The Sunday News
Nqobizitha Dhlamini Sunday News Reporter
THE annual Megafest Business Awards that seek to recognise business people who have excelled in various fields in Bulawayo will be held on Friday under the theme “Fostering Economic Growth Through Innovation”.
Megafest Holdings chief executive officer, Dr Tafadzwa Matsika, said this year’s theme was inspired by the businesspeople who will be honoured during the awards.
“We chose this theme because society is full of ambitious people that lack innovation. Business practices that were relevant 10 years ago cannot be applied today with the expectation of realising full potential and profits.
“For example mobile operators concentrated on voice services a decade ago but to keep in the market they had to also offer data services that go hand in hand with the technology,” he said.
Dr Matsika said the economy needed game changers to reach its full potential.
“People are under the misconception that big companies are solely responsible for pushing economic growth and this is a toxic mentality. Even the small companies should find ways of doing things differently and play their role in reviving the economy,” he said.
Dr Matsika said people should desist from assuming that business always has to be political.
“These awards are apolitical for the specific purpose of encouraging people to press on regardless of the political situation at the time. There are many companies that have embraced the principle of innovation and have succeeded against all odds.
“We are excited to say that there are business people who will be recognised on Friday who started their own businesses after being retrenched from their jobs due to the economic situation that was prevailing in the country a few years back.
“These people entered the industry that was collapsing with innovative minds and never looked back,” he said.
More than 800 guests are expected at the event.
“The construction industry is beginning to awaken as consumers have regained confidence in the sector as evidenced by the number of residential projects running in the city. Our hope is that there will be significant growth in the industrial projects although the current structures are perfect shells for the business to commence although new equipment is needed for quality products,” said Dr Matsika.
The awards have been running for the past eight years.
