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Post Correspondent
MUTARE-based real estate magnate, Mr Joseph Sanhanga was last week on Saturday honoured as an inspirational business icon who has many notable achievements and footprints in the province.
Sports, Youth, Arts and Recreation Deputy Minister, Honourable Tino Machakaire graced Mr Sanhanga’s birthday celebrations at his Valley of Kings home just outside Mutare and spoke highly of Mr Sanhanga’s astuteness in business.
“Who does not know Sanhanga Building in Mutare? This is a good legacy to leave behind.
“You will be celebrated by many for years to come. Some of us are following your footsteps in real estate because we learnt a lot from your investments.
“We realised that as fellow indigenous entrepreneurs, we can also invest in this sector and become successful business people. He is among the people who inspired me to venture into business,” said Deputy Minister Machakaire.
He added: “Mr Sanhanga was the first black businessman to build and own a building in the Central Business District of Mutare, which was a big achievement,” said Deputy Minister Machakaire.
Representing business people, entrepreneur Mr Tendai Chitowa said Mr Sanhanga’s achievements from humble beginnings as an ordinary village boy from Honde Valley to becoming a household name in the business circles is a remarkable story for all to learn from.
“I also hail from Honde Valley and you have been a motivation to us.
“At 75 years, you have set a firm foundation for your family through vast investments, and you are still going strong in business. You taught us a lot as indigenous business people,” said Mr Chitowa.
In a speech read by retired Reverend Steven Maingamhuru on behalf of Mr Patrick Ndlovu, the national chairperson of the Zimbabwe Senior Citizens Association, Mr Ndlovu said it is good to see the elderly being celebrated for their contributions towards the development of the country.
“We formed this association two years ago and Mr Sanhanga is our Treasurer. We stand for the rights of elderly people who deserve to be acknowledged and respected after years of dedicated service to this country in various economic sectors.
“We are glad that we are celebrating our own who is still successful in business at this age,” he said.
Anglican Diocese of Manicaland Bishop Erick Ruwona also graced the event and said: “A lot of business people succumbed to many temptations and many pandemics that have come and gone over the years, but you are still standing.
“Thank you for being the generous giver that you have been throughout all these years in business.
“The lesson to all of us here is to make good use of our time on earth by being a blessing to others and leaving inspirational footprints.”
Mr Sanhanga started his business career at the age of 32 just after Independence and was the first black chairperson of the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) in Manicaland.
He went on to be among the first black business men in Zimbabwe who built commercial buildings in the Central Business Districts across the country.
Due to his noteworthy achievement, the then President, Cde Robert Mugabe, commissioned the Sanhanga Centre in Mutare in 1992.
Online Reporter