adminJulius Caesar was part of the speech made by Mark Antony at the burial of Julius Caesar.
I memorised the entire speech when I was doing my Ordinary Level literature. I can recite it even in my sleep. That’s how much I loved it.
The good that people do should not be interred with their bones but should be celebrated while they are still walking on this planet.
In this instance we need to recognise our corporate gurus and their contribution to the national economy and the general development processes.
Former Delta chief executive Joe Mutizwa, who retired recently, is one economic hero who needs to be given the thumbs-up for a job well done. Cyprian Ndawana beat me to it when he wrote a brilliant piece about the man, which we published in this paper a few weeks ago when his retirement was announced officially.
Everyone knows that Delta is a company to reckon with. It managed to fend off competition from imports to reclaim its market share and has grown phenomenally over the years, thanks to Mr Mutizwa’a tenacity.
He is one man I did not interact with often on a one-on-one basis but we used to meet at conferences and seminars mostly. I have always respected him, at a distance though.
But the stories we have carried about him and Delta have shown that here is a corporate giant who steered the Delta ship with the aplomb of a veteran. His business
acumen and determination to achieve saw him being called to national duty on many an instance as advisor or as part of a group working with Government to
resolve one issue or another. The economy would be poorer without people of his calibre.
The movement at CBZ Holdings announced this week, which sees current chief executive of the group’s banking arm Dr John Mangudya taking over from group chief executive Mr Nyasha Makuvise is one that caught my attention.
I have always had high regard for the two gentlemen who have always struck me as sincere, sober and well-meaning corporate leaders. Fortunately, this view has
not blinded me to any offside traps they may have been caught up in. But many will agree with me they are very few, if any. No one is infallible. Today I have chosen to celebrate these gentlemen.
Mr Makuvise has always presented himself as a quiet unassuming gentleman, but this has not fooled me. He is a razor-sharp business leader who has dispensed his duties in an amazing fashion as evidenced by the results achieved by CBZ. Its ability to muscle its way to the top as a group of repute is illustrative of his managerial acumen. The group’s latest results of a 61,5 percent jump in profit to US$30,3 million are certainly no mean achievement.
The man has been with CBZ since its days as the Bank of Credit and Commerce when Government took over after the collapse of BCC International.
He took over the reins from Reserve Bank Governor Dr Gideon Gono and has not looked back.
We wish him well in his future endeavours and the economy will obviously continue to draw from his bowl of wisdom.
When many shake-ups should bring instability in one way or the other, CBZ has managed its succession well. The man taking over from Mr Makuvise, Dr Mangudya is no novice in these issues. He has been with the bank for quite a span and has his hands firmly on the steering wheel.
As a banker and a corporate leader, I find Dr Mangudya to be in a class of his own. He is one gentleman who gives you hope when all the cards seem to be crumbling.
He is always positive about the economy and is not ashamed to declare that he is a patriot.
Each time I have gone to interview him, be it about CBZ, or as Bankers’ Association of Zimbabwe president or in one of his many portfolios, he has never told a story of surrender or retreat when it comes to matters economic.
He is always positive about the economy and the future of this country.
“Nhai Victoria, isu vacho tikati zvinhu zvakaoma anozogadzirisa ndiani? (If we as Zimbabweans surrender to the situation who then will rebuild the economy). This is the only place we call home so the onus is on us to make things work,” a statement he always makes each time I see him at his offices in Kwame Nkrumah.
Dr Mangudya has superintended over CBZ’s dominance in the banking sector. The bank is currently the largest by all accounts.
It was a bit rattled by the RTGS clog a few weeks ago but it has remained standing.
Dr Mangudya has also helped shape thought processes and discussions on many aspects of the economy and is a highly respected corporate leader.
A 30-minute interview with him will make one easily understand why he is revered so much in the corporate sector.
It is such men and women as those I have articulated in this column today that have helped the economy remain afloat at a time when we had become a complete write-off to the outside world.
The economy benefits from their wisdom, expertise, sincerity and total commitment to their respective entities and the economy at large.
Zimbabwe is certainly replete with such men and women whom we should celebrate.
In another sphere such women as Grace Muradzikwa, Florence Ziumbe, Marah Hativagone, Busi Bango, Rose Mazula, Pindi Nyandoro, Charity Dhliwayo, Divine Ndhlukula, Charity Jinya, Primrose Kurasha, Hope Sadza, Virginia Muwanigwa, Adeline Sibanda, Eve Gadzikwa, Willia Bonyongwe, Ruth Ncube and a whole list of others need to be celebrated for their achievements and contributions in their respective spheres and to the country at large.
Zimbabwe is not short of the brains that can take this economy forward. The nation needs to recognise this and make the most of those that are keen on contributing towards national development.
It would be remiss of me if I did not mention the importance of the men and women of God Zimbabwe has been blessed with. These are people of God who are positioned to reveal the things of God for this nation.
The likes of Reverend Trevor Manhanga and his team have hosted discussion forums, written papers and have done research on how best to take the economy forward.
You guessed right! Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa stands head and shoulder above many both literally and metaphorically as God uses him to lead His followers to the Promised Land.
The man has a contagious passion for this country it is amazing.
He is giving his congregation and many others who subscribe to his teachings, the secrets to achieving great success in a Godly manner and many individuals, businesses and systems are being transformed in previously unimaginable ways.
Prophet Makandiwa has already prophesied that this economy is heading for brighter times and I have taken his word for it!
In God I trust!
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