The Sunday Mail
Sunday Mail Reporter
The Sunday Mail Editor Victoria Ruzvidzo was named runner-up Business Leadership Award in the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) Mashonaland Region category at an accolades dinner on Friday.
Bindura University of Science Education vice-chancellor Professor Eddie Mwenje scooped the first prize.
Speaking after collecting the award Ruzvidzo described the recognition as the work of God.
“I feel humbled and greatly honoured to have achieved such a feat, competing with industry giants,” she said.
“I give all the glory and honour to God. It is His doing.
“Am also thankful to the Zimpapers CEO Pikirayi Deketeke and his team for believing in me and granting me the platform to exercise my leadership skills and competence.”
Ruzvidzo acknowledged the support from The Sunday Mail family adding that Zimpapers’ desire for excellence leaves one with no choice but to perform.
In a letter of recommendation to the adjudicating committee before the awards, Zimpapers’ editorial executive Mr William Chikoto said in the few months Ruzvidzo has been with The Sunday Mail, the paper has significantly increased its contribution to the Digital and Publishing Division.
“Victoria Ruzvidzo is one of our senior editorial managers,” he said.
“She is the Editor of The Sunday Mail, the first female to head the paper. She joined the company in June 1993. “Over the years, she has risen from being a cub reporter to Editor.”
Mr Chikoto said Ruzvidzo has proved to be a leader of note.
“Recently she was invited to the Forbes Africa Summit in Durban South Africa where senior women leaders from Africa were deliberating issues affecting women,” he said.
“She has been invited to speak at several local and international conferences. She is also a mentor under the US Embassy public Affairs women in Journalism Mentoring Programme and the Humanitarian Information Facilitation Centre (HIFIC) mentorship programme for young journalists.”
Grant Thornton founder Regis Saruchera and Zimbabwe Garden Seeds managing director Veronica Gwatiringa are this year’s businessman and businesswoman of the year respectively.
Meanwhile, addressing women at a BoldAds Events’ women’s masterclass luncheon held in Harare yesterday, Ruzvidzo encouraged women to take part in projects that build the country’s economy.
“We should stop pointing fingers at anyone when things go wrong in the economy but we should instead contribute in our own way as women to take the economy and the country forward. If we empower each other and do this at national level we will take the economy forward.
“All this demands hard work and a prosper-thy-neighbour spirit.”
The event was a platform where women interacted and shared business ideas.
Guests at the luncheon included Zimbabwe Women’s Microfinance Bank CEO Mrs Mandas Marikanda, Harare businesswoman Michelle Kawome, Cresta Lodge group sales and business development manager Tersh Mahiya Makamanzi, comedian and entrepreneur Tyra Chikocho aka “Madam Boss” and Image Xchange managing director Dr Fungai Mtisi, among others.
