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The Herald managing editor Victoria Ruzvidzo receives the Newspaper of the Year Award from Dr Shingi Munyeza in Harare yesterday

Business Reporter
THE country’s leading daily The Herald yesterday scooped two other prestigious awards from the Zimbabwe Business Awards Council for its unrivalled excellence in news reporting and publishing.The newspaper, which has been in news publishing business for over a century, won two awards for brand of the year and best newspaper of the year.

The awards celebrate successes in various areas including business, sports, education and arts.

They are the hallmark première business awards in Zimbabwe, a national honour, a celebration of excellence, inspiration and success by individuals and local companies. The Herald awards are an addition to several accolades previously won by the paper, a further confirmation of its exceptional market leadership.

Herald managing editor Victoria Ruzvidzo was on hand to receive the two awards at a colourful ceremony held at a top Harare hotel yesterday.

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Commenting on the latest dual endorsement, The Herald editor Caesar Zvayi likened The Herald brand recognition to the global beverage Coca-Cola.

“Once again we thank our valued readers and advertisers for their continued support, and our staff for the work they put in on a daily basis to make The Herald what it is today. Like I said earlier this year when we received the Super brand of the Year from the Marketers Association of Zimbabwe, our paper has become synonymous with the word newspaper to the extent that we basically have ‘two’ newspapers in Zimbabwe, The Herald and others,” Zvayi said. Dr Philip Chiyangwa, who received a Lifetime Business Award, said Zimbabwe had many business opportunities which many people were reluctant or hesitant to explore.

“Zimbabweans have a problem of waiting and that disease of waiting results in us losing opportunities,” said Dr Chiyangwa. “Some waited for the zanu-pf congress, to know who were going to be nominated as VPs, and no one was announced at congress.

“We then went to central committee, the VPs were announced; some were dismissed. People now wait to see who are going to be dismissed next. President Mugabe went on holiday; some were waiting for him to come back, but the world (of business) is moving.”

“You should stop that waiting culture and do as what Strive Masiyiwa (founder of Econet Wireless, the largest mobile telecommunication firm in Zimbabwe) did, what (Dr Shingi) Munyeza (African Sun Limited chief executive) is doing.”

Other prominent individuals who scooped awards included Dr Chomi Makina, Moonlight Funeral Assurance chief executive, who won the businessman of the year award, and TelOne managing director Mrs Chipo Mtasa, who was named businesswoman of the year.

Corporate 24 chief executive Dr Mike Joka was named CEO of the year, Mrs Marah Hativagone received the tourism businesswoman of the year accolade, Mr Tommy Deuschle walked away with emerging business leader of the year award and TV personality of the year went to Mrs Rebecca Chisamba of the famous Mai Chisamba show.

Sports personalities who scooped the awards were renowned football commentator Charles Mabika, who received sportsperson of the year award, while Young Warriors and former Dynamos coach Calisto Pasuwa was recognised with coach of the year award.

Dancehall musician Tocky Vibes, still fresh from receiving two NAMA awards last Friday, was named recording and performing artiste of the year.

CBZ was named bank of the year, health services company of the year award went to Avenues Clinic, Econet Wireless was named telecommunications company of the year while African Sun Hotels Ltd received the tourism and hospitality company of the year award.
Great Zimbabwe University scooped university of the year award and Trust Academy was named college of the year and Maranatha Jnr School was named primary school of the year. Parastatal of the year award went to Transmedia, beverages company of the year went to Dairiboard Zimbabwe and Chicken Inn was named fast Food Company of the year.