Online Reporter
Zimpapers Writer
All is set for the inaugural Cimas @80 Media Awards ceremony, which will take place tonight at a local hotel in Bulawayo.
Launched in September this year and supported by the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ), the awards celebrate the media’s critical role in delivering credible health and wellness news that contributes to a healthier and well-informed society.
The ceremony will feature four categories: Healthcare Transformation, Health and Wellness, Excellence in Medical Innovation, and Public Health Awareness.
Held under the theme “Celebrating 80 Years of Transforming Lives”, the awards form part of Cimas Health Group’s broader initiatives marking the 80th anniversary of Cimas Medical Aid Society.
Speaking ahead of the event, Vuli Ndlovu, chief executive officer (CEO) of Cimas Health Group, expressed gratitude to the media for its commitment to promoting health literacy in Zimbabwe.
“All is in place for the awards that will recognise outstanding journalism across print, broadcast, and digital media. Tonight’s ceremony will bring together media practitioners and health-sector stakeholders to celebrate excellence in health reporting,” Ndlovu said.
“As we celebrate 80 years of Cimas Medical Aid Society’s service to the nation, we are honoured to recognise journalists who continue to tell powerful, life-changing health stories. The media plays a vital role in shaping a healthier and more informed society, and the Cimas @80 Media Awards are our way of celebrating excellence and encouraging continued dedication to ethical, accurate, and impactful health reporting.”
The awards were open to Zimbabwean journalists from all media houses, as well as independent bloggers. Eligible entries were in-depth, factual, and ethically produced stories published between September 12 and October 31 2025.
A total of 120 entries were received across the four categories, reflecting growing interest in health reporting and the media’s commitment to highlighting issues of national importance.
“We are proud of the 120 entries submitted for the Cimas @80 Media Awards and the enthusiasm shown by journalists. This ceremony marks not only a celebration of outstanding work but also our long-term investment in supporting and empowering ethical health journalism in Zimbabwe.”
Ndlovu reiterated Cimas Health Group’s commitment to supporting ethical, fact-checked journalism and fostering strong media partnerships.
“As journalists, your pens and microphones serve as instruments of change. Through accurate, ethical, and insightful reporting, you help us inspire healthier communities and ensure that health is understood, prioritised, and accessible,” he said.
Cimas Health Group’s support for journalists is longstanding. For two consecutive years, it has partnered with ZUJ to sponsor the Health Reporter of the Year Award at the National Journalism and Media Awards (NJAMA), underscoring its dedication to strengthening the media landscape and promoting high standards in health reporting.
Bongani Ndlovu