BY DR MASIMBA MAVAZA.
(News of The South) – The minister of information and Broadcasting services Hon Senetor Mutsvangwa yesterday received an award for her contribution to the development of the nation in the eighth edition of the Zimbabwe Business Awards. ZBA. She walked away with more than the prize as she got inspiration motivation. This award gives recognition for producing indispensable cabinet briefings, motivating the broadcasting fraternity to riveting features, and “the must-read story of the pandemic and putting Zimbabwe on the map.
The awards, run by the Zimbabwe Business Awards Council, are a celebration of excellence, inspiration and success that recognise business people and leaders across industry and commerce.
The awards were held under the theme: “Young people and Women, a reflection of the new business normal while embracing a corrupt free economy and practising good corporate governance”. Vice President Kembo Mohadi received a special tribute award, named the Zimbabwe National Honorary Business and Community Leadership Excellence Award of the Decade.
The minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting honourable Minister Monica Mutsvangwa received the Zimbabwe National Women’s Media Gender, Business and Communication Leadership Excellence Award.
In the same event the Defence and War Veterans Affairs Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri received the Zimbabwe Top Business Leadership Excellence for Peace, Humanity and Community Development of the Year Award.
Minister Mutsvangwa in her acceptance speech said :
“I am so humbled to have been recognised
I would like to first and foremost acknowledge the Guest of Honour and the Honourable Vice President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Honourable Vice President K.C.D. Mohadi;
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor, Dr. John Mangudya;
The Diplomatic Community here present;
The President of the Zimbabwe Business Awards Council & CEO of Group Maverick, Dr Enrico Maverick;” she went on to acknowledge all protocol needed to be observed.
For her decades of untiring effort to find effective solutions to to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development. She removed the barrier between the Cabinet and all Zimbabweans by giving briefings after every cabinet. Minister Mutsvangwa opened the airwaves to many providers in her aim to put Zimbabwe in a democratic train.
Mutsvangwa a poor village girl who lost her father at the age of 10 and was raised by a hard working God fearing Anglican mother peanut farmer.
“I only have vague memories of my father. Tragedy struck as my mother was widowed in 1972. I owe what I am to the strict upbringing of my precious, hard-working, strong-willed and devoutly Anglican mother, yet another testimony that it is women that almost always bear the greatest brunt of raising children. Sarah Rudzungu Parirenyatwa single-handedly brought up the family to be close knit and highly conscious of positive values of society especially education, being alive to the environment around you and not shying from responsibility.”
She delivered a touching life history which shows the power resolve and bravery in women.
Among her many accomplishments, Monica Mutsvangwa has helped to fight disease and improve economic growth in Zimbabwe by making the access to information easy and helpful. She has served as Senetor the services she still provides with excellence. Senetor Mutsvangwa heart-fully expressed gratitude to the President of Zimbabwe for elevating women and believing in them. She said:
“The qualities and sectors that are listed as having made me be considered for the award go straight to my heart and form my life time focus: first and foremost women and girls, the media fraternity, my family and my country.
Allow me to humbly thank His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, President Dr E.D. Mnangangwa for believing in women and giving us an opportunity to share in the leadership of the country as a sizable number that hold various portfolios in his cabinet.
I am delighted that at the age of 60, I have been identified to be the lead contender for this prestigious ward.” Minister Mutsvangwa showed that age is not a barrier to excellency. Minister Mutsvangwa has reached 60 and still looks like 16 and raring to go. She urged women to pull through even if it looks hard and heavy.
The minister gave a story of her journey to join the liberation struggle. She left school while doing form 3 and laid down every thing for the independency of Zimbabwe.
At that age she was never asked to, she was brave enough to do it. She is a child who was willing to leave education and life behind to fight in a war. She was a friend to many freedom soldiers.
She is a particularly brave person. Minister Mutsvangwa looks soft and easy to intimidate one can doubt if she could have been a soldier in the army. Even though She did some tough stuff, she survived Nyadzonya and many battles but she will never live up to a fraction of the bravery of her family. Her first born was born during the war. And at 60 Monica
Still has the strength that if She was asked to do something difficult for the safety of her country, She would be able to conduct herself with honour.
Minister Mutsvangwa has shown everybody that Sacrificing for duty makes you a better person and a better citizen, by teaching you responsibility. Much like a parent who sacrifices for their children, and becomes less of a selfish prick. Of course you have plenty who refuse to make that sacrifice and remain selfish.
Sacrificing for honor helps you establish a tenet of behavior where you are not the first and foremost thing in the universe. In other words, it helps you establish a code of ethics and standard of behavior. not just for yourself, but for others to emulate and follow. Minister Mutsvangwa is that mirror which one must use to self introspect.
Sacrificing for country helps you realize that the country is not just here for your wants and needs, you are here to make your country a better place and it’s citizens better people, by setting an example to follow.
At the same event Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri commended Mr Enrico Maverick for organising the awards.
“I am humbly honoured to receive the award.
“I owe it all to my dear comrades that I struggled with through a very odious journey which started at the humble age of 16 in Mozambique when women fought side-by-side with men,” she said.
She paid tribute to those who suffered during the liberation struggle to liberate the nation.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri praised President Mnangagwa for coming up with legislation to liberate and empower women economically.
Minister Mutsvangwa dedicated her award to women and young people who were working hard to feed their families and contributing towards the well-being of the nation.
“Today, I am proud to be standing among giants who have walked this path before me and who have shown with their achievements that there is no limit to what women and young people can accomplish if they believe in themselves.
She urged young women and girls to pursue their dreams despite their backgrounds and said they would make it if they persevered.
In a speech read on his behalf by Minister Muchinguri Kashiri, VP Mohadi said the theme was particularly relevant when Zimbabwe was courting both foreign and local investors for business in the country under the theme that Zimbabwe is Open to Business.
“Indeed, a culture of good corporate governance and zero tolerance to corruption in both private and public sectors is crucial for sustainable economic development.
“As Government we have shown commitment through the ongoing initiatives to improve the ease of doing business in Zimbabwe by modernising our laws and aligning them so as to call upon the private sector to complement Government efforts in the fight against corruption and poor corporate governance. We all have collective responsibility to promote the Zimbabwe brand and make the country a safe destination for investment.
“As Government, we have legislated anti-corruption laws in Zimbabwe and established an anti-corruption commission which is testimony of the commitment to fight the vice.”
You can read the full acceptance speech by Minister Mutsvangwa in below. Where the minister gives a touching story of her war experience.
Vazet2000@yahoo.co.uk
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