Zimbabwe Citizenship Journalism - news told by people

3MG Media recently launched Zimbabwe’s first ever Citizenship Journalism Program. Research has shown that Citizenship Journalism (CJ) helps achieve a healthier, better informed society and makes Governments more accountable to the people they purport to represent. As a Democracy develops CJ helps to create a level playing field in news coverage resulting in a more progressive and vibrant society.

The idea behind citizen journalism is to encourage people without professional journalism training to use the tools of modern technology (cameras, cell phones, laptops, internet etc) and the global distribution of the Internet to create, augment or fact-check media on their own or in collaboration with others.

Zimbabwe has witnessed recent events which would have been more accurately covered and documented by CJ. These include the Murambatsvina clean up, the cholera outbreak, Marange diamonds rush ,political violence and several other newsworthy events which required narration as seen by those who lived through such times.

The main aim of CJ is to bridge the gap between the traditional mainstream media and ordinary people’s stories by enabling members of civil society to gain access to a broader media skills and platforms and use them effectively to express their voices.

CJ Program offers communities and opportunity to tell their story according to how they view issues. This can be a critical tool in raising awareness and mobilizing resources for issues such as AIDS, Shortage of school books ,lack of computers in schools and any other issues which most communities in developing nations grapple with on a daily basis. Many communities remain poor despite their areas being home to resources such as wild life ,diamond reserves and many other natural resources. CJ can be a vehicle to raise awareness on how these societies can benefit from these natural God given resources.

CJ is also called public or participatory journalism or democratic journalism, is the act of non-professionals "playing an active role in the process of collecting, reporting, analyzing and disseminating news and information,".This is exciting particularly for a nation in transition like Zimbabwe. It will give Zimbabweans an opportunity to interact and participate in information and events that shape their daily lives.

CJ are "the people formerly known as the audience," who "were once on the receiving end of a media system that ran one way, in a broadcasting pattern, with high entry fees and a few firms competing to speak very loudly while the rest of the population listened in isolation from one another. Citizen Journalism changes all this, readers will become an integral part of our news gathering efforts.

This is about Citizens speaking about the front line struggles that they face daily which a normal professional Journalist may not find newsworthy.

Many traditional journalists and many Governments view CJ with some skepticism, believing that only trained journalists can understand the exactitude and ethics involved in reporting news. Citizen Journalism seeks to encourage wider community participation therefore it must be encouraged and nurtured.

This article appears courtesy of GMRI CAPITAL- http://www.gmricapital.com/

Gilbert Muponda is a Co-Founder of 3MG Media . He can be reached at; www.ZimFace.com

Email: gilbert@gilbertmuponda.com . Skype ID: gilbert.Muponda

Twitter ; http://twitter.com/gmricapital

Phone: 1-416-841-5542

William Nyemba - Enhancing the African Entrepreneur Brand

Entrepreneurship is often difficult , tricky and challenging, resulting in many new enterprises and ventures failing early in their life. The success of William Nyemba's various ventures make him an outstanding example of a worth nominee for a 5,000 Point of Light Award. The mere fact of starting a venture indicates a strong will to make a difference and impact the world which one inherits in an attempt to ensure that future generations inherit a richer and better tomorrow.

This is the second article which is part of a series in the celebration and nomination of Zimbabwe born Banker, Financier and Pioneer William Nyemba for a 5000 POL Lifetime Achievement Award. This is in recognition of the role he has played in setting up 3 Banks and in general advancement of the African Brand of successful Entrepreneurs.

An entrepreneur is generally defined as a person who has possession of an enterprise, or venture, and assumes significant accountability for the inherent risks and the outcome. He is an ambitious leader who combines forces of production such as land, labor, and capital to create and market new goods or services which improves the general quality of life.

Whilst Nyemba's achievements may appear easy and routine in reality they are remarkable as they were achieved by a man who did not inherit any particular wealth or capital to lay a foundation for his business ventures. Nyemba is a pioneering first generation entrepreneur who rose from humble beginnings to the height of the corporate world of big business through determination, focus, skill and vision.

