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AMERICAN politician Frank A Clark once said, “A baby is born with a need to be loved — and never outgrows it.”
For many years The Sunday Mail, the country’s leading family newspaper and most popular weekly, has lived up to the above statement, collaborating with various partners to celebrate love in the Baby of the Year competition.
This year’s record-breaking edition, in terms of participation, came to an exciting climax on December 5 with a glitzy prize-giving ceremony at Rainbow Towers Hotel in Harare.
The winners went home richer after sharing prizes worth thousands of dollars between them.
Those that came first in the 0-12 months age group gained the most as they will feature on many Jet Stores adverts as part the Jet Baby Faces of the Year.
Winners’ parents who spoke to this publication saluted The Sunday Mail “for such a noble and family oriented competition”.
Zimpapers assistant general manager (Harare) Daisy Sakara said: “The baby competition has grown in leaps and bounds, from a small reception that we would hold in our offices to this big event in the magnificent Rainbow Towers Hotel,” said Sakara. “I would like to thank Jet for partnering with us in this competition because this has contributed in helping it grow.”
She added that The Sunday Mail itself continued to grow as a brand.
“The Sunday Mail is also growing as a brand and is the biggest family newspaper in the country, which values everyone from the parents to the babies that we are gathered here for.”
Zimpapers business manager (marketing) Charity Gwata-Chirume said that the competition had been a huge success considering the number of entries recorded this year.
“This year we had an overwhelming response because the number of entries tripled that of last year. Although most of the winners were from Harare, entries came from all corners of the country and it was our partnership with Jet Baby that made it possible since parents were submitting their pictures at Jet Stores, which are spread across the country as well as online,” Gwata-Chirume said.
In the 0–12 months girls’ category, Anashe James came first while Michelle Murombedzi took second spot and Hailey Kagura was third.
For the boys in this age group, Nathaniel Mapingire took the throne, Deitrik Msipa was second, while Justin Zhou came third.
The 13–24 month category for girls saw Nadine Manzvimbo clinching the top spot followed by Tiffany Rukande and Gianna Tusso.
In the boys’ category, the first spot was taken by Gary Mumanyi, Tinashe Makovere came second and Anashe Yambira came third.
The first prize winners took home US$650 in cash, a shopping voucher from Jet Baby worth US$500, a V Note smartphone from Astro Mobile, a colouring book and a certificate of achievement from The Sunday Mail.
Those in second place received US$450 cash, a shopping voucher worth US$300, a colouring book and a certificate.
The babies in third position walked – or perhaps crawled – away with US$250 cash, shopping vouchers worth US$100, a colouring book and a certificate.
The cash prizes were sponsored by The Sunday Mail and ZimPharm. Shopping vouchers were made available by Jet Baby, while colouring books were provided by Clare Events.
Gwata-Chirume thanked the sponsors for their support and enjoined others to come on board for the 2016 edition.
“Our sponsors have given us massive support and we have already started looking for more in preparation for next year’s edition.”
ZimPharm is a wholly Zimbabwean-owned pharmaceutical manufacturing company established in 1954. The company manufactures a wide range of pharmaceutical, personal care and consumer goods from its registered facility located in Bulawayo under approved environmental conditions coupled with a robust quality assurance system and stringent regulatory purview to assure quality, efficacious and safe products for its clients.
Their products ranges include cold and cough preparations, analgesics and antipyretics, topical preparations, vitamin supplements, anti-malarials and mosquito repellents, personal care, food seasoning and toll manufactured veterinary products.
ZimPharm produces bubble-gum flavoured Paracetamol Syrup, under the brand Betamol. In line with its vision in product development, the company recently introduced Aqueous cream for babies.
Jet Stores provides quality, commercial fashion at highly competitive prices and compelling opening price points.
Jet serves families looking for good quality and affordable merchandise.
Re-branded from Express Mart, Jet Stores offer pleasant, economical shopping environments, laid out for self-service, with assisted services available if needed.
Jet was launched in Zimbabwe in November 2011 to offer more value and variety to customers. Among the sponsors is also Astro Mobile, which provided the phones which were awarded to the first prize winners.
Astro Mobile is a local, Pan-African brand that designs, manufactures and distributes cost effective and relevant mobile devices and solutions.
They have a wide range of smartphones ranging from a small feature phone Astro Goat to the high-end V2+ flagship with an 18MP camera, HD third generation gorilla glass and corning display.
They also have a wide branch network in major towns and cities around Zimbabwe and recently opened their flagship shop at Joina City Mall.
Their products are found in their distribution partners’ shops, namely NetOne, TelOne, Truworths/Topics and Coloursell.
Astro products can be purchased on cash, layby or credit but mainly to civil servants and approved companies.
Clare Events provides excellent decor for any event that might be in need of such services.
Online Reporter