MEGAFEST Holdings has honoured 20 business leaders for excellence, innovation and resilience at the 2026 Megafest Top 20 Business Awards held in Harare on Wednesday night.
The awards, now in their 18th year, recognise businesses and individuals who have made significant contributions to Zimbabwe’s business sector.
Megafest Holdings chief executive officer Ms Mercy Sibanda-Matsika said the awards has over the years provided a platform for recognising business leaders and innovators.
“Eighteen years represents a remarkable journey. It is a journey built on the belief that the people and organisations driving our economy deserve to be recognised, celebrated, and encouraged to continue raising the standard of excellence,” she said.
Ms Sibanda-Matsika said this year’s honourees have distinguished themselves through their contribution, innovation, leadership, resilience and impact.
She said business success was supported by employees, partners, customers, suppliers, investors, families and communities.
“Tonight is not simply about receiving an award. Recognition is also a reminder of responsibility,” she said.
“As business leaders, we have a responsibility to continue innovating, to create opportunities, to develop people, to build sustainable enterprises, and to contribute meaningfully to the communities in which we operate.”
Megafest Holdings Advisory Board vice president Ms Susan Makore said the awards were a recognition of the determination and sacrifices behind successful businesses.
“Behind every business represented in this room is a story. There are sacrifices, long hours, difficult decisions, risks taken and, above all, the determination to keep moving forward,” she said.
Ms Makore said success should not be measured solely by financial performance, but also by the opportunities businesses created and their impact on communities.
“Success is not measured only by financial achievement. It is also measured by the people we employ, the opportunities we create, the communities we impact and the inspiration we provide to those who are coming after us,” she said.
She commended Megafest Holdings for sustaining the awards and said such platforms encouraged businesses to innovate and create opportunities.
Ms Makore is also the board chairperson of the Zimbabwe AIDS Prevention and Support Organisation, a board member of Gender Media Connect and a founding trustee of PROWEB.
She previously served as group chief executive officer of AB Communications and as a commissioner of the Zimbabwe Media Commission.
She is currently the managing director of WAN-IFRA’s Women in News programme.-herald
