News / International
Back to back success for Zim Achievers Australia as 2018 winners are announced
26 Nov 2018 at 18:12hrs | Views
The Australian edition of the Zimbabwe Achievers Awards (ZAA) rounded off the global campaign in style, at a gala dinner held in Melbourne.
Guests turned out in their numbers to celebrate this year's 85 nominees who made an impression throughout the year, in a number of sectors that include business, media, sport and music.
Organising Director for ZAA Australia, Method Mukundu said: "This year's gala dinner at the Marriott was a huge success. It was a great night of celebration and of Zimbabwean excellence.
ZAA is also a great platform for networking with like-minded Zimbabweans who are putting the nation on the map."
"This was our second awards gala in the country and we are only going from strength to strength," Mukundu said.
"We are also excited to announce that Sydney will host the third edition and preparations have already started," he added.
Other notable winners
The author of the successful book, the Five Anchors of Cyber Resilience, Phillimon Zongo was also honoured with an award for his outstanding achievement and contribution to the cyber security sector and for his published work.
Stephen and Shillar Sibanda were joint recipients of the Chairman's Award. The husband and wife were recognised for their selfless and outstanding work in the Zimbabwean community in Melbourne and Victoria.
President of the Mental Health Foundation of Ghana, Dr Francis Acquah was among those who received awards. He was awarded the Friend of Zimbabwe accolade.
Dr Acquah has played a critical role in the healthcare sector, mainly in the area of mental health.
Sponsors
All the global events were this year, sponsored by Fintech Company, WorldRemit, who partnered to bring the UK, South African and USA editions.
ZAA International Chairman, Conrad Mwanza said: "I am incredibly humbled and proud of our global partners and teams, who continue to amaze me every year with their determination and tenacity to put on outstanding awards galas and, who arduously work to ensure that the awards process is followed strictly."
"Not many people understand how difficult it is to put on an awards show. All the work in the background, from nominations, to doing the research and verifying all our candidates before we come up with a shortlist is tough but, we have great teams in place who are committed to making sure that we recognise and celebrate the achievements of our fellow Zimbabweans annually."
Mwanza said, as the various teams look to 2019, he encouraged the public to start thinking of candidates who have been a great influence this past year and have achieved in their various disciplines and industries.
"The public are very crucial to this process. They are the glue that holds this process together and who help us discover the hidden gems and unsung heroes.
I encourage them to put all these people forward in 2019, as we continue to recognise the extraordinary work that Zimbabweans are doing," he added.
Mwanza also thanked those who were a part of the global campaign this year and who continue to support the vision.
Upcoming Events
Meanwhile, nominations for the South African and UK editions will open up on 1 December. An announcement is scheduled for 30 November, where South Africa's headline partner will be announced, ZAA International has confirmed.
Now a permanent fixture on the Zimbabwean community calendar, the organisation is the only Zimbabwean awards event to be held in four continents. There are also plans in the pipeline to introduce a Canadian version of the awards with an announcement due next June.
2018 Winners list
Academic Excellence
Dr Sithembinkosi Dube
Business of the year
Global Union Shipping
Community Organization of the Year
Nokutenda Disability Foundation Inc.
Female Community Champion of the Year
Zanele Thebe
Male Community Champion of the Year
Athanas Zivave
Cultural Ambassador
Ivy Ziyambe
Event of the Year
Farai's High Tea
Female Entrepreneur of the Year
Tanya Hodza
Male Entrepreneur of the Year
Evans Mukonza
Music Artist of the Year
Fungai Katiyo
People's Choice
Judith Mari
Professional of the Year
Dr David Tapfumanei Pfidze
Sports person of the Year
Tafadzwa Chitambo
Media Personality of the Year
Ivy Ziyambe
Trend, Fashion & Design Award
Shayne Tinotenda Maramba
Young Achiever's Award
Michelle Sibanda
Outstanding Achievement Award
Phillimon Zongo
Philanthropic Leadership Award
Ladies of Zimbabwe in Australia (LOZA)
Friend of Zimbabwe Award
Dr Francis Acquah
Chairman's Award
Mr Stephen Sibanda
Mrs Shillar Sibanda
Guests turned out in their numbers to celebrate this year's 85 nominees who made an impression throughout the year, in a number of sectors that include business, media, sport and music.
