By ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

PREPARATIONS for the prestigious Zim Community Trailblazers fifth edition grand celebrations are at an advanced stage with the organisers calling for more mutually beneficial partnerships.

The coveted awards honour and celebrate trailblazing  individuals and organisations who have made significant contributions to Zimbabwe’s development are set to be held at the HICC on Friday 31 January 2025  under the theme “Promoting a legacy of excellence in our communities.

An organiser, Albert Masaka has announced that they were also going to commemorate the trailblazing achievements of past winners.

“The great thing is that our awards will be held in a celebratory mood as this is our fifth ceremony.”

“We are receiving nominations that can win an award anytime and anywhere, from nominees who have a pioneering mentality, a way of visualizing paths that don’t exist and are blazing new trails .”

 “In that light, we call on stakeholders to come and partner with us financially or in kind to make this event a memorable one for everyone.

“At the moment we can’t divulge much but we are going to honour deserving winners in the coming edition, and plans are in place for our trailblazers who have won in the past.

Masaka added that they have slashed the categories to be won by more than half and this has resulted in an improvement in the quality of nominations.

He added that it was their custom to provide strategic win-win partnerships with their partners.

In a trailblazing rise, the awards that are led by a board chaired by Dr Nigel Chanakira began as a virtual event during the Covid 19 era have grown in status and appeal.

SOME OF THE NOTABLE PAST WINNERS

Church leaders: Pastor Dr Ruth Musarurwa, Pastor Bonnie Deuschle, Prophet Effort Vakai Maphosa

Businessmen:  Dr Nigel Chanakira, Ken Sharpe, Dr Phillip Chiyangwa, Zodwa Mkandla, Beven Makaka, Edzai Kachirekwa, Lincoln Masiyenyama

CEOs: Pikirayi Deketeke, Dr Christine Peta

Politicians: Temba Mliswa

Medical Practitioners: Dr Vivek Solanki, Dr Solomon Guramatunhu, Dr Johannes Marisa, Seasons Pharmaceuticals.

Organisations: Higher Life, Red Cross Zimbabwe, Inner City Mission, Bright Daisies

Sports: Sikandar Razah, Dynamos, Shihan Muripo, Charles Manyuchi, Andie Kuipers, Zim Women U21 (Hockey)

Artists: Charles and Olivia Charamba, Mechanic Manyeruke, Minister Michael Mahendere, Black Umfolosi, Jesesi Mungoshi, Madam Boss, Flame B, B, Rev Chivaviro, Albert Nyathi, Nutty O, Kenny Gamble, Lewis and Tau Ngara, Chaka Ngwenya, Collette Manny.

Journalists: Guthrie Munyuki, Victoria Ruzvidzo, Kholwani Nyathi, Faith Zaba,  Robson Sharuko, Charles Mabika, Moses Mugugunyeki, Terrance Mapurisana, Wadzanayi Mhombera, Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi, Abigail Tembo, Michael Gwarisa, Catherine Murombedzi

Philanthropists: Liane Lombard, Brenda Mudzimu,  Fayaz Rahman, Bhuran Weston, Sylvia Sanyanga, Daisy Mukariri, Ruvarashe Masarakufa, Nyasha Nhau

Nominations for the fifth edition of Zimbabwe’s  most prestigious community awards, the Zim Community Trailblazers Awards 2024 (ZCTA), will be open from today,  Tuesday 2 July 2024  and are closing on  31 November 2024.

The awards, which are aimed at recognising and honouring outstanding achievements within our diverse communities, are a solution-based initiative from Perfection Media (Pvt) Ltd. 

The prestigious event is set for Friday 31 January 2025 at the Harare International Conference Centre.

