated, the entire programme becomes stronger.”
It is this philosophy that has seen her move beyond the traditional confines of executive assistance and become an important contributor to institutional capacity building.
Over the years, Mugarisanwa has mentored and trained numerous secretaries, sharing the experience and standards she has acquired throughout her career. Through initiatives such as annual secretaries' conventions, she has contributed to strengthening the administrative profession and promoting higher standards of executive support.
Her influence has therefore extended beyond the executives she supports to the wider professional community.
From the boardroom to national programmes
One of the defining features of Mugarisanwa's career has been her ability to translate her corporate expertise into national programmes.
A notable example was the 2024 Independence Day celebrations in Mutare, where she coordinated the Miss Uhuru programme in collaboration with the Office of the President and Cabinet.
The assignment required extensive planning, stakeholder coordination and attention to detail — qualities that have become synonymous with her professional approach.
“National programmes carry responsibility. You have to plan early, communicate clearly, and ensure every detail supports the bigger purpose. I experienced exactly that with the Miss Uhuru coordination in 2024 and I thank the organisers and my superiors for the opportunity.”
For Mugarisanwa, such assignments represent more than professional opportunities. They are opportunities to contribute to the country.
“I am honoured to have served my country by making sure that I face every challenge I am given with great humility, commitment and professionalism.”
Her recent involvement in the STEM Mentorship and Educational Tour with St Hughes Ushwokunze Secondary School in Dema, supported by Zesa Enterprises through its corporate social responsibility programme, further demonstrates this commitment.
The initiative brought together government officials and other prominent stakeholders, including ministers, the Junior Parliament president and team, the STEM Lady and businesswoman Zodwa Mkandla.
Mkandla also supported the programme through a contribution towards the construction of a laboratory at the school, strengthening the educational infrastructure available to learners.
Mugarisanwa's role in the coordination and organisation of such engagements reflects the often-unseen work required to turn ambitious programmes into successful interventions.
Excellence beyond recognition
While the Global Achievers Network award has brought her achievements into the spotlight, Mugarisanwa's career demonstrates that recognition is a consequence of sustained performance rather than an end in itself.
Her earlier nomination for the Top Leadership and Strategic Support Executive Assistant of the Year Award 2026 had already highlighted her growing recognition within professional circles.
The latest award, however, provides another milestone in a career defined by consistency.
For Mugarisanwa, excellence is closely linked to national development because effective institutions depend on people who can execute their responsibilities with discipline, integrity and commitment.
“The nomination alone is a big honour for me and I thank the organisers for recognising my contribution to national development through effective execution of duty at corporate level.”