The Banking on Africa's Future (BOAF) - 5,000 Points of Light (POL)" or BOAF-5,000POL Lifetime Achievement Award is in recognition of Nyemba’s contribution to Zimbabwean and African Banking and business sector and advancing the recognition of the need to allow and assist Africans to develop big businesses which fully exploit the continent’s natural resources.

The founding TRUST Bank Holdings CEO William Tapera Nyemba was chosen Zimbabwe Institute of Management (ZIM) Manager of the Year for 2001 in recognition of his leadership skills. Observers see them as being willing to accept a high level of personal, professional or financial risk to pursue opportunity.

Business entrepreneurs are widely viewed and accepted as fundamentally important in the modern Economy. They are critical in advancing the quality of life by improving services and products. Economically they power the economy through job creation ,investments and directing efficient resource allocation.

The award was conferred on him in absentia at a glittering dinner gala at a Harare hotel. Thandiwe Nyemba, on receiving the award on her husband's behalf, coined a new phrase and sent the crowd cheering when she said: "Behind every successful man there is not just a woman but a wife." This serves confirmed that besides being a successful Entrepreneur Nyemba is also a family man, father and husband. All key qualities expected in leading points of light who act as a bank of hope in their societies.

William Nyemba is an experienced banker with both local and international banking experience spanning close to 3 decades. His experience includes the successful establishing of three banks, two of which he was involved, at the level of chief executive officer (National Merchant Bank and Trust Merchant Bank).

He was a technical partner in the setting up of Ghana's flagship CAL Merchant Bank. He has helped set up various other financial services firms across the African continent including PIVOT Capital and Wilta Advisory Services.

A few articles will be published tracing Nyemba’s path to The Banking on Africa's Future (BOAF) - 5,000 Points of Light (POL)" or BOAF-5,000POL Lifetime Achievement Award. The awards are meant to celebrate African Citizens Achievements. People of African heritage or permanent residents whose life-long careers have had a significant impact on society. Individuals who have the potential to be roles model and inspire creativeness, inventiveness, spirit of service, and hope in others also qualify for the award.

Any African can qualify from social to economic entrepreneurship, the ‘BOAF-5000 POL Lifetime Achievement Award’ recognizes outstanding individuals whose pioneering spirit, fame, power, personality, accomplishments, and demonstrated creativeness and inventiveness throughout their careers has improved African society and inspired others in Africa and beyond.

Gilbert Muponda is a Co-Founder of 3MG Media . He can be reached at; www.ZimFace.com

Email: gilbert@gilbertmuponda.com . Skype ID: gilbert.Muponda

Twitter ; http://twitter.com/gmricapital

Phone: 1-416-841-5542

3MG Media launches Zimbabwe Citizenship Journalism programme

3MG MEDIA has launched Zimbabwe’s first Citizen Journalism programme with immediate effect. The Global trend is that those nations which are democratically challenged like Zimbabwe gain immensely from Citizen Journalism as it provides accurate, unfiltered news .

The initial phase is targeted at Students within Zimbabwe Universities ,Polytechnics and Technical Colleges who are expected to file short but accurate stories regularly. Each participating student will get a monthly allowance of US$ 100 per month.

Zimbabwe Telegraph will be the central distribution site. The other 3MG Media community newspaper web sites be part of the distribution channel. These include
www.ZimDaily.com
www.zimTelegraph.com
www.harareTribune.com
www.zimTribune.com
www.southafrica2day.com
www.afrikalink.com
www.zimNetRadio.com

The idea behind citizen journalism is to encourage people without professional journalism training to use the tools of modern technology (cell phones, laptops, internet etc) and the global distribution of the Internet to create, augment or fact-check media on their own or in collaboration with others. Recently Zimbabwe had a cholera outbreak in which accurate information was hardly available. Citizen Journalists are expected to play a leading role in uncovering such humanitarian tragedies as and when they occur.

