The Sunday News
Wilson Dakwa and Kiyapili Sibanda, Business Reporters
PROMINENT businesspersons Dr Rangarirai Tatenda Gunda and Mr Busisa Moyo scooped this year’s Businesswoman and Businessman of the Year Awards respectively at the Megafest Southern Region awards ceremony held in Bulawayo on Friday.
Dr Gunda who runs Tatenda Safaris in Victoria Falls thanked her family and colleagues for the support they have given her.
“I would like to thank my family and colleagues for it is because of their support that I am where I am now,” said Dr Gunda.
Mr Moyo who is the chief executive for United Refineries Limited (URL)’s award was received by a representative from his organisation on his behalf as he was said to be out of the country. M & M Joyous’ Mrs Eunice Dlamini and Mrs Nhamo Tshuma of Sethule Lodge were the first and second runner-ups in the Businesswoman of the Year Award category.
Lupane State University Vice-Chancellor Professor Pardon Kuipa walked away with the Chief Executive of the Year Award while Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) Western Region general manager Engineer Lovemore Chinaka won the Manager of the Year Award.
LSU Pro-Vice-Chancellor Dr Nomathemba Ndiweni won the Female Manager of the Year Award while Mr Nathan Mpofu of Devere Group won the Young Manager of the Year Award.
Zimbabwe School of Mines chief executive officer Mr Dzingirai Tusai who was the guest of honour at the award ceremony said there was a need for innovation, value addition and creation of an environment which promotes business competitiveness.
“It is our duty to build our nation so that it is able to continue to regain its competitiveness. An award is empty if it’s not backed by future achievements. The winner here are examples for other industry leaders who wish to be recognised as outstanding,” said Mr Tusai.
Mr Tusai added that Megafest awards have the capacity to also accommodate the Southern Africa Development Community region.
“Megafest should be commended for the job they have done in the past nine years to promote and recognise business players who are excelling in industry. I would like to challenge Megafest to think beyond the boundaries of Zimbabwe and have Sadc Megafest Business Awards so that we also learn from our counterparts in the region,” he said.
Megafest Holdings chief executive officer Dr Tafadzwa Matsika said his organisation will consider extending the reach of the awards into the region.
DSK Electricals managing director Mr Worthwhile Mugabe won the Outstanding Businessperson Award. He also won the Excellent Business Personality Award along with Mr Warren King of Safe Guard and Mr Gerald Zhou of Inclusive Financial Service.
Mr Zhou went on to win the 1st runner-up for Young Manager of the Year while his microfinance institution also won the Best Marketed Organisation along with Fawcett Security.
Managing directors of Fazak, Macdonald Bricks and Brotherhood School of Motoring Mr Zak Hawa, Mr Lonely Nyathi and Mr Petros Moyo won the Industrialist of the Year awards.
Zimpapers Digital and Printing Division finance manager Mr Godwin Takundwa and Mr Andrea Gozhorai, a sales executive both won exemplary team leader awards. Hawkflight Construction scooped the Best Service Provider Award while URL and Ingwebu Breweries scooped the Customer Focus Award.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Dr Matsika added that there was need to implement cost effective machinery and mechanisms so as to promote competitiveness.
“Cost of production is high and we need to look at things from a holistic perspective and look at certain parameters. Some of the machinery which are being used at industry need to be replaced because they are too old. We need cost effective manufacturing tools which will also encourage efficiency,” said Dr Matsika. -@WilsonDakwa1
