Eastern bloc tourism charms Sanganai-Hlanganani Expo international buyers
September 18, 2019
Watsomba’s Mandel Nightclub a game-changer for live shows in Mutare
September 24, 2019Corporates urged to practice sustainable CSR
CSRNZ Manicaland Ambassador Joseph Sanhanga (stripped suit) presenting the Beacon of Philanthropy award to one of the four recipients this year, Cyril Nyatsanza of Hauna Christian College in Honde Valley who was accompanied by his wife Ruth.
… CSRNZ eyes integrating CSR into education and research
Staff Reporter
CORPORATES were urged to uphold sustainable corporate social responsibility practices that develop the communities they operate in.
Officials from the National Social Security Agency (NSSA) receiving the Top Responsible Business-Community Impact Award.
This was said by the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba in a speech read on her behalf by the deputy director in her Office Terrence Machocho during the second edition of the 2019 Manicaland Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) awards held last Friday.
Deputy director in the Office of the Minister of State for Manicaland Affairs Terrence Machocho (right) who was accompanied by his wife.
“If we empower our communities and uplift peoples livelihoods that will have ripple effects both to our businesses and our people. If our businesses grow our communities’ benefit and that will lead to economic development. This resonates with the government‘s thrust of achieving a middle-income population by 2030… As the new dispensation government we are keen to work with all stakeholders so that we can collectively overcome obstacles arising from increasing inequality and a slowdown of productivity and growth,” she said.
The Minister also applauded Corporate Social Responsibility Network Zimbabwe (CSRNZ) for coming up with a special category to recognize the efforts made by individuals and corporates after the Cyclone Idai disaster.
Manicaland CSRNZ patron Tendai Chitowa giving a few remarks after receiving the Beacon of Philanthropy award. He was accompanied by his wife Violet.
“Without your help as business or individuals, we would have not successfully achieved evacuating and assisting the families that were affected. I know you could not exhaust the list of the thousands of people as well as the many companies that assisted in cash or kind, but it is such initiatives that incentivize the spirit of giving and philanthropy in our people. We need to encourage the spirit of Ubuntu and philanthropy amongst our people. We should know that we are blessed in order to help the less privileged. Through One Act of Random Kindness (ARK) we help make our country a better place to live in. That orphan or less privileged person you help may be tomorrow’s next millionaire,” said the resident Minister.
The leading responsible business awards organized by the CSRNZ recognize excellent sustainability strategies that are transforming business, society and the environment. CSR Network Zimbabwe executive director Mr Willard Razawo said great companies should aim to positively impact on their stakeholders, the lives of communities in which they operate as well as the environments in which they operate.
“CSR Awards in nature are not competition awards, but awards of appreciation. The idea being of challenging and encouraging other companies and corporates to also start investing in the communities, where they draw their Labour and customers,” he said.
CSRNZ executive director Willard Razawo
Razawo said as CSRNZ they are aiming to Integrate CSR into education, training and research so that it can be mainstreamed in all business operations.
“As the CSRNZ we are challenging Zimbabwe to unleash the full potential of CSR and not only focus on a common understanding of CSR to minimize risk, compliance and transparency but also to support companies to take advantage of opportunities to innovate products and services that create shared value and sustainable living for all. Let CSR be a key driver for job creation, skills development and reduction of inequalities,” said the CSRZN executive director.
Speaking on the sideline Razawo also challenged the media to mainstream the need for corporate social investment by corporates instead of CSR.
Zimbabwe Africa Trust recipients of the Top Responsible Business-Community Impact Award (centre).
“Gone are the days of giving handouts as they are not sustainable. Give man fish today, and you will feed him for the rest of his life. That is old CSR. I challenge you tonight that we should now move to Corporate social investment CSI. The difference between CSR and CSI is when you do the later you expect a return on your investment. I am not saying donations are not important. We should keep on doing donations but where we can teach man to fish, let us do so for sustainability,” he said.
Mutare based real-estate businessman Joseph Sanhanga who is the CSRNZ Manicaland Ambassador, in his welcome remarks said businesspeople should always understand that they do not operate in a vacuum but in communities and are expected to contribute to the wellbeing of the communities they operate in.
“This is our beautiful and natural resource rich province of Manicaland. We are blessed to be from such a province endowed with many natural resources. So it is important for companies and individuals that harness this wealth to always give back to the land that gives and to its people,” said Sanhanga.