Citizen Journalists will be able to provide first hand and real accounts of the reality on the ground. Additionally, readers can fact-check articles from the mainstream media and point out factual errors or bias at www.zimDailyforum.com which are discussion forums. Alternatively a member of the public can witness police brutality and may snap a digital photo and post to Zimdaily for broad casting . Other newsworthy events happening in local communities such as Mabvuku , Budiriro, Mzilikazi or Dangamvura can be informally recorded and posted online to tell the real Zimbabwe story .

3MG Media is distributing 5 cameras and cell phones to the first members participating in the initial phase. Other members of the public with own equipment are expected to send in news pieces and pictures which will speak thousands of words.

Citizen journalism, is also called public or participatory journalism or democratic journalism, is the act of non-professionals "playing an active role in the process of collecting, reporting, analyzing and disseminating news and information,".This is exciting particularly for a nation in transition like Zimbabwe. It will give Zimbabweans an opportunity to interact and participate in information and events that shape their daily lives.

3MG MEDIA Citizen Journalism programme will be different from serious investigative Journalism. An investigative journalist may spend a considerable period researching and preparing a report, sometimes months or years, whereas a typical daily or weekly news reporter writes items concerning immediately available news.

Citizen journalists are "the people formerly known as the audience," who "were on the receiving end of a media system that ran one way, in a broadcasting pattern, with high entry fees and a few firms competing to speak very loudly while the rest of the population listened in isolation from one another. 3MG MEDIA Citizen Journalism will change all this, our readers will become an integral part of our news gathering efforts.

Citizen journalists may be activists within the communities they write about. This has drawn some criticism from traditional media institutions such as, which have accused proponents of public journalism of abandoning the traditional goal of 'objectivity'.

Many traditional journalists view citizen journalism with some skepticism, believing that only trained journalists can understand the exactitude and ethics involved in reporting news. Citizen Journalism seeks to encourage reader participation therefore it must be encouraged and nurtured.

William Nyemba a Point of Light - One Life Time, 3 Financial Institutions

William T Nyemba is a Zimbabwean Entrepreneur who inspires confidence and has proven that vision, Motivation, self-discipline and hard work are essential qualities for starting and running a big business. First Generation Entrepreneurs boldly go where no one has gone before, which indeed requires a leap of faith and a hope for a market that may not even exist.

In one life time William Nyemba has successfully set up and managed at least three financial Institutions ,clearly establishing himself as a Point of Light. A Point of Light who has served to open doors for others and helped shape the African brand.

This article is part of a series in the nomination of Banker, Financier and Pioneer William Nyemba for a 5000 POL Lifetime Achievement Award. This is in recognition of the role he has played in setting up 3 Banks and in general advancement of business endeavors of those he has come into contact with.

The Banking on Africa's Future (BOAF) - 5,000 Points of Light (POL)" or BOAF-5,000POL Lifetime Achievement Award is in recognition of Nyemba’s contribution to Zimbabwean and African Banking and business sector and advancing the recognition of the need to allow and assist Africans to develop big businesses which fully exploit the continent’s natural resources.

A post independent Zimbabwe has produced several outstanding Entrepreneurs including William Nyemba of Trust Financial Holdings Limited , Strive Masiyiwa of Econet Wireless Holdings Limited (Econet), Dr Mthuli Ncube of Barbican Holdings Limited, and Dr Julius Makoni of NMB Holdings Limited, Intermarket chief, Nick Vingirai, Enoch Kamushinda of Metropolitan Bank and Mutumwa Mawere who set up Africa Resources Limited , Trevor Ncube of Zimbabwe Independent Media and many other luminaries.

For the African Brand to be taken seriously we need to identify those leading lights and document their achievements which will become a Bank of Hope for future African Generations. William Nyemba was instrumental in the formation of CAL Merchant Bank (Ghana), National Merchant Bank and Trust Merchant Bank in Zimbabwe.

