The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube
Business Correspondent
HARDWORK and perseverance paid off for young and innovative Mutare-based businesswomen, Mrs Nomsa Chiadzwa-Chave (32) and Ms Rudo Shoko (31) who scooped top accolades during the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) business awards held at a local hotel last week.
Mrs Chiadzwa-Chave, who is the director of a learning institution, Kiddies College, and is also into retail business was this year’s businesswoman of the year, while Ms Rudo Shoko, who owns Jar Furnitures and Lulu Events, was the second runner-up in the best emerging business-of-the-year category.
Other two women who walked away with awards were Ms Martha Vhasitiri and Ms Glenda Tafura who were first and second runners-up in the businesswoman-of-the-year category.
An elated Mrs Chiadzwa-Chave told Post Business that she was humbled to be recognised.
“I feel humbled to be honoured especially after remaining afloat during the difficult period of Covid-19 pandemic when business was low. The award will spur me to do better and work harder.
“I dedicate the accolade to my family, parents and guardians of children previously and currently enrolled at our institution who have been there for us. We will continue to off excellent services,” she said.
Ms Shoko said the accolade was a blessing.
“I am overjoyed. It is a huge blessing for me and the team behind Jar Furnitures and Lulu Events. It is now two months after settling here in Mutare, and the response we have been receiving is overwhelming. It is unbelievable how we have managed to take care of our overgrowing clientele. We will continue working hard,” she said.
In the entrepreneurial resilience category, Cleverland Electrical Hardware emerged winners, while Mr Tafadzwa Mazani who is the director of Peelchart Investments, and Mr Brian Samaita of Samaita Trucking were first and second runners-up respectively.
Bigbyte Groceries and Hardware scooped the best emerging business-of-the-year award, while Eat and Lick were the first runner-up. In the excellence in urban Local Government award, City of Mutare came out tops, while Rusape Town and Chipinge Town Councils were first and second runners-up respectively.
The excellence in Rural Local Government award was scooped by Mutasa Rural District Council, while Chipinge RDC was the first runner-up.
Mega Market scooped the innovation award, and was trailed by Africa University and Mutare Teachers’ College who were first and second runners-up respectively.
AFC Commercial Bank came out tops in the customer service centred organisation category, while Zimpapers’ commercial radio station, Diamond FM and Tel-One were first and second runners-up respectively.
NSSA scooped the employer of the year award, while Nyaradzo Group and Destiny of Africa Network were first and second runners-up.
Plan International Zimbabwe ruled the roost, while Mercy Corps and City of Mutare were first and second runners up respectively in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) category.
Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) was the mining exporter-of-the-year award winner.
Border Timbers Limited scooped the manufacturing exporter-of-the-year award, while Green Fuel and Reeldon Investments were first and second runners-up.
AFC Commercial Bank managing director, Mr Ken Chitando, who was the guest of honour urged businesspeople to thrive in the face of adversity and disruptive changes.
“Corporate entities that will thrive in an environment of disruptive change have embed the art and science of harnessing the collective energies by fostering a business culture where staff at all levels ask questions.
“In an environment of disruptive change — business leaders, management and staff must promote a culture of intentional scrutiny. Almost everywhere, in every corporate entity, big or small — managing disruptive change is measurably enhanced through a culture that embeds open communication, flexibility and a readiness to learn new ways of doing business. A rigid, inflexible and regimental culture is a highway towards oblivion,” he said.
Speaking during the same event, Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourbale Nokhuthula Matsikenyiri, said Manicaland was ready to play its part in the country’s economic recovery through investments in agriculture, mining, education and tourism.
“For Manicaland, devolution will be an opportunity to grow businesses and increase our provincial Gross Domestic Product through value addition. The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about disruptive change, and it is no longer business as usual. Institutions which fail to adapt are doomed, while those which take advantage of the rising opportunities will see tremendous growth. Remember, every cloud has a silver lining.
“Government recognises the importance of the private sector as the engine of economic growth and development. The new industrialisation policy running from 2019 to 2023 is a clear plan to foster a private sector-led industrialisation and economic growth agenda in line with the National Development Strategy (NDS1) and Vision 2030,” she said.
