Prophet Magaya, Buyanga ranked among influential Zimbabweans

Too often, Zimbabweans are bombarded with "influential people" lists and the latest one being the "10 Independence Ngoda Game-Changers Under 35" survey.

In the little-known list - compiled by British-based SPE Media (SPE) in conjuction with Dindingwe Media - Prophetic Healing and Deliverance founder Walter Magaya, and controversial tycoon Frank Buyanga have been named among the top two most influential youths in the country.

According to the organisers of the event, the group was recognised for their "game changing and trail blazing" attitude as well as being "architects of a new progressive Zimbabwe dream".

"Post Independent Zimbabwe has produced some bright young, patriotic minds who are making the present and shaping the future in various ways, despite the difficult circumstances including but not limited to economic sanctions imposed by western countries," they said, adding the list was compiled after a long running survey with "the input of various authoritative sectorial experts based in and outside Zimbabwe".

Also on that list is Affirmative Action Group president Chamu Chiwanza, Deputy Sports minister Tabeth Kanengoni, journalist Vimbai Kajese and aviation enthusiast Matipedza Karase.

Prior to the emergence of this list, Zimbabweans have been treated to a hotchpotch of surveys, including the Gorindemabwe Frontier (Gorindemabwe) and other social media lists where a number of people have "made waves" for different reasons.

Interestingly, the ngoda - a Shona term for rough diamonds - and Gorindemabwe surveys have often been dominated by religious leaders.

Meanwhile, the list comes as Zimbabwe celebrates its 35th birthday and independence on Saturday.

But it was Magaya's recognition that has been striking, especially after he has also been named as the Daily News's 2014 personality of the year and many feel he has been recognised for his philanthropic work.

The young charismatic preacher managed to attract one of the largest crowds Zimbabwe has ever seen during his Night of Turnaround in November last year.

An estimated 350 000 people from all walks of life attended the conference, a feat that all the country's stage-hungry politicians have failed to achieve over the past 35 years of Uhuru.

The well-known philanthropist also won the hearts of many Zimbabweans when he gave the late Studio 263 actress Pretty Xaba $18 000 to cater for her travel and medical bills at an Indian hospital, in addition to awarding scholarships to several orphans dotted across the country.

Buyanga, meanwhile, was recently named among the under-40 millionaires' list by Ventures Africa (VA).

In that list, the Hamilton Group founder and property investor has been rubbing shoulders with the likes of South Africa's Mark Shuttleworth, 39, Nic Haralambous, Sim Shagaya, 38, Abasiama Idaresit and Jason Chukwuma Njoku, 32, of Nigeria.

According to VA, other continental entries, include Roland Agambiri of Ghana, Kenya's Michael King'Ori Macharia, Patrick Ngowi, 28, of Tanzania and Ugandan billionaire Ashish Thakkar, 31).

On the other hand, the likes of Kanengoni, Kajese and Karase have probably been recognised by SPE for their fight to reform sport, journalistic exploits with China's state broadcaster and developing Zimbabwe's aviation industry.