Entrepreneurs often can impact those around them in a profound way. They assume the risk for the sake of the profit which may never come. Their success often depends upon how visionary, skilled, innovative, and passionate entrepreneurs are about their big ideas and dreams which may seem wild to many. An entrepreneur has exceptional vision, creativity, and determination and frequently creates entirely new industries or introduce new ideas in old markets.

There has never been a shortage of entrepreneurs in Africa ,what lacks is the telling of their story and its proper documentation so that it can motivate and inspire future generation of Africans. Over the centuries, there have always been entrepreneurs in Africa whose successes are however underplayed and go unnoticed. Individuals like William Nyemba have proven that given the opportunity, entrepreneurs in Africa can and will drive Africa's economic development forward.

There is an old saying which says “If nobody is doing a business, then there must be a good reason. Find out why others aren't thinking like you.” Entrepreneurs like William Nyemba have made a name for themselves by going against the grain and venturing into the Financial sector in Zimbabwe at a time when this was considered a preserve for Zimbabweans of European descent and Multi National Banks.

Through the formation of National Merchant Bank and later Trust Bank Nyemba helped clear the myth that Black Zimbabweans could not succeed in the Banking sector. Nyemba was part of the pioneering generation that help set the foundation for fellow Black Zimbabweans in the previously foreign dominated Financial Sector.

Nyemba and another prominent banker Kingdom Financial Holdings Ltd founder Nigel Chanakira regularly represented Zimbabwe on the influential World Economic Forum (WEF). Nyemba is a former deputy president of the Bankers Association of Zimbabwe. Trust Financial Holdings with Nyemba at the helm successfully concluded negotiations to acquire a controlling stake in CAL Merchant Bank Ltd (which he helped set-up), a leading merchant bank in Ghana

A few articles will be published tracing Nyemba’s path to The Banking on Africa's Future (BOAF) - 5,000 Points of Light (POL)" or BOAF-5,000POL Lifetime Achievement Award. The awards are meant for African Citizens. People of African heritage or permanent residents whose life-long careers have had a significant impact on society. Individuals who have the potential to be roles model and inspire creativeness, inventiveness, spirit of service, and hope in others also qualify for the award.

Any African can qualify from social to economic entrepreneurship, the ‘BOAF-5000 POL Lifetime Achievement Award’ recognizes outstanding individuals whose pioneering spirit, fame, power, personality, accomplishments, and demonstrated creativeness and inventiveness throughout their careers has improved African society and inspired others in Africa and beyond.

Gilbert Muponda is a Co-Founder of 3MG Media . He can be reached at; www.Zimface.com

Email: gilbert@gilbertmuponda.com . Skype ID: gilbert.Muponda

Twitter ; http://twitter.com/gmricapital

Phone: 1-416-841-5542

3MG Media completes ZimDaily upgrade and launches Zimbabwe Tribune

ZIMBABWE – HARARE — 3MG Media has finally completed the major system upgrade and facelift of ZimDaily.com.

The ZimDaily system upgrade and facelift coincides with the launch of The Zimbabwe Tribune (Zimtribune) which is being officially launched today after several weeks of testing.

Zimtribune is focused on political developments in Zimbabwe and Southern Africa with short but precise news articles to give an overview of relevant Political developments.

Whilst the site will carry a few social and economic news articles it is being developed as a specialized niche website to report on and analyze political developments.

3MG Media Operations Director Munamato Maisva also confirmed that Zimbabwe’s Number One Internet Radio Station – zim NET radio has been further enhanced with the inclusion of news service in addition to its normal online radio broadcasts.

This will allow zim NET radio to offer a more comprehensive news and entertainment delivery service as it consolidates its position as Zimbabwe’s number online radio station .

The launch of Zimbabwe Tribune and the system upgrade of ZimDaily marks the end of transformation of all current 3MG Media websites with new modern designs which are easily indexed by Google and other major news aggregators.

Through the enormous reach of other 3MG Media brands such as ZimDaily, Zimface, Zimbabwe Telegraph, Afrikalink, southafrica2day and GMRI the Company has access to a larger total addressable market and significant long-term growth opportunities — especially in emerging areas such as Client Corporate Identity, branding, research and delivery of high quality content.

