The ManicaPost
Business Reporter
THE star continues to shine for the Mutasa-born Herentals Group of Colleges and Schools’ chief executive Dr Innocent Dambudzo Benza and his wife, Mrs Patience Benza, after being named 2017 businessman and businesswoman of the year respectively.
The two were honoured by the Zimbabwe Business Awards Council at a function held at a Harare hotel this week. The Zimbabwe Business Awards Council, chaired by Dr Enricho Sibanda, honours businesses doing well and complementing Government’s efforts in resuscitating the economy.
Herentals College, which has a branch in Mutare, was also named the top college in the 2017 Education and Academic Leadership Excellence category.
Mrs Benza is the group’s finance director.
3 branches countrywide
Having started from humble beginnings, Herentals has grown to be one of the biggest groups of colleges and schools in the country and now boasts 33 branches countrywide. Their enrolment starts at Early Child Development to professional courses. It also has private primary schools and colleges.
The group will soon be celebrating two decades of existence. A member of the group’s administration and spokesperson, Mr Kudakwashe Kasian Remba, said: “It has been a long journey that we as Herentals College family have travelled in business. The recognition through these awards is actually an honour which will motivate us to work harder.
“Herentals has been honoured by Zimbabwe Business Awards Council for the past three years, but this year is our best year. We managed to scoop three awards which is a big achievement for us.”
Early this year, the group also scooped a Megafest award, while last year they were honoured by the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce for their outstanding work in education development.
Rebranding
“We appreciate the efforts being made by management, staff, parents, students and various stakeholders in making Herentals Group the best brand ever,” said Mr Benza.
Last year the group achieved very good results in Grade 7, O-Level and A-Level ZIMSEC national examinations.
“These achievements are a result of Herentals Group of Colleges and Schools’ sound leadership qualities of Dr Innocent Dambudzo Benza.
We have retained these awards from 2015 to date, meaning we are maintaining our quality standards which remain recognised nationally.
“We shall continue working hard being driven by our 2017 theme of ‘Fortification, Rebranding and Growth,” said Mr Remba.
