The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube
Business Correspondent
ZIMPAPERS’ The Manica Post and Diamond FM ruled the roost and continue to be exceptional in reporting on community and environmental issues after winning the excellence in community and social impact awards at the Corporate Social Responsibility awards held at a local hotel last Friday.
The Manica Post’s Liberty Dube and Diamond FM’s Mercy Ngwebvu also scooped awards during the same night.
In a speech read on her behalf by Manicaland Provincial Coordinator, Mr Edgars Seenza, Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Nokuthula Matsikenyere, said the awards would go a long way in challenging and encouraging others to invest in corporate social responsibility programmes.
“I wish we constantly remember that the environment we live in does not belong to us, but is borrowed from future generations. It is, therefore, time we save tomorrow, today.
“If we empower our communities and uplift people’s livelihoods that will have ripple effects, both to our businesses, and our people.
“I am very excited that Government is happy to work with all stakeholders so that we can collectively overcome obstacles arising from increasing inequality and a slowdown of productivity and growth,” said Minister Matsikenyere.
She added: “EMA is not only looking into environmental management through legislative punitive provisions for offenders, but also the positive contribution of responsible business players. Hence, the nexus of environmental stewardship and corporate social responsibility.”
Green Fuel won the Excellence Community Empowerment, Higher Life Foundation, Plan International and Halsted’s Mutare scooped the Excellence in Community Empowerment awards respectively.
One of Vumba’s leading hotels, White Horse Inn, owned by Mr Frank Marembo came out tops in the Business Sector category, while Willowton Group won the Social Impact and Environmental Compliance Award.
World Vision Manicaland won the Excellence in Community Empowerment Award, while Africa University scooped the Excellence in Community Education Award. Nyaradzo Group Mutare came out tops in the Environmental Stewardship and Social Impact category.
Peelchart Investments owned by youthful businessman, Mr Tafadzwa Mazani scooped the Excellence in Community Support category, while Rusape commercial farmer, Mr Shepherd Nyika was this year’s Beacon of Philanthropy Award winner.
Businessman and musician, Mr Brian Samaita won the Social Impact Award, while ZBC’s Kenias Chivhuzhe won the Top Sustainability Reporter of the year Award.
Winners interviewed on the sidelines of the ceremony, said they were humbled to be honoured.
Ms Emma Parirenyatwa, who is the Friends of the Vumba Board of Trustees chairperson, said: “Friends of the Vumba (FOTV) is an association that is primarily made up of residents of Vumba, but also people who love the area and want to see its natural beauty being preserved. We were very humbled to receive the award. FOTV has worked hard to push the conservation agenda in Vumba with limited resources. This award shows that our efforts have not been in vain.”
Mr Samaita, who last year bagged the Philanthropy of the year Award, said he was elated and humbled by the recognition.
“It is an honour to be recognised for the impact that I have been making in the society. I am looking forward for the national competitions and it is a great feeling being appreciated for the good deeds you will be doing to the society,” he said.
Said Mr Marembo: “It is quite an honour to be recognised during these trying times when the Covid-19 pandemic is wreaking havoc and having a telling effect on the tourism industry.”
