Zimpapers scoops Megafest awards

Lovemore Meya, Harare Bureau
ZIMPAPERS scored big at the Megafest awards on Thursday in Harare after its managing editor Mrs Victoria Ruzvidzo and the group’s public relations and corporate affairs manager Ms Beatrice Tonhodzayi were rewarded for excellence in their positions.

Mrs Ruzvidzo won the Outstanding Thought Leader for Year 2017 while Ms Tonhodzayi was the Oustanding Public Relations Leader of the Year.
Mrs Ruzvidzo said she was humbled by the recognition.

“I feel so humbled to have won this award. When they told me that I was nominated I said it was fine but I think we have so many leaders who are women in this country.

“Little did I know that I was actually the best. I am so excited about this award. I dedicate it to Zimpapers, to my bosses who have always believed in me in the 24 years I have been with the media house as a journalist,” she said.

Mrs Ruzvidzo said the award was a result of team effort.

“I give all the glory and honour to God. I also want to thank and appreciate my husband for his support. It is not easy to have a wife who is a journalist because of the odd hours and the hard work that you have to put in. He always stands by my side.”

Ms Tonhodzayi said: “I have just done public relations for a year, won my award as a journalist, and not a public relations practitioner, it is exciting. I think public relations can only be measured by how you relate first internally as an organisation and externally.

“Zimpapers is a very big company and has a diverse group of people I think it is a challenge but we will get there because at the moment I am more concerned about improving communication inflows internally,” said Ms Tonhodzayi.

River Valley director Mrs Smelly Dube won the Outstanding Businesswoman award.

Meanwhile, Features Editor Roselyne Sachiti also won the 2017 Titanium Health Journalism Awards, Southern Africa held in Cape Town, South Africa on Monday.