ZNCC 2025 MABA winners pledge to drive economic growth through diverse products and services

Zimpapers Business Hub

Winners of the recently held Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) 2025 Matabeleland Annual Business Awards (MABAs) have pledged their dedication to promoting economic growth through the development of a diverse range of products and services that meet consumer needs and wants.

This year, the awards, held in Bulawayo at a local hotel, ran under the theme: “Unlocking Business Potential through Policy, Partnerships, and Productivity.”

More than 42 companies and 18 businesspeople from the Matabeleland region scooped prizes for their outstanding contributions to the growth and development of the economy in 2024.

There were prizes for 20 different categories, and winners walked away with certificates and shields.

In an interview after the awards, the overall winner, who won the Businessman of the Year Award, Bulawayo businessman Mr Hafiz Muhammad Naeem of Evergold, said their company is dedicated to producing a diverse range of award-winning, high-quality products, including roller meal, flour, rice, biscuits, sugar, and animal feed, among other products.

 

He said, “I am extremely happy about the products that we produce, and we believe that eating well begins with choosing organic food. I would like to thank ZNCC for the recognition, as this is a testament to the hard work that we have put in as a company, and also grateful to the Evergold team.”

Evergold is an agricultural-based food processing and manufacturing company in Zimbabwe, operating under the name Flynote Investments Private Limited and founded in 2013 in Bulawayo.

Speaking after receiving the award, Mr Naeem could not hold back his excitement, stating that through their state-of-the-art facilities and versatile production capabilities, the company has been able to meet the growing needs of their customers and has earned recognition as a leading brand in the industry.

The first runner-up for the Businessman of the Year Award, Mr Caetano Ncube of Afroat, said the award meant a lot for their business growth.

The second runner-up, Mr Brilliant Ncube, founder of Kingdom Blue Funeral Service, said winning an award is a milestone, which is a testimony to the growth of the organisation.

He said widening their footprint across the country and employing about 337 permanent workers has had a significant impact on the economy.

“As a company, we strive to perfect our services and satisfy our customers, and growth is our main appetite,” said Mr Ncube. “We really appreciate the honour and the organisers for identifying us.”

The Businesswoman of the Year Award went to Ms Bertha Mutowe of Zebra Hilltop Lodge in Beitbridge.

In her comments, she said: “Firstly, I would like to thank God, the Almighty, who has made it possible, and I would also want to thank ZNCC for recognising me as Zebra Hilltop Lodge.” She added, “I would also like to thank the ‘Zebra,’ who is my husband, the man behind me and has made it possible because of his support. Without his support, I would not be here. I thank my beautiful children for their support. I have missed a lot of school activities to run a thriving business. I appreciate the team that I also work with for their teamwork and efforts.”

First runner-up, Ms Kethy Mwanza of Cake Fairy, said they were happy to be recognised and that it meant a lot.

She said the business has faced trials and tribulations but has been resilient and is going strong day by day.

Ms Mwanza is expanding her footprint in different cities in the country, which has seen her operating different outlets in Bulawayo, Gweru, and Harare.

Specialising in culinary arts, Ms Mwanza started her culinary journey in 2016, baking for her family at home. She then realised her talent for baking and left her job as an insurance agent to start her cake business.

Known as Chef Kay, Ms Mwanza has become a trailblazing entrepreneur in Bulawayo’s business sector, successfully transforming her small bakery into a thriving restaurant business.

Over the years, she has expanded her business to include savoury foods and opened the Fairy Café in Bulawayo and Harare.

The second runner-up from Water Tight Engineering, Ms Singazi Nduna, said being recognised has put their company in the spotlight.