Econet Wireless walks away with two Gold awards

At least 33 Zimbabwean companies yesterday received awards from a South African-based consultancy firm, PMR Africa.

The awards were based on points that the companies accrued in a survey that PMR carried out which looked at the contribution of the companies to Zimbabwe's economy.

The awards were in four categories - Diamond Arrow followed by the Gold Arrow, Silver Arrow and Bronze Arrow.

Econet Wireless walked away with the most awards that included two Diamond  and two Gold arrows. The Diamond Arrow was in the corporate responsibility initiative and investment category, corporate governance qualities, company demonstrating exceptional managerial and corporate governance qualities and the company doing most to develop and enhance the interests of children.

The other Diamond Arrow was for being the overall favourite brand while the Gold Arrow awards were in the telecommunications category and for its advertising campaigns and companies/institutions doing the most to enhance and promote sustainable development.

Econet Wireless chief executive Mr Strive Masiyiwa walked away with the first prize on outstanding service and contribution to the economic growth and development of Zimbabwe by businesspersons.

Zimplats won the Diamond Arrow award in the mining category followed by Mimosa Mining Company, which scooped the Gold Award and Mbada Diamonds got the third prize. Seed Co Limited won the Diamond Arrow in the Seed Cultivar category for its two seed varieties the SC Sky for wheat and the SC533 seed maize.

In the security companies category, Fawcett Security Operations won the Diamond Award after beating Securico Security Services in the security companies and companies/institutions doing most to fight crime.

Barclays Bank of Zimbabwe won a Gold Arrow in the business banking and personal banking category.

Cimas walked away with the Diamond Arrow in the medical aid societies category, QV Pharmacies in pharmaceuticals while Rank Zimbabwe, Irvine's Zimbabwe and Farm & City Centre won Diamond Awards in the stationery supplies, agriculture, poultry and suppliers of agricultural equipment and products.

PPC Zimbabwe, Redan, Sam Levy's Village, Pioneer Coaches and Manica Zimbabwe Limited won diamond in the cement suppliers, fuel, shopping centre, transport and freight forwarders categories respectively.

Other recipients of Diamond Arrow awards include Deloitte & Touche, Zimnat Life Assurance and National University of Science and Technology.

DHL International, CV People Africa, Glen's Removal & Storage, Alliance Media, University of Zimbabwe, Dairibord Zimbabwe, Westgate Shopping Centre and PricewaterhouseCoopers walked away with Gold Arrow awards.

Kingdom Asset Management won Silver Arrows in the asset management firms and investment services category. Econet's chief marketing officer, Mr Isaiah Nyangari, thanked the company's subscribers for their continued support.

"I would like to thank our most valued customers for their continued support. It is them that inspire us. I also encourage them not to lose faith in their favourite brand," he said. Mbada Diamonds corporate services executive Mr George Manyaya said the award was a major milestone for Mbada in its three years of existence.

"It is a great honour to be recognised beyond borders especially considering that we are only three years old. This award is for the mining industry and Zimbabwe at large as we continue with the national economic development agenda," he said.

Seed Co's group pubic relations and communications manager Ms Marjorie Mutemererwa said they were naturally elated at receiving the award.

"This award comes as a surprise and we are humbled to receive this award," she said.