3MG Media continually explores opportunities that support our long-term strategy.

We are a customer-driven company and, as always, we will continue to evaluate and respond to customer demands to shape our product and service mix.” added Gilbert Muponda, 3MG MEDIA C.E.O.

The 3MG Media long-term plan is to develop a “universal client” by combining social networking, online news, classified advertising, Web development, hosting and user friendly interactive platforms and integrated online marketing platform.

Such marketing platforms are critical for serious businesses which are looking at advertising to a targeted market niche such as that served by 3MG MEDIA brands.

3MG Media and Tetemucha are currently working on Zimbabwe’s first dating site which will be launched on 1st August 2009.

Re-branding Africa - an African responsibility

I am encouraged by the response that has been coming through following the nomination of pioneer, financier, banker and entrepreneur and African business executive Mutumwa Mawere for a 5000 POL Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Banking on Africa's Future (BOAF) - 5,000 Points of Light (POL)" or BOAF-5,000POL Lifetime Achievement Award was in recognition of Mawere’s contribution to humanity and advancing the recognition of the need to allow and assist Africans to develop big businesses which fully exploit the continent’s natural resources.

The responsibility to develop and re-brand Africa can not be sub-contracted to outsiders. It is an African responsibility. As such we need to identify the positive areas and build upon them.

Below is a copy of one of the many emails I received after the first article written highlighting some of Mawere‘s achievements . "Hie Gilbert, My name is Gorden Taurai Nzira and I am a Zimbabwean Gospel Musician currently based in Cape Town, South Africa. I was greatly inspired by your article that I stumbled upon in the Zimbabwe Telegraph entitled "Mutumwa Mawere a Point of Light for Zimbabwe Diaspora Community". Because of what I felt after reading the article, I felt that people like him deserve to be honored in any way possible, I have therefore written a song dedicated to all people who have fought and are still fighting for the betterment of our people, Diaspora or not. The title of the song is "Point
of Light" Thank you so much for the article.
*Gorden Taurai Nzira"

It is heartening to note that fellow Zimbabweans and Africans are beginning to appreciate the need to acknowledge each other and individual contribution towards uplifting our community and the continent at large.

Africa remains a challenged continent overwhelmed by many problems including poverty, war, disease and hunger .Whilst African seeks outside help it must be noted this alone will not totally liberate the continent from these various challenges .There is need to identify more points of light such as Mutumwa Mawere in Africa’s quest to seek a positive image and have notable personalities who have a story to tell on how they have lived a life of Endeavour driven to shape the world around them .

As a starting point Africans need to identify its positive areas and build upon them and start to counter perception that the continent does not have competent or capable citizens and people. Identifying Points of Light through the 5000 POL initiative is one such effective strategy of Africa starting to come up with some home grown strategies and plan to rebrand it self and move away from the dependency syndrome.

As the initiative to identify 5,000 POL takes shape and more people are nominated it should be seen in its proper context. The initiative is not an attempt to whitewash someone's story or path they have traveled. In every individual we can identify some positive aspect in their lives which has positively impacted those around them. The 5000 POL initiative is purely focused on celebrating the path traveled by 5000 Africans who have made a remarkable positive impact on those around them.


The club of 5,000 remarkable African personalities, legends, icons and superstars represents the best Africa has to offer in various areas of Endeavour. Each individual selected has a unique but compelling story to tell. A story that can assist current and future generations to properly communicate to each other and help strengthen the African brand.

There is never a shortage of those who criticize ,ridicule and pull down those who seek to achieve something. What is definitely in short supply is those who stand ready to applaud when a positive deed has been done. In any business Endeavour there are bound to be disputes and disagreements. Enemies and arch enemies are made along the way. However what is important is to remain clear and understand that all business endeavors are based on one core philosophy (that of building something).

