Matsa scoops top award
THE owner of King Solomon Hotels in Kwekwe, Mr Solomon Matsa, won the businessperson of the year award during the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce ( ZNCC) Midlands Province Annual Business Awards ceremony held in Gweru last week.
The f i r st runner up i n the businessperson of the year category was Dr Gerald Zhou of Inclusive Financial Services.
Mrs Memory Mugadza, who has pharmacies in Gweru and Zvishavane, won the businesswoman of the year, with Mrs Shashore Ketina who has IT companies coming in second.
Mr Kudzai Nyika of Pote Holdings won the manager of the year award, with Mr Temba Ngwena from the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company coming second.
Zimasco came first in the ferro alloy exporters category, with African Chrome Fields walking away as the first runner up and Natuyos Investments second runner up.
In the precious minerals category, Mimosa Mines were winner with Unki Mines and Murowa Diamonds coming i n second and third respectively.
The innovation award went to Kwekwe Polytechnic and the Small to Medium Enterprises supporting bank award went to Inclusive Financial Services.
Mr Matsa said he was overwhelmed by the award, adding that the Zimbabwe is open for business mantra was the right direction for the country.
“We are with the President ( Mnangagwa), we are with the l eadership and we think the Zimbabwe is open for business mantra is the one that was missing in the past 37 years,” he said.
“The country needs business to get somewhere and it’s only the Zimbabweans who can rally behind President Mnangagwa to drive the country into prosperity.”
Mr Matsa, who has interests in the tourism and hospitality industry and property development among other businesses, said with the new dispensation, the country was on the right track in terms of socioeconomic development.
“I feel proud, I feel blessed and I feel honoured by my own people,” he said. “It is a real big night for me and my family and all Zimbabweans because this is our only place we call home and I will do my best to try my best to make Zimbabwe a better country.”
Dr Zhou said he was happy with the new developments which were happening in the country and the Government thrust to revive the economy.
“We feel the economy is now even more open for business,” he said. “We have five branches in Midlands and we are rolling out new products in line with new prospects in the country.
“Our aim is to make sure we put money, real wealth in the hands of the people.”
Dr Zhou said they will continue supporting S ME’s , mi c r o entrepreneurs and small holder farmers under the new dispensation, which he said had a thrust in wealth creation for everyone.
Midlands province outgoing ZNCC chairperson Dr Tinashe Manzungu said this was the time for business to grow under the new dispensation.
“Our country is going on a positive direction as witnessed by the Zimbabwe is open for business mantra,” he said. “We are now networking, showcasing and inviting investors as we work towards utilising the opportunities opened by the President through a basket of business opportunities which he has led to their opening.”
Over 17 categories were contested for at the awards ceremony.