ZIMBABWE’S drive to promote international best practices in business yielded three new critical champions on Friday at the Director of the Year Awards (DOYA).
OWN CORRESPONDENT
Lafarge Cement Zimbabwe’s managing director, Jonathan Shoniwa, was named overall winner of the Director of the Year Award for large and listed companies. BAT’s managing director, Lovemore Manatsa, won the DOYA Merit Award for large and listed companies, while founder and CEO of Integrated Properties, Mike Juru, won the Director of the Year Award for Small to Medium Enterprises (SME).
In arriving at the winners, the DOYA adjudication committee considered three outstanding performances in the areas of corporate governance, corporate social responsibility, and setting strategic direction.
Initiated by the Institute of Directors Zimbabwe (IoDZ), the awards are the highlight of the IoDZ year and play a major role in promoting sound corporate governance and outstanding company directorship throughout all facets of the economy in Zimbabwe.
Lafarge’s Shoniwa was named overall winner for demonstrating his concern for leadership through establishing a mentoring programme for senior and junior managers during 2012. He mentors managers and in terms of corporate governance, Shoniwa ensures that all Lafarge managers undergo training in Business Ethics.
Lafarge obtained ISO 14001 certification for environmental management and was in May 2012 inducted into Lafarge’s international group’s Health and Safety Excellence Club in recognition of the company’s outstanding safety record during the previous three years.
Lafarge reported a profit of US$4.6 million on revenue of US$70 million in 2012. Profit increased by 24% from the previous year while revenue rose by 40%. BAT’s Manatsa won the award for encouraging continuous skills development for members of BAT’s leadership with particular emphasis on risk management within the company.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Under his direction, BAT recorded a 141% increase in net profit from 2011 to 2012. In 2012 BAT won awards for National Energy Efficiency, agro-processing, as well as outstanding employer, where it was recognised by the Corporate Research Foundation as one of the top seven employers in Africa. BAT was the second largest excise contributor to the national fiscus in 2011.
Integrated Properties’ Juru was recognised for initiating the adoption and implementation of Quality Management System certified to ISO 9001; developing a Code of Ethics for the company; and for championing direction in leadership and mentoring, implementation of succession planning, skills audit and human capital development for employees. In 2011 Juru was recognised as the Entrepreneur of the Year by the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce for personal growth, innovation and creativity.
This year there was no award for Parastatals, Non-Governmental Organisations and Public Sector Enterprises.
A new category of Outstanding Chairperson of the Year was added to the DOYA because board chairmanship is considered a significant aspect of corporate governance deserving recognition for excellence. Sadly there was no winner.