As we continue to scrutinize and assess Mawere’s nomination it is important to note that the Company he built Africa Resources Limited employed more than 20,000 people directly through its various operational units. This is a remarkable feat for a Company that was built by a man who is a first generation entrepreneur. When a black African first generation entrepreneur like Mutumwa Mawere succeeds in building such a business empire it serves as an inspiration to other young black Africans that indeed they too can succeed in business at the highest level .

Gilbert Muponda is a Co-Founder of 3MG Media . He can be reached at; www.Zimface.com

Email: gilbert@gilbertmuponda.com . Skype ID: gilbert.Muponda

Twitter ; http://twitter.com/gmricapital

Phone: 1-416-841-5542

We must Celebrate the African Brand

After reading my article nominating Mutumwa Mawere as one of the Points of Light under the ‘BOAF-5000 POL Lifetime Achievement Award’ a fellow Zimbabwean and African Temu Moyo had this to say ;

“YOUR STORY LACKS SUBSTANCE. MAWERE BECAME A BANKER, FINANCIER AT ARL AS A FRONT OF SOME ZANU STALWARTS. WHERE DID HE GET THE MONEY FROM IN THE FIRST PLACE. DOES AN INDIVIDUAL MUSHROOM OUT OF NOWHERE TO OWN MASHABA MINES THUS BOGGLING TO THE MIND IN YOU HAVE ONE. OR IT IS CASE OF A THIEF TRYING TO COVER ELEPHANT TRACKS WITH A FINGER AND SAYING THE TRACKS BELONG TO A SHEEP. MAWERE AND SOME OF YOU ARE FORMER ZANU CONDUITS WHOSE DEALS WENT SOUR WITH YOUR ZANU MASTERS. WE DESERVE BETTER DO NOT MISLEAD US ZANU HAS MISGOVERNED & MISLED US FOR THREE DECADES. YOU ARE A WASTE OF SPACE.”

My response to the comment and similar ones is as follows.

Mawere has written extensively clarifying his relationship with ZANU PF,Government of Zimbabwe and Politicians in general. It is wrong for us to try and attribute Mawere’s success and achievements just to political relationships as if he had a monopoly of any type of relationship. We need to take note of his individual endeavors, business acumen and organizational ability which allowed him to grow a single mine venture into a major conglomerate. A visit to the website www.mmawere.com provides a wealth of information about Mawere and his various endeavors .

One can not build a business just by political links or patronage. A business succeeds because it is providing a useful service or product which has ready buyers willing to pay a fair price. Beyond political links one needs business acumen, ideas, drive, determination and various other factors which are directly from an individual. These qualities cant be borrowed or squeezed from any political patronage .

I acknowledge we can all never agree on who we rate highly and regard as Points of Light in our individual paths of life. However the point must be made that before judging others and criticizing we should take time to reflect upon personal experiences and acknowledge others who have played leading roles which have resulted in many doors being opened for others that followed.

As black Africans growing up in Zimbabwe it was difficult if not impossible to find fellow black Africans who had succeeded in big business. Yes we had various bus business operators, shop operators and other peripheral business leaders. In general when one thought of a serious big business especially that listed on the stock exchange one was forced to relate it to White Africans or major Multinationals .

How ever due to actions and initiatives of black big business pioneers such as Dr Julius Makoni, Dr Mthuli Ncube ,Nicholas Vingirayi , James Mushore, Francis Zimuto, Strive Masiyiwa, Trevor Ncube, James Makamba, William Nyemba and Mutumwa Mawere it became possible for the younger generations such as myself to start dreaming of being meaningful players in big business. Mawere together with these and other entrepreneurs became beacons of hope for any emerging black business person. It is important that we acknowledge such business icons and legends whilst they are still alive.

This is so because one could readily and easily relate to their back ground and say if Mawere can do it then there is no reason why any other young entrepreneur with humble beginnings can not achieve the same feat. This is where the impact of being a Point of Light is amplified.

