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Trust Khosa
Senior Lifestyle Writer
EVERY community has outstanding figures famed for their kindness, bravery and utmost commitment to serving fellow country men and women.
These unsung heroes sacrifice their souls, sweat and savings to change the lives of others for no price. In most cases, they go out of their way to save lives, shape communities and unite people.
This rare breed of heaven-sent men and women usually shines during times of natural disasters, famine and accidents. They come to the fore and take action during these trying times.
It’s quite encouraging and refreshing that these figures are largely found in remote and marginalised communities. They are usually held in high esteem in their communities yet recognition and accolades continue to elude them at national level.
For their kindness, some of these characters have only been rewarded by God or the gods of their land. Whatever they do is out of love and the spirit of Ubuntu.
These unsung heroes deserve to be honoured for their kindness, which has made society a better place to live.
Good times are coming for these unsung heroes, following the introduction of The Herald Community Heroes Awards to be inaugurated in December.
A brainchild of The Herald Editor Victoria Ruzvidzo, the awards will easily pass as a game-changer in honouring dedicated men and women changing lives in most communities.
The awards will honour outstanding personalities from the country’s 10 provinces who are making an impression in their communities.
Outlining the publication’s vision, the awards chairperson and The Herald Assistant Editor, Isdore Guvamombe, noted that these champions deserved to be honoured. He also hailed the unsung heroes for their contributions that have had a significant effect on the lives of citizens.
“We have to honour unsung heroes as a society, the men, women and at times children who are not at the top echelons of society but have helped humanity.
“These are largely unknown people at the national level but they are known as heroes in the communities where they live.
“We believe that as The Herald, the national flagship newspaper of Zimbabwe, we will make a difference by honouring these people,” he said.
The birth of The Herald Community Heroes Awards is a master-stroke in setting the tone when it comes to honouring real influencers. In most cases, award organisers tend to focus on prominent figures, forgetting unsung heroes in the back of beyond.
During the Cyclone Idai era, several individuals and organisations made an impression by saving lives, yet they remain nonentities. Some of these figures clothed and fed the victims of the tropical cyclone for no price.
In flood-prone areas like Muzarabani and some parts of Masvingo including Chiredzi, Mwenezi and Zaka, some heroes are known for saving lives each time disaster strikes.
Some elderly women are taking care of orphans using their own coffers. In worse scenarios, some minors are shining in child-headed families and they will also be honoured for their resilience and hard work.
As the oldest and leading publisher and printer since 1891, The Herald’s Community Heroes Awards have come at the right time when real influencers and community champions’ efforts have been going unnoticed.
Community heroes, who have dedicated their lives to serving their neighbours and creating a more equitable society, should be honoured in a big way. In this way, we will only be doing a favour to ourselves as a nation of caring people.
The nomination process will be advised in the press, where every province will submit its influencers. Being a national awards ceremony, the organisers have already started mobilising resources to ensure that the event lives up to expectations.
New trends will be set by The Herald as the media house is also giving back to the community for its years of loyalty. Zimpapers is known for honouring its clients in a big way through various promotions which have made the stable respected. The Herald Community Heroes Awards is the latest initiative which is set to promote love by rewarding unsung heroes in our communities.
Online Reporter