Organising Director for ZAA Australia, Method Mukundu said: "This year's gala dinner at the Marriott was a huge success. It was a great night of celebration and of Zimbabwean excellence.
ZAA is also a great platform for networking with like-minded Zimbabweans who are putting the nation on the map."
"This was our second awards gala in the country and we are only going from strength to strength," Mukundu said.
"We are also excited to announce that Sydney will host the third edition and preparations have already started," he added.
Other notable winners
The author of the successful book, the Five Anchors of Cyber Resilience, Phillimon Zongo was also honoured with an award for his outstanding achievement and contribution to the cyber security sector and for his published work.
Stephen and Shillar Sibanda were joint recipients of the Chairman's Award. The husband and wife were recognised for their selfless and outstanding work in the Zimbabwean community in Melbourne and Victoria.
President of the Mental Health Foundation of Ghana, Dr Francis Acquah was among those who received awards. He was awarded the Friend of Zimbabwe accolade.
Dr Acquah has played a critical role in the healthcare sector, mainly in the area of mental health.
Sponsors
All the global events were this year, sponsored by Fintech Company, WorldRemit, who partnered to bring the UK, South African and USA editions.
ZAA International Chairman, Conrad Mwanza said: "I am incredibly humbled and proud of our global partners and teams, who continue to amaze me every year with their determination and tenacity to put on outstanding awards galas and, who arduously work to ensure that the awards process is followed strictly."
"Not many people understand how difficult it is to put on an awards show. All the work in the background, from nominations, to doing the research and verifying all our candidates before we come up with a shortlist is tough but, we have great teams in place who are committed to making sure that we recognise and celebrate the achievements of our fellow Zimbabweans annually."
Mwanza said, as the various teams look to 2019, he encouraged the public to start thinking of candidates who have been a great influence this past year and have achieved in their various disciplines and industries.
"The public are very crucial to this process. They are the glue that holds this process together and who help us discover the hidden gems and unsung heroes.
I encourage them to put all these people forward in 2019, as we continue to recognise the extraordinary work that Zimbabweans are doing," he added.
Mwanza also thanked those who were a part of the global campaign this year and who continue to support the vision.
Upcoming Events
Meanwhile, nominations for the South African and UK editions will open up on 1 December. An announcement is scheduled for 30 November, where South Africa's headline partner will be announced, ZAA International has confirmed.
Now a permanent fixture on the Zimbabwean community calendar, the organisation is the only Zimbabwean awards event to be held in four continents. There are also plans in the pipeline to introduce a Canadian version of the awards with an announcement due next June.
2018 Winners list
Dr Sithembinkosi Dube
Business of the year
Global Union Shipping
Community Organization of the Year
Nokutenda Disability Foundation Inc.
Female Community Champion of the Year
Zanele Thebe
Male Community Champion of the Year
Athanas Zivave
Cultural Ambassador
Ivy Ziyambe
Event of the Year
Farai's High Tea
Female Entrepreneur of the Year
Tanya Hodza
Male Entrepreneur of the Year
Evans Mukonza
Music Artist of the Year
Fungai Katiyo
People's Choice
Judith Mari
Professional of the Year
Dr David Tapfumanei Pfidze
Sports person of the Year
Tafadzwa Chitambo
Media Personality of the Year
Ivy Ziyambe
Trend, Fashion & Design Award
Shayne Tinotenda Maramba
Young Achiever's Award
Michelle Sibanda
Outstanding Achievement Award
Phillimon Zongo
Philanthropic Leadership Award
Ladies of Zimbabwe in Australia (LOZA)
Friend of Zimbabwe Award
Dr Francis Acquah
Chairman's Award
Mr Stephen Sibanda
Mrs Shillar Sibanda
Source - Tidi Kwidini