And when someone succeed there is never a shortage of people especially politicians claiming credit

There is need to follow the Africa Resources Limited story from the beginning to understand how Mawere started ARL.I think the reader has not taken time to research and gather facts about Mawere.The website http://www.mmawere.com/ has detailed accounts about Mawere and his struggle .The link icon marked ARL Origins story is particularly useful.

Mawere started his venture more than 13 years ago. He has not shifted that focus upto the present day he has been pushing for a greater involvement for black Africans into big business and participation in tapping into Africa’s vast wealth .This is what a point of light does and is expected to do .

Our generation must rise above the narrow restrictions of the divisions that have been imposed upon us through various artificial boundaries including gender ,ethnicity, race, religion, class, status and station in life. It is not progressive to see ourselves through the narrow eye of the limitation of the boundaries of our own individual, family and country spaces. Africans must act in a manner uplifts the “Africa brand“. This includes recognizing other Africans who have played a meaningful role in the advancement of the Africa brand.

Mawere built ARL over a ten year period. When Mawere’s business Group was nationalized he remained resolute in stating the facts and educating others about the inner workings of deal making ,structuring, financing and execution .

When Mawere’s business was nationalized he did not taking it lying down .It is important to note several other business people had businesses nationalized, closed, seized or looted by well connected individuals. As a point of Light Mawere provided leadership in exposing these various expropriation schemes disguised as corrective measures meant to fix the Zimbabwe Economy .

There is a certain level of self belief and mental fortitude required to resist such bullying and intimidatory measures that Mawere was subjected .The mere fact that he is still standing and continues to inform and educate others by filling information and execution gaps qualifying him as a Point of Light .

According to the links below Mawere is set to reclaim his assets. What does that say about the manner in which the Empire was taken
(1) .http://allafrica.com/stories/200906260616.html

(2) http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/jun21a_2009.html#Z13

(3) http://www.thezimbabweindependent.com/index.php/comment/22536-zabg-testament-to-lawlessness

(4) http://www.thezimbabweindependent.com/index.php/local/10699

Not many can practically relate to the path Mawere has traveled from building ARL to its nationalization but remain focused and standing. We must note the whole state machinery was unleashed in an attempt to silence and break his spirit. State Institutions, Government departments, State Media and state security machinery were all fully deployed in a desperate attempt to undermine the role Mawere has played in economic advancement of the African Brand.

In reviewing Mawere‘s nomination as a deserving recipient of the ‘BOAF-5000 POL Lifetime Achievement Award’ we need to look at the requirements for membership and qualification .
The awards are meant for African Citizens. People of African heritage or permanent residents whose life-long careers have had a significant impact on society. Individuals who have the potential to be roles model and inspire creativeness, inventiveness, spirit of service, and hope in others also qualify for the award.

Any African can qualify from social to economic entrepreneurship, the ‘BOAF-5000 POL Lifetime Achievement Award’ recognizes outstanding individuals whose pioneering spirit, fame, power, personality, accomplishments, and demonstrated creativeness and inventiveness throughout their careers has improved African society and inspired others in Africa and beyond.

Gilbert Muponda is CEO and Co-Founder of 3MG Media . He can be reached at; www.Zimface.com

Email: gilbert@3mgmedia.ca . Skype ID: gilbert.Muponda

Twitter ; http://twitter.com/gmricapital

Phone: 1-416-841-5542

Mutumwa Mawere a Point of Light for Zimbabwe Diaspora

Mutumwa Mawere a Point of Light for Zimbabwe Diaspora Community

As Zimbabweans reflect and debate about the future they want it is important to note the role to be played by individuals in formulating discussions centered on nation building and value development .During such debates there is need to identify points of light who have taken ordinary and extra ordinary steps to keep certain discussions alive and have played a self less role in educating others about nation building and the need for a cultural shift on how many Africans relate to business and endeavors in business.

In this article I have chosen to look at Mutumwa Dziva Mawere, a man I believe is one of Africa’s Points of Light in the Continent’s quest to develop its own class of business leaders who are capable of developing the continent. Mutumwa was born in Zimbabwe but now a South African citizen , however this has not stopped him in being a point of light on the Zimbabwean business scene where he has continued to write religiously clarifying various concepts related to business, economy and general economic empowerment of Africans.

