The Sunday News
Judith Phiri, Business Reporter
THE Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, Honourable Raj Modi, has commended the Marketers Association of Zimbabwe (MAZ) for hosting the first-ever Southern Region awards, saying that was in line with Government’s devolution agenda.
The inaugural Southern Region Exceptional Marketing Awards were hosted by MAZ under the theme: “Strong brands: Link to regional growth.”
“The theme for the awards, ‘Strong brands: Link to regional growth,’ is apt as it resonates with Government’s thrust of devolution. As you may be aware, Government is implementing economic devolution where provinces and districts will act as economic hubs competing with each other to attract investment and transform themselves into economic zones with own Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to ensure sustainable and equitable development of the country,” said Deputy Minister Modi who was the Guest of Honour at the event held in Bulawayo on Friday.
He said there was a need for strong brands from the Southern Region that will spur economic growth in all the provinces. He said in the previous years, Bulawayo was the economic hub of the country and as Government they were working together with the private sector to ensure that it returns to its former glory as well as all the other provinces through the devolution agenda.
“The years 2020 and 2021 have not been easy for both business and the general population at large due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Businesses suffered a lot and also families lost their loved ones during the pandemic but we have to be resilient and find ways of soldiering on and keeping afloat. We implore the private sector to be part of the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) which is the economic blueprint for our country.”
MAZ president Professor Zororo Muranda said the wards were meant to recognise and celebrate marketing excellence from the southern region.
“The success of our economy as a country or as a region in Zimbabwe lies in the ability of our businesses to project our product brands. Central to the success of our businesses in the region are the brands we manufacture or the services that define us in the domestic or international market,” said Prof Muranda.
He said with the awards held concurrently with the ZITF 2021 MAZ chose to complement debate around the new normal, its realities and opportunities. Prof Muranda said businesses should focus on building strong brands that can be admired brand integrity.
“Local brands must leverage their knowledge of the local consumer and create a brand identity that appeals to the customers. Brands used to be associated with market niches focusing on the elite. This is no longer the case as brands are now a necessity for every business and every market segment.”
Awards were presented in 15 categories each with three nominees. Ingwebu Breweries dominated the awards winning in Best Southern Region Video / TV Advert of the Year 2021, Best Southern Region Jingle / Radio Advert of the Year 2021 and the Best Southern Region Print Advert of the Year 2021.
The Exceptional Southern Region Corporate Social Responsibility Campaign of the Year 2021 award was scooped by the United Refineries Limited for their hospital donations during the Covid-19 pandemic period. ZITF marketing and public relations manager Ms Doreen Dzamatira walked away with the Southern Region Public Relations Practitioner of the Year 2021 award.
The Southern Region Top Marketer (Executive) of the Year 2021 award went to PPC Zimbabwe sales and marketing manager Mr Nkosana Mapuma. Ingwebu Breweries managing director, Mr Dumisani Mhlanga walked away with the Southern Region Marketing Oriented CEO/ Managing Director of the Year 2021 award.
Other accolades: Outdoor Media Advert of the Year 2021, Macdonalds Bricks; Social Media and Digital Marketing Campaign of the Year 2021, Bulawayo Chiefs Football Club; Best website for 2021, Edgars; Customer Experience of the Year, Holiday Inn Hotel; New Product or Innovation of the Year, PPC Surerange; Marketing Oriented SME of the Year, Cake Fairy; Services Supplier of the Year, Impressions Graphics; Promotional Campaign of the Year, URL – The Unity Mealie Meal Win A Cow Promotion; Top Marketer (Executive) of the Year, Nkosana Mapuma.