ZCTA 2024 AWARDS CATEGORIES

• Tourism and Hospitality
• 1.      Distinguished Tourism Association
• 2.      Distinguished Hotel Brand
• 3.      Distinguished Airline Partner
• 4.      Outstanding Luxury Airport Lounge
• 5.      Outstanding Luxury Cruise Liner
• 6.      Outstanding Tourism Industry Professional
• 7.      Outstanding Tourism Reporter
• Agriculture
• 8.      Distinguished Agriculture Inputs Producer
• 9.      Outstanding Agriculture Empowerment Project
• 10.  Outstanding Small Scale Farmer
• 11.  Outstanding Agriculture Reporter
• Wildlife
• 12.  Outstanding Safari Operator
• 13.  Outstanding Wildlife Conservation Project
• Health Sector
• 14.  Distinguished Medical Centre
• 15.  Distinguished Health Champion
• 16.  Outstanding Pharmaceutical company
• 17.  Outstanding Health Reporter  
• Education
• 18.  Distinguished Higher and Tertiary Education Institute
• 19.  Outstanding Tertiary Education Technology Hub
• 20.  Outstanding High School
• 21.  Outstanding Educationist
• 22.  Outstanding Education Reporter                                      
•  Mining
• 23.  Distinguished Miner
• 24.  Outstanding Mining Empowerment Project
• 25.  Outstanding Mining Reporter
• Service Delivery
• 26.  Outstanding Urban Municipality
• 27.  Outstanding Rural District Council
• Business
• 28.  Distinguished Real Estate company
• 29.  Distinguished Businessman                                  
• 30.  Distinguished  Clean Energy  Champion
• 31.  Distinguished Telecommunications Company
• 32.  Businessman of the Year
• 33.  Outstanding Construction Company
• 34.  Outstanding Business Couple
• 35.  Outstanding Business Reporter
• Community Champions
• 36.  Distinguished Disability Advocacy Champion                 
• 37.  Distinguished Social Entrepreneur                                               
• 38.  Distinguished  Community Leader
• 39.  Distinguished humanitarian organisation
• 40.  Outstanding  Anti-Drugs Fight Champion                            
• 41.  Outstanding Environment Champion                    
• 42.  Diaspora Community Champion                                             
• Media Awards
• 43.     Distinguished Media Association
• 44.     Distinguished Media Company                 
• Sport
• 45.  Distinguished sportsperson               
• 46.  Outstanding National Sports Team                 
• 47.  Team of the Year                       
• Arts
• 48.  Outstanding Literary Work
• 49.  Arts Promotion Champion
• 50.  Outstanding Musician
•  People’s Choice Award   

Eligibility

All trailblazing Zimbabwean individuals, organisations and partners from our local and the Diaspora communities are invited to submit  entries for  the biggest  awards ceremony in the country.

Entries

Potential awardees for the individual awards will present direct entries with their profiles and  brief citations demonstrating why their work should be honoured in their chosen category/ies.

Individuals can submit a maximum of one entry/portfolio per category.

Entries are to be submitted by emailing to: zctanominations@gmail.com

Further Enquiries: Cell 0776 963414

Note: The selection panel will highly consider how each nominees’ trailblazing work has positively impacted the community.

AWARD-WINNING musician Setina Mandiveyi is ending her musical sabbatical with her fifth album aptly titled Simuka.

The album is set to be launched on 17 April 2024 at National FM radio.

Mandiveyi revealed to Zim Community News  that her break was as a result of the challenges she had faced following the death of her siblings.

In addition to that, they were difficulties in balancing her work and family commitments.

“The last few years have been really challenging.

“I had started this album in 2021, however I had to stop when I lost my two siblings.”

The ZCN Award winner is grateful that her love for music has triggered her decision to revive the album launch.

“I love music, it’s my source of strength and it’s a powerful way of expressing my self. Above all, when I sing I feel connected with other people and music brings joy.”

Mandiveyi added that her songs convey a deeper personal meaning to anyone who might be going through difficulties or challenges in life.

“I believe each and every one of us had a fall at some point, however I believe getting back on your feet is extremely important.

“It’s not that easy but need to be done. I find my strength in prayer, and I believe in prayer there’s an answer.

Songs that are  lined up for the eight-track  offering  produced by  Forward Mazuruse from Music For Development  include Gore renyasha, Zimbabwe (Featuring known group), Ndinoda Jesu, Dima, Tariro, Tenderere and Gutsikanai

She is happy with the album’s quality and its message made so far in terms of preparations for the launch.

“The main theme of the album is encouraging perseverance, determination, hope, faith and achievement.

“Special thanks go to my family, my producer who has been very patient, and all the people who have been there for me and all my fans.”