White Horse Inn director Frank Marembo who was accompanied by his wife (centre) received the Community Impact award.
This year’s awards which were running under the theme, “Shaping responsible business towards the attainment of vision 2030,” gave-out 41 awards in six categories namely, the Excellence awards, Cyclone Idai awards, Environmental Management Agency (EMA) awards, Philanthropy awards, Impact awards and Media awards.
As usual the highlight of the evening was the beacon of philanthropy award which was presented to four recipients, Tendai Chitowa (Beacon of Philanthropy & Lifetime Achievement Award 2019), Shiraan Ahmed (Beacon of Philanthropy & Lifetime Achievement Award), Chimanimani East legislator Joshua Sacco (Beacon of Philanthropy Award) and Cyril Nyatsanza (Beacon of Philanthropy & Lifetime Achievement Award). This the highest honour given to individuals who are self-sacrificing in driving CSR undertakings.
CSRNZ Manicaland Ambassador Joseph Sanhanga (stripped suit) presenting the Beacon of Philanthropy award to one of the four recipients this year, Cyril Nyatsanza of Hauna Christian College in Honde Valley who was accompanied by his wife Ruth.
CSRNZ was founded in November 2016 to champion and promote the best corporate social responsibility practices in Zimbabwe. Last year it held its inaugural decentralised awards in every province. These awards are the Zimbabwe focused CSR and sustainability awards that acknowledge the contributions being made by individuals and companies in both the private and public sectors, towards community development in Zimbabwe.
EasternTimesZim founder and chief editor Ngoni Dapira (blue suit) received the Manicaland Top CSR Reporter award.
Below are some of the highlights in pictures from the 2019 Manicalnd Awards and the full list of award winners.
Media Awards
Liberty Dube The Manica Post
Ray Bande The Manica Post
Ngoni Dapira EasternTimesZim
Oliver Karuru ZBC
Kenias Chivhuzhe ZBC
Excellence Awards
Yarnfield Excellence in Environment Protection Award
Holiday Inn Mutare Excellence in Community-Volunteering
Mbanje Farm Excellence in Community-Community Empowerment Award
Border Timbers Excellence in Community-Community Empowerment Award
Manica Post & Diamond FM Excellence in Environmental Awareness & Community Empowerment Award
Jack & Jill Foundation 2019 Manicaland Top Charitable Company Award
Environmental Management Agency (EMA) Awards
Mutare Bottling Company Best Practice Effluent Disposal Initiative & Clean Energy Transition Award
Delta Beverages Top Responsible business Plastics Innovation Award
Cyclone Idai Awards
ZOU Top Charitable Company in Response to Cyclone Idai
Choppies Mutare Top Charitable Company in Response to Cyclone Idai
Zuva Petroleum Top Charitable Company in Response to Cyclone Idai Award
Butimen World Top Charitable Company in Response to Cyclone Idai Award
Willowton Group Top Charitable Company in Response to Cyclone Idai Award & Volunteering
Zimswitch Top Charitable Company in Response to Cyclone Idai Award
Megamarket Pvt Ltd Top Charitable Company in Response to Cyclone Idai Award & Volunteering
Philanthropy Awards
Tendai Chitowa Beacon of Philanthropy & Lifetime Achievement Award 2019
Shiraan Ahmed Beacon of Philanthropy & Lifetime Achievement Award
Joshua Sacco Beacon of Philanthropy Award
Mr Cyril H. Nyatsanza Beacon of Philanthropy & Lifetime Achievement Award
Impact Awards
Manica Skyview Hotel 2019 Top Responsible Business-Community Impact Award
KMP Holdings 2019 Manicaland Top Charitable Company Award
Aloe Enterprises Community Impact Award
Greenfuel Community Impact Award
Plan International Manicaland Sustainable Development Goals Impact Award
Spar Community Impact Award
Wattle Company 2019 Top Responsible Business-Community Impact Award
ZCDC 2019 Top Responsible Business-Community Impact Award
Econet 2019 Top Responsible Business-Community Impact Award
Higherlife Foundation 2019 Top Responsible Business-Community Impact Award
Action Aid Zimbabwe Sustainable Development Goals Impact Award
Agribank Top Responsible Business-Community Impact Award
White Horse Inn Community Impact Award
Mutare Dry Port Top Responsible Business-Community Impact Award
Zimbabwe Africa Trust Top Responsible Business-Community Impact Award
NSSA Mutare Top Responsible Business-Community Impact Award
