Zainab Ansell, the founder and owner of Zara Tanzania Adventures, has been honoured with the prestigious Malikia wa Nguvu Award in employment creation in the tourism industry at the Clouds Media Group’s annual gala. Ms Zainab’s company is one of Tanzania’s most prominent tour companies. She employs nearly 1,410 people on a permanent and seasonal basis, contributing to addressing the country’s significant social and economic challenge of unemployment.
Ms. Zainab is not only a successful businesswoman but also a philanthropist who is making a difference in the lives of many Tanzanians. Her efforts have transformed thousands of lives, particularly those of vulnerable groups. She is helping the marginalized Maasai community, who live in the areas surrounding tourist attractions, to benefit from tourism by empowering them to make and sell beads and carvings to tourists. She has also built a school for Maasai children under seven years old, providing them with free education.
Additionally, Ms. Zainab has been bankrolling various training sessions, including first aid, beginners’ English, HIV and AIDS education, and financial management, for nearly 900 porters. She has also initiated the Zara Charity, which aims to create a global movement on sustainable tourism by giving back to the community through the network of travel industry partners, organizations, travelers, and global citizens interested in supporting vulnerable groups in Tanzania.
Ms. Zainab’s success is remarkable, especially considering that she started as a former employee of Air Tanzania in the 1980s before quitting to start her tour and air tickets company. As a woman in the tourism industry, she fought hard in a male-dominated society and emerged triumphant. She has touched thousands of lives with her rare personality traits, enabling her to make a difference in the lives of many Tanzanians.
Ms. Zainab’s contribution to Tanzania’s tourism industry cannot be overstated. Her efforts have created employment opportunities and empowered vulnerable groups, particularly women and children, who have been historically marginalized and oppressed. She is a true heroine of Tanzania’s tourism industry and an inspiration to many young Tanzanians, especially women, who aspire to make a difference in their communities.