Harare – The Zim Community Trailblazers Awards (ZCTA) has announced a comprehensive strategy that focuses on inclusive partnerships as it celebrates the fifth edition of the prestigious community awards ceremony.

The strategy, aimed at promoting excellence and community development in Zimbabwe, is built around 11 key pillars: commitment to the awards’ mission and vision, inclusive media partnership, innovation, unique selling proposition, strong relationships, robust brand identity, industry analysis, collaboration, quality and excellence, online presence, and audience engagement.

“As we celebrate our fifth edition, we remain committed to our mission and vision,” said Meshia Mambo, ZCTA spokesperson.

The prestigious community awards’ mission is to recognise and celebrate outstanding achievements and contributions to community development, social responsibility, and excellence in Zimbabwe. The awards’ vision is to be the premier awards ceremony in Zimbabwe, renowned for recognising and celebrating excellence, innovation, and community development.

The ZCTA board led by Dr. Nigel Chanakira, a renowned business mentor and philanthropist, has been instrumental in shaping the awards’ vision and mission. Its leadership has been pivotal in promoting excellence and community development in Zimbabwe.

Respected medical practitioner Dr Johaness Marisa and Tinashe Nyahwema are the other board members including shareholders Albert Masaka and Tariro Masunda.

“We are pleased to announce that West View Clinics and Westview Group of Schools and Ekenia Chifamba from Shamwari Ye Mwanasikana have come on board to sponsor some categories,” said Meshia Mambo. “We are grateful for their support and call upon more sponsors to partner with us in celebrating excellence and community development in Zimbabwe.”

The ZCTA seeks to foster strong relationships with stakeholders, including nominees, winners, sponsors, and partners. This will enable the awards to continue promoting community development, social responsibility, and excellence in Zimbabwe.

The Zim Community Trailblazers Awards is a prestigious awards ceremony that aims to promote community development, social responsibility, and excellence in Zimbabwe. The awards are open to individuals and organizations from all sectors, including business, sports, education, entertainment, healthcare, and non-profit, among others.

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.