Online Reporter
Judith Phiri, [email protected]
WOMEN dominated the Bulawayo Investment Indaba Awards conferred in recognition of their growing contribution to investment, entrepreneurship and economic development in the city.
The awards were given during the official opening of Bulawayo Investment Indaba on Friday, with the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Professor Mthuli Ncube, as guest of honour.
Sithembisile Sibanda, a young lady employed by the Zimbabwe National Army as a truck driver with three years’ experience, was awarded the Special Award for Excellence in Professional Driving and Road Safety.
She will represent Zimbabwe at the international competitions to be held in Germany this year, City of Bulawayo Economic Development Officer, Mr Kholisani Moyo, said.
Sukoluhle Hove was recognised for Excellence in Social Work and Community Development. She holds a Diploma in Social Work from the School of Social Work (1970) and a Bachelor of Social
Work from the University of Zimbabwe, obtained in 1985.
Her vast work experience includes the following: co-ordinator, deputy national co-ordinator, and national director of the Zimbabwe Project Trust, where she worked from 1994 to 2002, assisting in the re-integration of refugees with emphasis on enabling beneficiaries to have control over their lives, said Mr Moyo.
Nokuthula Ndlovu was awarded the Outstanding Contribution to Water Security Award. Also known as uMam’ uSarah, she has been the chief executive officer of the Matabeleland Zambezi Water Trust (MZWT) from 1996 to date.
Ndlovu helped commission research and studies, ensuring that the MZWP was approved by the Government.
Her role at the MZWT and advocacy work have led to the commencement of the construction of the Gwayi Shangani Dam, a long-term sustainability project for Bulawayo’s water supply.
Nobukhosi Tshuma, a marathon runner, walked away with the Special Award for Sporting Excellence and Historic Achievement. She became the first Zimbabwean woman to stand on the Comrades Marathon podium and the first black woman to achieve a podium finish at the Comrades Marathon since the race began in 1921.
“Nobukhosi’s story is one of perseverance, courage and determination. While she started running for health and fitness, she transformed her life from being a casual runner to one of Zimbabwe’s professional runners and a history maker,” said Mr Moyo.
Kathy Mwanza of Cake Fairy got the Outstanding Women Entrepreneur and Business Leadership Award. She is distinguished for starting with one birthday cake to building The Cake Fairy business, one of Zimbabwe’s leading cake brands, and the country’s wedding cake market leader.
“She now runs Fairy Holdings, a hospitality and bakery group in Bulawayo and Harare. Kathy is very inspirational, having built her business on her own to a brand that people love and keep coming to.”
Sithokozile Ndlovu’s distinguished service award for Business, Marketing and Community Development was also notable, with Mr Moyo describing her as a results-oriented marketing director with over 27 years of experience.
“She possesses skills in marketing a diverse range of products, optimising trade show presence and directing creative development. She has exceptional ability to translate market research into profitable, localised retail campaigns with a strategic approach in transforming standard product lives into household lifestyle brands,” said Mr Moyo.
Dr Lillie Beth Hadebe was awarded the Excellence in Education, Research and Academic Leadership Award for being a highly effective and accomplished educationist with rich experience.
Cycling couple, Vusumuzi Mnkandla and Thando Tshuma scooped the award for outstanding contribution to Sustainable Tourism and Sporting Promotion.
Inspector Bongani Sibanda walked away with the Excellence Award in VIP Escort Driving and Protective Support. She is an advanced specialist escort vehicle operator with more than 15 years’ experience.
“She has escorted Government VIPs, members of the Presidium, senior Government officials, national and international delegates, foreign sporting teams and other persons requiring official police escort and security protection.
“She has excelled in these duties as she has a high degree of discipline, concentration, confidentiality, professionalism, situational awareness and commitment to the people under her protection,” said Mr Moyo.
Inspector Sibanda is the Officer in Charge for Crime and Operations, having served in a number of positions at the Zimbabwe Republic Police, which include the national highway patrol and advanced driver–escort vehicles.
Meanwhile, for the elderly, Alice Masuku was awarded the Excellence in Children’s Education and Moral Development Award while Amon Dube Nyamambi got the Lifetime Achievement Award for Literature and Cultural Heritage.
The two-day event held at the Zimbabwe International Conference and Exhibition Smart City (ZICES) ran under the theme: “Unlocking Strategic Investment Opportunities for Sustainable Industrial Transformation.”
It was convened as a flagship national investment and economic development forum aimed at fostering strategic partnerships, promoting investment, strengthening industrialisation and empowering women as key drivers of inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
