Proton marks 1 year in Byo
experiences.
“The bread is always fresh, you can never find stale Proton bread, and the jumbo buns are big and so creamy. The candy cakes are so fresh with icing that is so sweet and delicious. That’s what I like about Proton,” Ms Maseko explained.
When the bakers entered Bulawayo, they had not only promised superior products but a mutually beneficial partnership with the city. As such, the bakers identified areas of need and started lending a helping hand.
Less than a month after opening their doors to the public, Proton Bakers underlined their environmental awareness by donating ten rubbish bins to the Nkulumane community.
“There’s a real need for these litter bins in my constituency especially at clinics and shopping centres which will be prioritised during allocation,” said Nkulumane Member of Parliament, Cde Killian Sibanda upon receiving the waste disposal facilities.
Proton also assumed community responsibility by supporting law enforcement initiatives in Bulawayo. In particular, the bread maker partnered the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) when they re-launched their Client Service Charter in Njube suburb.
The Charter encourages police officers to be diligent in serving and safeguarding the public. Proton was present in solidarity, contributing through dressing some of the participants and rewarding excellent officers with prizes.
In addition, Proton immediately became an active participant in various sporting activities around the city by contributing towards prizes for the Bulawayo Pool Association (BPA)’s Easter tournament and dressing all umpires and officials for the competition.
Mr and Ms ZITF 2017 was also a beneficiary of similar incentives to participants in an event which saw Proton partner Bulawayo powerhouses like PPC Zimbabwe in sponsoring the body building contest. In 2018, the company also sponsored the Mr and Ms Bodybuilding and Strongman Championships.
Proton Bakers enabled the holding of the inaugural Bulawayo mini football association tournament in 2017.
Mini football is a blended version of conventional five and eleven a-side modes of soccer, comprising two teams with six players each, on a smaller outdoor field with two referees controlling the game from pitch sides.
Although the game is relatively new in Zimbabwe and its association in Bulawayo is also in its infancy stage, Proton was not deterred and ensured the tournaments’ success with prizes in cash and kind.
The highlight of the bread-makers’ honeymoon with sport came when they were unveiled as the main co-sponsors, with the Surrey Group, of the National Association of Secondary School Heads (Nash) Under-20 soccer tournament.
Proton defied a general apathy from Bulawayo companies towards the ZITF exhibition and showcased for the first time at the 2017 edition.
“I encourage local companies to exhibit at such fairs as their absence restricts them because they then miss out on a lot of business and partnerships which are both vital to survive in any cutthroat environment,” said Mr Bodzo in the days preceding the exhibition.
True to their word, Proton Bakers supported the just ended edition of ZITF.
The health sector was also a beneficiary of Proton Bakers’ benevolence with Ingutsheni Central Hospital and Sir Humphrey Gibbs Training Centre - a rehabilitation centre for children living with disabilities - both receiving daily bread supplies.
To enable better interaction with their customers, Proton Bakers engaged Skyz Metro FM presenters BKay and TKP as their Bulawayo based brand ambassadors.
According to BKay, representing Proton is an enjoyable and easy task because their products sell themselves.
“Initially, TKP and I were asked by Skyz Metro FM to work with Proton during their introductory road shows around the city. This partnership became long-term when Proton Bakers started sponsoring the Pick a Crumb programme which runs daily during our 2 to 6 PM Rea Vaya Drive show,” said BKay.
The brand ambassador added that through these partnerships, he had witnessed Proton’s commitment to giving back to the community by blessing some children with school fees vouchers.
Proton Bakers have also expanded their scope of involvement in the arts by contributing as a sponsor of the second edition of the Bulawayo Arts Awards (BAA), slated for May 26.
Although Proton won the hearts of many with its hands-on approach towards business and civil engagement, the most refreshing news was the employment opportunities it offered the people of Bulawayo.
Having started operations with a staff complement of about 50 employees, to cope up with growing demand for Proton products, the firm has been increasing its workforce which now stands at close to triple the original number.