ALL is set for the country’s biggest community accolades, the Zim Community Trailblazers Awards, meant to honour organisations and personalities that are making a positive impact in communities locally and in foreign lands.
The fourth edition of the awards will be held tonight under the theme Promoting a Healthy and Mutually Supportive Community at the Harare International Conference Centre.Community builders, media personalities, philanthropists, social entrepreneurs, musicians, sports personalities and organisations that have positively impacted communities will be honoured at the awards ceremony.
Speaking to NewsDay Life & Style yesterday, one of the organisers Albert Masaka said the awards were honorary and some of the categories did not need potential winners who had an outstanding record to submit nominations.
“Everything is set for the big night at this year’s edition of the Zim Community Trailblazers Awards as we promise to deliver a flawless and glamorous ceremony. We are happy with the growth as the awards have received a lot of support from across the divide,” Masaka said.
“Last year we focused on honouring our unheralded community heroes who included church leaders and editors in the media sector and this year we have zeroed in on the health and education sectors.
“This is in line with our inclusive approach that is aimed at recognising and honouring outstanding achievements within our diverse communities. By recognising benevolent members of the community, we inspire others to follow in their footsteps and to develop a community-focused mindset.
He said the broad objective of the awards was to connect and align with the community in a way that created meaningful and long-lasting changes in their behaviours and perceptions.
“Also, by bringing attention to these distinguished individuals it allows for others to become knowledgeable of whatever issues and problems the awardee is trying to solve. It is through this process that we realise the true value in awards and commendations,” Masaka said.
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The awards board chairperson Nigel Chanakira last week told our sister paper The Standard that the Minister of State in the President’s Office, Lovemore Matuke, will be among the guests who include Information Communication Technology minister Tatenda Mavetera, Primary and Secondary Education minister Torerai Moyo and Pastor Ruth Musarurwa.Christine Peta, who is the national director of disability affairs, will also grace the event.
Some of the categories include Media, Health Sector Special Awards, Education, Mining, Agriculture, Business, Sports, Travel and Tourism, Community Champions, Arts and Music.Individuals set to be honoured are business tycoon Ken Sharpe, prominent local businesswoman and philanthropist Zodwa Mkandla, Trauma Centre owner and medical doctor Vivek Solanki and all-rounder cricket star Sikandar Raza.
Also, to be honoured tonight is United States-based Zimbabwean gospel singer Reverend Togarepi Chivaviro, seasoned poet Albert Nyathi and internationally-acclaimed Imbube/Iscathamiya group, Black Umfolosi, yesteryear musician-cum-actor John “Chibhodoro” Muyambo and dancehall singer Freeman.
Old Mutual Zimbabwe, Red Cross Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe Mining Development Company are also set to be honoured for their corporate social responsibility work.VIP dinner tickets are going for US$100 while ordinary tickets in the VIP section cost US$50.
Last year, Alpha Media Holdings (AMH), the largest privately-owned media house in Zimbabwe — which publishes NewsDay, The Standard, Zimbabwe Independent, Southern Eye and operates Heart & Soul Broadcasting Services (HStv) — had its editors and reporters honoured for their contribution in the information industry.
AMH editor-in-chief Kholwani Nyathi, who is also The Standard editor and Zimbabwe Independent editor Faith Zaba were honoured alongside The Standard chief sub-editor Moses Mugugunyeki, as well as Chengeto Chidi from HStv.
