Manica Post, Diamond FM shine at Megafest Business Awards

Liberty Dube Business Correspondent
ZIMPAPERS-owned publication Manica Post and leading local radio station Diamond FM, excelled at the inaugural 2017 Megafest Eastern Region Business Awards ceremony held on Wednesday at a local hotel after they scooped the Most Consistent Organisation and Customer Focus awards respectively.

Manica Post topped, with Musangano Lodge and Mega Market coming first and second runner up, while Diamond FM was also first ahead of Inclusive Financial Services.

Diamond FM station manager, Leander Kandiero walked away with the top award for exemplary business personalities of the year 2017 Winner

Congratulating The Manica Post and Diamond FM teams, Zimpapers general manager Digital and Publishing, Mr Marks Shayamano said: “It is pleasing to be recognised in the community.

The recognition is humbling and motivating and it will spur us to work harder as an organisation. It needs collective effort and dedication to achieve such a milestone. We are excited and we will continue to work tirelessly for the growth of the organisation.”

Diamond FM manager Kandiero said: “It is a fulfilling feeling. I owe this to the team that allowed me to lead them. Both awards are a sign that we as a team are doing something right.

While the team is responsible for this, the biggest thank you goes to our audience in Mutare and Zimbabwe as a whole for the support and recognition.’’

An excited Editor of The Manica Post, Hatred Zenenga, had this to say: I am pleased, honoured and humbled to scoop this inaugural award. A very special thanks go to Team Manica Post, our valued readers and advertisers who have kept us going during a difficult period. And an enormous salute to Megafest for seeing it fit to host awards for Manicaland region. And, of course thank you to those who nominated us and supported our nomination.’’

Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Cde Monica Mutsvangwa commended Megafest for promoting and recognising outstanding businesspersons and organisations.

“It is that time we as business leaders start living a legacy with uncompromised principles because it is what we are doing today that will set a strong precedent.

I am proud to be associated with such a brand that has taken a very positive look regardless of the current discord on the ground and they are confident that Zimbabwe can have a brighter future,” she said.

The awards ceremony was held under the theme: “A brighter future for Zimbabwe is possible”.

Other winners were ZETDC who came first followed by Tel One in the public sector enterprise category. In the Most Innovative organisation category, Mutare Propshafts Centre came out tops ahead of La Rochelle and Quest Motors.

The Best marketed organisation was scooped by Eat and Lick. Holiday Inn was top in the Hotel of the year category while Troutbeck Inn and White Horse Inn were first and second runners up respectively. Professor Munashe Furusa scooped the Chief Executive Officer of the year gong while Dongo Sawmill proprietor Mr Francis Dongo won the prestigious Outstanding businessperson of the year award.

In the Outstanding Training Institution, Africa University beat Zimbabwe Open University and Mutare Poly who were first and second runners up respectively. Africa University’s Professor Pamela Machakanja was crowned Female Manager of the year beating Mrs Sarah Dube of Chipinge Town Council, Poniso Watema and Anna Holman.

Mutare City Council Town Clerk, Joshua Maligwa came out tops in the Male Manager of the year category outclassing first runner up Sam Gwatura and second runners up Clive Chinwada and Partson Makwiramiti.

Mrs Molly Mupfunya of Milestone Group of Schools was the Businesswoman of the year while the Businessman of the year was Ahmed Shiraan Muhamaad.

One of the winners, Mr Dongo said: “The awards are motivating. They motivate us to do even better. I am humbled.”