Junior Chamber International’s Zimbabwean chapter (JCI-Zimbabwe) will today host a gala to celebrate 10 outstanding young Zimbabweans aged between 18 and 40 at the 7 Arts Theatre in Harare.
According to JCI Zimbabwe president, Patson Mahachi, the aim of the event is to honour young people who are creating positive change in the country in business, environmental activism, personal development, cultural activities, community service, child and women’s rights activism among others.
“The theme of the 2011 gala is “Celebrating Success”. We are expecting many young people to come through and join us in celebrating fellow young active citizens creating positive change,” said Mahachi.
Founded in 1967 in the then Rhodesia, JCI Zimbabwe has more than 220 members across the country. Its mission is to provide development opportunities that empower young people to create change in their communities.
The JCI Zimbabwe national public relations director said that the 10 finalists would compete at international level with nominees from over 100 countries around the world. Afro-jazz musician Victor Kunonga is expected to perform at the event.
“Victor is a symbol of success as shown by the number of accolades he has collected. We find him befitting to lead the line-up of young artists that have agreed to come and celebrate positive change with us. His music has good doses of inspiration,” he said.
Four Zimbabweans have made it into the top 10 nominees in the world to date, including Charlene Hewat, founder of Environment Africa in 1995, Strive Masiyiwa, founder of Econet Wireless in 1999, Advocate Sabelo Sibanda founder of the School of African Awareness in 2005, and Betty Makoni, founder of Girl Child Network in 2007.
