Prominent Zimbabwean gospel musician and corporate executive Everton Mlalazi has been appointed to the newly reconstituted board of OK Zimbabwe, a strategic move widely interpreted as part of the retailer’s broader effort to stabilise and reposition itself in a challenging commercial environment.
Mlalazi’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment for OK Zimbabwe, which operates the largest supermarket chain in the country by store numbers. The retailer has struggled over the past few years with financial strain, liquidity constraints, supply chain disruptions, and declining sales volumes. At 43, Mlalazi brings a rare combination of entrepreneurial drive, strategic insight, and people-centred leadership, qualities honed both in business and the creative economy. Observers see his inclusion as a deliberate signal that OK Zimbabwe is prioritising fresh perspectives, ethical governance, and disciplined execution to restore confidence among investors, suppliers, and customers alike.
Mlalazi is widely recognised across Zimbabwe and the region for his musical excellence and entrepreneurial vision. He is the founder of The Vine Music Ministry and Worship Therapy Choirs, and a member of the internationally acclaimed gospel ensemble Spirit of Praise. Under his guidance, these ventures have thrived in highly competitive environments, gaining recognition not just for artistic quality but also for sound governance, strong brand positioning, and the ability to mobilise teams around a common vision.
These same qualities—strategic thinking, organisational resilience, and the ability to inspire stakeholders—are directly transferable to the boardroom. Those familiar with Mlalazi describe him as a leader who blends commercial realism with emotional intelligence, an approach particularly valuable in turnaround situations that require difficult decisions and stakeholder buy-in.
Gospel Star Everton Mlalazi Joins OK Zimbabwe Board Amid Turnaround Efforts
Mlalazi’s appointment is part of a broader overhaul of OK Zimbabwe’s board, approved during the company’s annual general meeting in December 2025. Other new non-executive directors include Charles Msipa, Brian Mabiza, Tawanda Masose, and Tracy Mutaviri. Long-serving board chair Herbert Nkala stepped down after seven years at the helm, while several other directors resigned in line with conditions tied to the company’s US$30.4 million capital raise earlier in the year.
The recapitalisation, which combined a rights issue with selective property disposals, was aimed at restoring solvency and operational stability. It reflects management’s broader strategy to rebuild financial resilience, strengthen supplier relationships, and prepare the business for sustainable growth in a volatile retail sector.
The new board inherits a company emerging from one of the toughest periods in its history. OK Zimbabwe’s half-year results to 30 September 2025 revealed a net loss of US$17.81 million, with sales volumes declining sharply due to stock shortages, cash flow difficulties, and temporary store closures.
Management has taken decisive measures to stabilise operations, including closing non-viable outlets, rationalising the workforce, intensifying cost controls, and settling approximately half of outstanding supplier debts. These steps aim to lay a solid foundation for recovery while protecting the company’s core assets and customer base.
Within this context, Everton Mlalazi’s presence on the board is expected to add both strategic clarity and moral authority. His experience in building resilient organisations from the ground up, managing reputational capital, and inspiring stakeholder trust is seen as a critical asset in guiding OK Zimbabwe through its current turnaround.
His approach combines practical business acumen with a commitment to ethical governance, a factor increasingly regarded as essential in maintaining confidence among investors, suppliers, and customers. By leveraging his leadership skills and stakeholder credibility, Mlalazi is well-positioned to contribute to the board’s decision-making on complex financial, operational, and strategic issues.
OK Zimbabwe now faces the task of translating strategic plans into tangible results. With a revitalised board that blends corporate expertise, fresh perspectives, and leadership credibility, the company is seeking to restore profitability, strengthen its supply chain, and re-establish its position as a trusted and reliable supermarket chain.
Mlalazi’s appointment underscores a broader trend in Zimbabwean business: the integration of creative and corporate leadership to drive performance, ethical governance, and sustainable growth. As OK Zimbabwe navigates this critical phase, stakeholders are watching closely to see how new leadership will translate vision into results, restore confidence, and position the retailer for long-term success.
Source- ZimEye
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