THE leading sugar producing company in the country, Tongaat Huletts has vowed to continue working towards the development of sports in the region.
The company is not only focused on sugar production but is also playing a big role in the development of different sport codes namely; soccer, hockey and golf, which they would like to call growing a sweet future through sports.
Tongaat Huletts acknowledges the important role that arts, sports and culture can play in the development of successful rural communities and last year a total of R381 000 was invested in these initiatives.
They are heavily involved in sports and vow to restore the glory it used to have by making sure Triangle United Football Club which was relegated last year gains promotion back into the Premier Soccer League.
This came out during a media tour in Chiredzi and Triangle, which comprised journalists and editors from across the country as they toured Hippo Valley Estates and Triangle Limited. The media tour was organised by Tongaat Huletts Company.
The company is ensuring the development of the surrounding communities through sports, which is also creating employment and will continue making sure they continue collaborating with the corporate world and sporting organisations.
The company is actively involved in the development of sports including soccer, hockey and golf.
Tendai Masawi the chief executive officer and managing director of Hippo Valley Ltd and Triangle Ltd stated that they are working on making sure they return to their glory days in terms of sport.
"Before l came we had a team playing in the PSL, Triangle United Football Club, but it was relegated and now playing in the first division. We are working flat out to make sure we return the glory that we used to have and battle it out in the PSL once again," said Masawi.
Triangle United FC nicknamed the Sugar Boys is a team based in the Lowveld and has been battling out in the PSL, but was relegated last year.
Masawi said besides football they have become the haven of golf.
“Recently, we had what we call golf tourism as we have quite a number of teams and visits we are getting. We had the Livestock Shumbas from Harare, the Feeds from Bulawayo and last week we hosted the Zimbabwe Seniors," he said.
The company this year poured in US$60 000 for the country's second biggest Pro-AM golf tournament, the Lowveld Pro-AM which is an indication of their interest in supporting the development of Sports.
Tongaat also has a hockey team that has been doing very well.
"There is also our hockey team, which has been representing the country at the Africa Front as a team. So l can say we are quite involved in sports as well," said Masawi.
Besides uplifting sports, the CEO, Masawi stated that Tongaat has more than 16 000 employees.
"We have a total of more than 16 000 employers, we are the second largest employer after the government and help in paying taxes to the government," he said.
The company is also supporting farmers.
"We have a total of 1200 farmers, who we support and assist with input and expertise through the Zimbabwe Sugar Association," said Masawi.