Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services minister Supa Mandiwanzira is expected to launch the inaugural Young Achievers Tech Awards (YATA) in Harare on Thursday next week.
BY WINSTONE ANTONIO
The awards, meant to recognise young and upcoming technology players in Zimbabwe, are being organised by Tech Magazine in conjunction with the ICT, Postal and Courier Services ministry.
Founder of Tech Magazine Tonderai Rutsito said the awards had been necessitated by the need to promote and celebrate young and upcoming tech players and expose their prowess to the industry.
“The Young Achievers Tech Awards is a new brand which focuses on recognising youths who are outstanding in the technology industry nationwide. Primarily, it is looking at technological projects, products and services that are emerging that have been a success or made a positive impact to society,” Rutsito said.
“About 19 top young technology players across the technological sector will receive mentorship support, workspace, cash prizes and trophies at the ceremony.”
Rutsito said recognising the achievers would help connect the “technopreneurs” to their next possible deal or partners.
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“We have not done much to recognise our young techies who are immensely contributing to the tech eco-system in Zimbabwe. If we are to export talent, we will have to start somewhere and I hope these national awards will present a platform to expose our most promising techies to new opportunities in Zimbabwe,” he said.
“Many youths achieve a lot, but do not get the desired recognition, therefore, these are the first and crucial steps in acknowledging players and expose their creativity to industry for their next big projects.”
Rutsito said a panel of adjudicators will select the outstanding players in the industry for the nominees and final winners list.
The 19 awards categories include Most Promising Start-Up, Most Innovative Start-Up, Tech Entrepreneur of The Year, Best App Developer, Best Online Web/Blog, Best Web Designer, Best Web Developer and Best Graphic Designer.
The Best Inventor (Software and Hardware) will also be honoured as well as Best Animator, Best Social Media Influence on Twitter, Most Popular Social Media Facebook, Best Online Video Content, Most Influential Twitter Account, Best E-commerce Website, Outstanding Ethical Hacker, Best Cartoon Animation and Lifetime Achievement Award.
