Makamba scoops prestigious award
Hosia Mviringi
Prominent Mashonaland Central businessman and politician Dr James Makamba has earned himself an induction into the Hall of Fame in Mashonaland Central Province, after scooping a top award in the inaugural Mashonaland Central Achievers Awards (MCAA).
At a glamourous event hosted by the Mashonaland Central Achievers Award organising committee at Twin Lodges in Bindura on Saturday night, Dr Makamba was a winner in the business category, earning the Lifetime Achievement Award in Business.
Speaking at the ceremony, event organiser and Vice Chairperson of the Organising Committee Mr Umtali Saidi expressed his profound wish to see prominent achievers being recognised during their lifetime instead of the usual post-humus recognition that is awarded to national heroes.
“The late iconic musician Dr. Oliver Mtukudzi once asked a question in a song, “Do you have to die to be a hero?” We are therefore gathered here to celebrate one another while we are still living. It does not add value to have huge gatherings celebrating the life of a departed compatriot when we could have gathered to celebrate them while they lived. Thus this inaugural Achievers’ Awards are a bold move by the organisers of this event to move away from the former ways of celebrating by the graveside,” said Saidi.
Mashonaland Central Achievers’ Awards is a deliberate move to recognise and in turn encourage and spur on those individuals and institutions that drive the Provincial economy.
“As a result we are gathered here to honour and recognise those patriotic individuals and institutions who ensure that the wheels of Mashonaland Central Province, Zimbabwe’s bread basket, keep turning, and we choose to do it while they still live,” Saidi said.
Makamba was recognised for his achievements as one of the country’s most eminent and outstanding post-independence black business pioneers.
Dr Makamba, who is the newly elected ZANU PF Central Committee member for Mt Darwin, has been a consistent beacon in business across the province and Zimbabwe at large, and as such his influence cannot be ignored. His resilience, endurance, and tenacity is what sets him apart.
Speaking after the event, Dr Makamba expressed gratitude to the event organisers for recognising him at this inaugural edition of the Mashonaland Central Achievers Awards.
“I am humbled by the recognition that has been awarded to me. I owe this award to the people of Mashonaland Central, Mt Darwin in particular, and the Zimbabwean population at large, for the support they have rendered to me along the long and arduous road as a businessman. I dedicate this award to them,” he said.
Turning to the youths and young entrepreneurs, Makamba urged them to shun destructive habits such as drug and substance abuse. He encouraged young business people to remain focused and never to cut corners.
“Young people represent the future of Zimbabwe. As such I urge them to stay away from drugs and other habit forming substances. To young entrepreneurs, the road may not be always be smooth, but I encourage them to stay focused and stay the course. Never cut corners, for there is no short-cut to business success,” said Dr Makamba.
Dr James Makamba has business interests that span across the retail, telecommunications, mining, agricultural, property and professional consultancy sectors, digital publishing and philanthropy.
Some of the most prominent personalities who were awarded at the event include the late music icon Dr Oliver Mtukudzi (posthumously), Sungura maestro Aleck Macheso and many others in the arts, agriculture, mining, gold buying, theatre, education and training and social influence.
Prominent Social media influencer Tarisai Chikocho, also known as Madam Boss walked away with the Social Media Influencer Award for her exploits on social media.
The Awards ran under the theme, “Celebration of Talent, Success, and Legacy”.
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