‘Megafest award winners should shine’
LEADERS who scooped accolades at the prestigious Megafest Northern Region Business Awards held in Harare recently should continue to shine in their respective positions to prove they are deserving winners, top business executive Mr Ivan Craig has said.
He made the remarks at the awards ceremony.
The Sunday Mail editor Victoria Ruzvidzo walked away with the Megafest Strategic Leader of the Year Diamond Award, while Zimpapers Business Hub editor Herbert Zharare scooped the Business Transformation Leader of the Year Platinum Award.
Station manager Capitalk 100.4 FM Nyaradzo Makombe was among top 20 outstanding women in the business, while the Zimpapers TV outfit, ZTN Prime, was named among the top 20 outstanding organisations of the year.
Mr Craig, who was guest of honour at the event, said: “Awards are not for display but a mark that is set as a reminder that once upon a time you did good. The onus is on you guys who have won the awards to prove to the nation at large that you are indeed capable.”
Ruzvidzo won in a group dominated by male executives who included Mr Nicholas Moyo of the National Arts Council, Mr Wellington
Mapedzamombe of Invictus Securities and Mr Vusisizwe Ndebele of PayNow.
Zharare came second behind businessman Mr Tapiwa Mashamhanda of Mashwede Holdings, who walked away with the diamond award.
In an interview, Ruzvidzo expressed gratitude for the opportunity she had been given to showcase her capabilities as Editor of Zimbabwe’s largest weekly paper.
“I am humbled by such recognition. Many a time we do not realise that we do not work in a vacuum but that there are people and institutions out there watching and we make an impact in our small way. To God be all the glory and honour.
“I’m most grateful to God and everyone who has helped me to achieve because this comes from teamwork, so I’m thankful to Sunday Mail and Zimpapers teams, more-so to our CEO and his team for having faith and confidence in me. My husband Wallace (Snr) and our boys have been very supportive, affording me the opportunity to give my best in my work.”
She said the award was a representation of what women could achieve if given the opportunity to show their competencies.
“As women, we have generally been regarded as second-grade citizens but this is changing now, albeit slowly. Women are now being recognised; it makes it even more exciting to have been selected as top among men. I don’t feel constricted that I am a woman anymore. I have been given the platform to showcase what I can do.
“This also means that those that are following behind us should feel encouraged and motivated that indeed women have said all along they need emancipation, they need empowerment and that it is happening, we must acknowledge the positive steps.”
Zimpapers Business Hub Editor Zharare credited the achievement to teamwork.
“There is nothing that beats teamwork – pooling of ideas help shape and sharpen each other. I shall continue working hard to motivate the team so that we drive national agenda through the stories that we generate. I would like to also thank the Megafest team and management for recognising our efforts in driving the national business agenda,” said Zharare.
Megafest Business Awards have been running for the past 15 years, recognising success innovation and ethics across all industry sectors in Zimbabwe.
Each year the Megafest Business Awards are held at both regional and national level.