Online Reporter
Michael Tome, [email protected]
ZIMBABWEAN companies and individuals secured top honours at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Quality Awards held on Wednesday in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The recognition highlights the country’s growing competitiveness across key sectors of the economy.
The awards honoured organisations and individuals who successfully contributed to quality advancements through measurement and quality systems and processes that align with regional and international practices.
Zimbabwean companies competed with 14 countries from across the SADC region.
The categories included the Company of the Year award, which recognised firms that effectively implemented quality principles, Product of the Year, awarded to products that demonstrated strong commitment to quality and the Service of the Year award, which honoured locally delivered services reflecting quality and local production.
Zimbabwe had a strong showing at the awards ceremony, with accolades spanning manufacturing, services and individual excellence.
In the corporate category, Dinson Iron and Steel Company was named the second runner-up in the Exporter of the Year (Large Enterprise) category, reflecting the firm’s expanding footprint in regional and international markets.
Integrated Properties claimed second runner-up in the Company of the Year (Small to Medium Enterprise) category, highlighting the resilience and growth of Zimbabwe’s SME sector despite economic headwinds.
Tobacco Processors Zimbabwe, in the handling, storage and processing of tobacco products, secured second runner-up in the Service of the Year (Large Enterprise) category, showing the country’s strength in value-added agricultural services.
Poultry giant, Irvine’s Zimbabwe, was recognised in the Company of the Year (Large Enterprise) category, while Chibuku Super, a product of Delta Beverages, was recognised in the Product of the Year (Large Enterprise) category.
Safety, Health and Environment Manager at Tobacco Processors Zimbabwe, Mr Isaac Mlambo, emerged as a standout performer after winning the Individual Quality Award, placing Zimbabwe firmly on the regional map for leadership in quality management and standards.
Speaking after the awards ceremony, Standards Association of Zimbabwe director general Mr Cosmas Mukoyi said the recognition reflects Zimbabwe’s gradual progress in improving product standards, export readiness and industrial competitiveness in line with regional benchmarks.
“The winning of companies and individuals at the SADC Quality Awards is a very important source of national pride. It is a significant achievement for both the companies and Zimbabwe as a country, as it raises the nation’s flag high.
“It demonstrates that the products and services from these companies meet high quality standards, thereby boosting the country’s reputation for quality and competitiveness in the region.
“This, in turn, attracts investment and increases exports, helping to address balance of payments challenges that the country faces from time to time, and ultimately contributing to economic growth,” said Mr Mukoyi.
The SADC Quality Awards are designed to promote excellence, innovation and adherence to quality standards among companies in the region, providing a platform for benchmarking and knowledge sharing.
Zimbabwe’s performance is expected to boost investor confidence and support ongoing efforts to integrate local industry into regional and global value chains.
The SADC Quality Awards were approved in 2009 by the SADC Committee of Ministers of Trade to encourage entities in the region, both public and private, to apply and comply with international standards in their day-to-day operations.
