BY STYLE CORRESPONDENT
Construction and real estate property industry businessman Kudakwashe Taruberekera has applauded the cooperation between indigenous entrepreneurs, saying it’s leading to the success of many black-owned Zimbabwean entities across the world.
Several Zimbabwean corporate entities and their founders have earned plaudits from international and local organisations in recognition of their outstanding growth and achievements in their sectors.
Taruberekera, who is the brains behind real estate firm Craft Properties, believes his achievements were part of greater cooperation and synergies among indigenous businesses.
He was speaking recently after the Academic Union Oxford Council in the United Kingdom nominated and awarded him the title of the Honorary Professor of the Academic Union Oxford in the field of business and economy.
“There are wrong assertions that blacks or indigenous businesses do not work together for their growth and development,” Taruberekera said.
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“I started my business from scratch and I was uplifted by my colleagues to reach the stage where I and my company have flourished and recognized beyond Zimbabwe’s borders.
“I want to thank all those whom I have worked with for supporting our vision and lifting our name to the level where we are being recognized by global organisations and groups.”
He said the honorary doctorate awarded in Agricultural Sciences and Technology to his counterpart Tinashe Ziki by Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) was testimony to efforts by Zimbabweans to prop fellow citizens from all sectors of the economy.
Taruberekera grew up herding cattle in his rural home in Chivi in Masvingo province, but his resilience after moving to the urban areas saw him grow a business from scratch.
He has vast experience in operations and administration after having worked for various organisations.
He has vast experience in creating, planning, implementing, and integrating the strategic direction of organisations.
“These achievements bear testimony to the co-operation and collaboration enjoyed between companies owned by indigenous businessmen,” he said.
“I am being recognised globally and locally because of the support I get from my business clients and stakeholders.
“At Craft Properties we strive for excellence and customer satisfaction. That is why we have retained excellent working relations with clients and stakeholders since 2008 including land developers, construction companies and land surveyors.”
However, it has not been an easy road for Taruberekera who has had to endure malicious rumours as he developed his business.
Unfounded reports circulated in 2003 that the fledging businessman had died, but that was false.
To make matters worse the rumour mill also circulated that Taruberekera had perished in an accident together with his wife, Yeukai.
“That is part of life where you expect malicious rumours to spread when the real truth indicates something totally different,” he said.
“However, that has not deterred me, my wife and the company to forge ahead to reach the heights we enjoy today. I have never been admitted to hospital since 1980s to date, I am always healthy.”
Taruberekera has also won a number of accolades including the Megafest Awards’ Disruptive Businessman of the Year 2020 (Platinum Winner) gong, Businessman of the Year 2020 (Gold Winner) and CEO of the Year 2020 (Platinum Winner).
During the online event hosted by Oxford, Taruberekera and Craft Properties made a presentation of Craft Properties achievements while sharing best practice with top managers worldwide.
His success story will be shared across the globe while the awards also offer his organisation the chance to be promoted via online exhibition 24/7.
As an Honorary Professor, Taruberekera received attributes including a mantle, diploma, personal certificate and chain that would be delivered to him via special courier.
The online presentation of the title holders held live in the framework of Achievements Forum 2021 ‘Excellence in Quality and Management’ this month.
The Academic Union executive secretary Anna Gorobets said Taruberekera was a respectable partner, recipient of honorary titles and awards of Academic Union Oxford.
She also described Taruberekera as competent professional and head of the top regional company, Craft Properties earning him the title of the Honorary Professor of the Academic Union Oxford in the field of business, economic and management.
“This is an image title established by The Academic Union and as a symbol of your high status and recognition of your achievements in professional activities,” Gorobets said.
According to the organisers, Taruberekera’s recognition will motivate him for new successes while marking a new stage in his personal and company development.
The Academic Union Oxford Council is an international academic association of over 200 University Chancellors, Scientists and Researchers.
The committees and the Union as a whole pursue the ideals of Academic Excellence, Innovation and Accessibility and are committed to disseminating these core values through its worldwide community.
The primary aim of the Union is to consolidate the efforts of scientists, educators, industrialists, and manufacturers on science, education and business integration and development in the 21st Century.
Leaders of higher education, institutions, colleges, researchers, scientists, teachers, and representatives of higher education and business structures can join the Academic Union, regardless of ethnic or religious backgrounds.
In addition, educational organisations and institutions can join the Academic Union as associate members.
The Academic Union members are attend the annual Union gathering which is traditionally held in Oxford since 2000, as well as other activities of the Union’s partners to share experiences, discuss new research and gain support from each other.
According to the Academic Union, the Honorary Professor title was established as a symbol of credit and expression of honor to people, who are promoting social and intellectual progress of modern society, integration and empowerment in the field of science, culture, business, economy, development of innovative processes in the world.
The right to offer one’s candidacy for the Title of Honorary Professor of the Academic Union, Oxford (AUO) belongs to AUO and Club of Rectors of Europe Council, non-profit organisations, professional and scientific unions.
The honour is also bestowed on lecturers and academicians and acclaimed mentors working in higher education institution or actively collaborate with it, have outstanding achievements in research, educational and organizational activities.
Taruberekera is a board member and advisor to the Padare/Enkuhleni Men’s Forum on Gender that works with various arms to promote gender equality.
“Padare/Ankuhleni Men’s Forum on Gender deals with issues to do with gender equality, welfare of girl child and eradication of child marriages,” he said.
“Currently, we are helping young girls who are being unfairly married to older men as a result of economic challenges.”
Taruberekera has been involved in various conferences, including the United Nations gender equality programme.