Chronicle Editor
Bongani Ndlovu, Showbiz Correspondent
RENOWNED historian Pathisa Nyathi, Iyasa director Nkululeko Dube and veteran modelling instructor Sarah Mpofu-Sibanda were on Thursday night honoured at the inaugural Bulawayo Outreach Awards as part of the late Vice President Joshua Nkomo Centenary Celebrations.
Dr Nkomo who died on July 1, 1999 was born on June 7, 1917 in Kezi.
The annual Bulawayo Outreach Awards ceremony celebrated remarkable men and women that have made great strides in self-development and the development of Bulawayo.
The glitzy ceremony which was attended by Minister of State for Bulawayo Metropolitan province Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo, Bulawayo mayor Martin Moyo and Big Time Strategic group founder Justice Maphosa, saw 16 awards being presented with each winner walking away with $1 000.
Nyathi walked away with the Order of Mambo (Lozwi-Rozwi Kingdom) Outstanding Historian, Contribution to Culture and Heritage.
Dube was presented with the the Order of Njelele award for his Outstanding contribution to arts and culture as a youth mentor and founder of Iyasa.
Mpofu-Sibanda walked way with the Order of Jairos Jiri award for her outstanding Youth Mentor-Modelling Industry as a girl child mentor.
Speaking at the ceremony Minister Moyo said the awards were a way to keep the legacy of the late Vice President Nkomo alive and commended Maphosa for organising and sponsoring the awards.
“Sizama ukubuyisa uMdala phakathi kwethu. Sizama ukuthi sazi lapho esivela khona ngempi yenkululeko. Ungabona ukhohlwa lwana Umdala, kutsh’kuthi usukhohliwe ukuthi kwakunjani ngaphambilini. (We’re trying to bring Nkomo’s presence into our midst. We’re trying to know where we come from in terms of the war of liberation. If you see yourself forgetting who Nkomo was then you’ll forget the struggles of liberation of this county).
“So you have a legacy to protect and a legacy to embrace; that we loved so much this icon of Zimbabwe. We liked the way he approached politics of our nation. He was a real nationalist not a tribalist,” said Minister Moyo.
Maphosa said Dr Nkomo was a visionary who brought unity to the country and it was an honour for them to be part of the 100 year celebrations.
Below are the award winners
THE ORDER OF MAFUNYANA
Honouring Widows of our fallen heroes
The Widow of Rogers Alfred Nikita Mangena
The Widow of Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo
The Widow of Albert Nxele
The Widow of General Lookout Masuku
The Widow of Jini Ntuta
THE ORDER OF MAMBO (LOZWI – ROZVI KINGDOM)
OUTSTANDING HISTORIAN, CONTRIBUTION TO CULTURE AND HERITAGE
Pathisa Nyathi – Renowned Historian and Researcher
THE ORDER OF KING TJIBUNDULE – OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER
Vongayi Moyo – Social Entrepreneur
THE ORDER OF KING MZILIKAZI KHUMALO – POSTHUMOUS AWARD, OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF BULAWAYO
Eric Bloch – Economist, businessman and Philanthropist
THE ORDER OF QUEEN LOZIKEYI DLODLO- OUTSTANDING WOMAN
Mama Jane Ngwenya – Heroine and Liberation Struggle Veteran
THE ORDER OF TENNYSON HLABANGANA – OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR
Dan Moyo Renowned Academic & Educationist
THE ORDER OF CHIEF ALBERT LUTHULI – OUTSTANDING SOCIAL WORKER
Jane Tele – Social Worker
THE ORDER OF JOSHUA MQABUKO NKOMO – OUTSTANDING LONG SERVICE – PUBLIC SERVANT
Mike Ndubiwa (First Black Town Clerk of the City of Bulawayo)
THE ORDER OF GENERAL LOOKOUT MASUKU – OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO NONPROFIT AND OR PHILANTHROPIC EFFORTS
Mohamed Esat Entrepreneur, businessman and Philanthropist
THE ORDER OF JUDGE WASHINGTON SANSOLE – OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO THE CAUSE OF JUSTICE
Justice Luke Malaba – Chief Justice, Government of Zimbabwe
THE ORDER OF JUSTICE MAPHOSA- OUTSTANDING BUSINESSPERSON (WOMAN & MAN)
Mgane Ncube – Property Developer & Entrepreneur
THE ORDER OF PETER NDLOVU – OUTSTANDING SPORTSMANSHIP
1. Nobuhle Majika – Mighty Warriors captain
2. Heath Streak – Cricket Champion and Youth Mentor
3. Belia Zobowa – Basketball Coach and Youth Mentor
4. Nelson Madida – Rugby Coach and Youth Mentor
5. Castro Bekithemba Sibanda – Chess Champion
6. Methembe Ndlovu – Soccer Coach and Youth mentor
THE ORDER OF NJELELE – OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO ARTS AND CULTURE
Nkululeko Innocent Dube –Youth Mentor, founder; Inkululeko Yabatsha School of Arts (Iyasa)
THE ORDER OF MASOTSHA NDLOVU–OUTSTANDING Contribution to Journalism and Archiving
Saul Gwakuba Ndlovu – Outstanding historian, Contribution to Journalism and Archiving
ORDER OF JAIROS JIRI – OUTSTANDING YOUTH MENTOR- MODELLING INDUSTRY
Sarah Mpofu-Sibanda – Girl Child Mentor
THE ORDER OF MOSI A TUNYA – OUTSTANDING YOUTH (MALE & FEMALE)
Mthokozisi Ndlovu Community development worker – HIV & Aids programmes.
Sidumisile Mabena