MoneyMart Finance wins outstanding SMEs award
Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) received recognition for their efforts and achievements for the year 2021 at a Local Legends Awards Ceremony hosted by the Small and Medium Enterprise Association of Zimbabwe (SMEAZ) in Harare last week.
The event was presided over by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and SME Development, Moses Mhike, who was standing in for the Minister, Dr Sithembiso Nyoni.
Delivering the minister speech, Mhike, said these awards were not only to celebrate and honour outstanding MSMEs, but also to enhance the visibility of MSME sector activities.
The Association presented a lifetime achievement award to Dr Nyoni, in recognition of her efforts at the wheel of the sector spanning over two decades.
MoneyMart Finance won the highest award for medium-sized companies of the year in the seven-years since they became a member, it grew from a start-up to a medium-sized company.
The small enterprise of the year award went to Murare Car Rental a facility of unique car rental experience in Zimbabwe which focuses on customer satisfaction first.
Scooping the woman entrepreneur for medium sized enterprise of the year was Anorah Sibanda of Gainquip (Pvt) Ltd followed by Munyaradzi Gunduza of Secondary Book Press who won the youth entrepreneur of the year award while Clean Zimbabwe clinched the start-up of the year award.
Other categories were also honoured for their achievements in specific areas of business growth and these include the transition, sector, recognition, and merit awards.
Other winners were recognized for excellence in their sectors as well as achievements in specific areas of business growth and long-term members who have been with the association for five years or more were also honoured.
In her speech, the Minister congratulated the winners and commended the SME Association of Zimbabwe “for successfully reviving the Legends Awards and most importantly for advancing the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) development agenda in Zimbabwe through the implementation of various business development initiatives.”
“The National Development Strategy has recognised the emergence of the MSME sector as key not only in facilitating employment creation, poverty reduction and inclusive growth in Zimbabwe but pivotal in promoting the achievement of manufacturing growth and rural industrialisation,” she said.
The Ministry’s key goal remained to promote the formalisation, productivity, and competitiveness of MSMEs in local, regional and global markets.
She highlighted that the Ministry cannot achieve this goal alone without participation of private sector organisations, mostly MSME associations.
The Minister went on to say that “it is pleasing to note that the Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Zimbabwe has become one of the most vibrant and professional business associations partnering the Ministry in promoting MSME development in Zimbabwe.”
She added that the ministry appreciates the efforts, sacrifices and commitment made by winners to raise the SME Flag high.
“By raising the flag high, you motivate others to walk in your steps as we all move towards transforming our economy and making MSMEs competitive nationally and globally,” said Dr Nyoni.
The winners and participants expressed their delight at the resumption of the annual event and the opportunity to gather together in celebration after the Covid-19 pandemic.-eBusiness Weekly
