The Sunday News
Peter Matika Senior Leisure Reporter
A BULAWAYO-BASED entrepreneur has managed to land a top leadership post in the Junior Chamber International Zimbabwe (JCI), where he will be tasked with overseeing that Zimbabwean youths affiliated to the organisation are equipped with practical leadership skills that will see them making positive development in their communities.
JCI is a youth-based organisation seeking to empower youths across the world with practical skills in an endevour to positively contribute to the many communities in the world.
Born in December 1979, Mathew Mutavayi was appointed Zimbabwe National president about a month ago at a ceremony held in Harare.
Mathew, who has been affiliated to JCI since 2004, has held various positions, which have enabled him to create a large contact forum both locally and internationally, inevitably leading him to be elected to his current position.
In an interview with Sunday Leisure, Mutavayi said he was honoured and humbled to have been awarded the opportunity to lead the youth.
“As I will be national president for the term of 2015, where we will be running under the theme, Feel the impact #StepUp and celebrating 100 years of existence, I hope to make a positive change and impact on the youth. We will be carrying out philanthropy based projects with many institutions. We also aim at reviving some youth institutions and centres that have been rendered non-operational,” he said.
Mutavayi said the projects carried out by JCI afforded individuals a chance to enhance their practical learning skills, which would assist them in the future.
“We seek to practise active citizenship, as a contribution to society as well as to encourage an attitude of service and philanthropy among fellow citizens. We are a membership-based non-profit organisation made up of young people aged 18 to 40, in at least about 100 countries across the world. Each JCI member shares the belief that in order to create lasting positive change, we must improve ourselves and the world around us. We plan our work around solutions to the unique problems in our communities to build a better world and create a positive global impact,” he said.
Mutavayi also highlighted JCI’s mission of empowering and equipping the youths across the country and the globe with relevant entrepreneurial skills that would see them making positive changes in their communities.
“JCI’s mission is to provide development opportunities that empower young people to create positive change. Our organisation seeks to be the leading global network of young active citizens. In doing so, we hope to have youths that have faith in God, who gives meaning and purpose to human life, guided by the belief that the brotherhood of man transcends the sovereignty of nations. The economic justice can best be won by free men through free enterprise. The earth’s great treasure lies in human personality and that service to humanity is the best work of life,” he said mentioning a few key values of the organisation.
Mutavayi is of the belief that all things are possible and is motivated by his spiritual belief, principles and community engagements.
“I am a goal getter who is very assertive and a well groomed crisis manager, as I am a risk manager by profession. I hold a Risk Management Executive Diploma in Business Leadership. I also hold a diploma in Credit Control, Human Resources and Management. I am currently studying for a Diploma in Protocol Diplomacy and Project Management. I am also studying towards an MBA with NUST.
“These qualifications have seen me become a very active citizen who has worked with various organisations, before I started my own,” he said.
Mutavayi is the managing director at Alsfeld Trading holding company for Halfway House Hotel, Guzzlers Sports Bar, Taura Bar, country Side Cocktail Bar and Flava Clothing Trading.
He also sits on various company and organisation boards.
Since JCI was incepted in Zimbabwe about 50 years ago, Bulawayo has only had five national presidents, including Mutavayi.
During his one year term of office Mutavayi will be tasked with overseeing the development of various projects in Zimbabwe and will also be travelling to various countries in and outside Africa.