Mutumwa has developed a respectable profile as an African business executive, pioneer, financier, banker and entrepreneur best known setting up and being Chairman of Africa Resources Limited . Whilst many may not agree or understand how Mawere built his business empire it is important to note he has been an inspiration to many budding and emerging business people in Zimbabwe and beyond .

A society needs a point of light who assist in taking initiatives that can result in generation altering actions and trends. Mawere’s acquisition of SMM was one such initiative. It was a transaction that served to inspire many entrepreneurs of that generation and many other to follow.

For one to achieve high level of business success there is often need to see others before you who succeed. Their success serves as an encouragement, inspiration and eye opener for many others. This is the impact that Mawere had on many in business in the 1990s and the 2000s .

In 1988, Mawere joined the World Bank as a Young Professional which allowed him to get exposure in deal structuring at the highest level . After completing the program in 1989, he was appointed as an Investment Officer for the International Finance Corporation, the private sector lending arm of the World Bank. He rose through the ranks to become a Senior Investment Officer in 1994. In 1995, he resigned from the World Bank and immigrated to South Africa where he has been based since.

In 1995, Mutumwa founded Africa Resources Limited (ARL), an investment holding company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Island. In August 1995, he approached T & N Plc the UK domiciled parent company of Shabanie & Mashaba Mines Private Limited (SMM) with a proposal to acquire the company's Zimbabwean subsidiaries i.e. the asbestos mines, two Zimbabwean industrial companies and a Zambian manufacturing company. This acquisition was the beginning of the empire he built which span almost every sector of the Zimbabwe economy .

In 2004, the entire group was nationalized by the government of Zimbabwe. The nationalization was challenged in a number of litigations in Zambia, South Africa and the United Kingdom. The ARL group of companies employs approximately 20,000 people and generates about US$400 million in turnover. Seven of the subsidiary companies are listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange.

Having lost such a huge business empire Mawere did not turn his back on Zimbabwe he instead remained engaged and proactive about how various policies need to be reviewed and changed to allow proper indigenization and empowerment take place.

Mawere built his business Group within a 10 year period. This is critical in relation to the fact that Zimbabwe has been independent for 29 years. One wonders if Mawere’s Group had been left to develop over a 29 year period where would it be?

The expropriation of Mawere’s business is well documented. What has been remarkable is how Mawere has kept his head up and written almost weekly to educate others on how his business was financed ,structured, built and finally nationalized. This is where one has to acknowledge that leadership is not a position but rather leadership is action. Mawere led a pro-longed campaign to educate others on the hazards of doing business under unstable social and political conditions.

It takes a true Point of Light to remain committed to your country of birth despite all the odds and trials that would have made it easy to abandon it. Mawere has demonstrated that one does not need to be based in Zimbabwe to continue to play a meaningful role.

This makes Mawere a Point of Light for the Zimbabwe Diaspora in particular and Zimbabweans in general simply by the way he has given has time, resources and energy to continue to remain engaged on matters relating to Zimbabwe’s nation building project and its Economic well being. Zimbabwe is in need of more Points of Light in the Diaspora who use their exposure and networks to influence positive development in policy formulation and in any other ways that are progressive.

Gilbert Muponda is a Co-Founder of 3MG Media . He can be reached at; Zimface

Email: gilbert@3mgmedia.ca . Skype ID: gilbert.Muponda

Twitter ; http://twitter.com/gmricapital

Phone: 1-416-841-5542


Mutumwa Dziva Mawere has developed a respectable profile as an African business executive, pioneer, financier, banker and entrepreneur best known setting up and being Chairman of Africa Resources Limited ("ARL"). Whilst many may not agree or understand how Mawere built his business empire it is important to note he has been an inspiration to many budding and emerging business people in Zimbabwe and beyond .

An society needs point of light who assist in taking initiatives that can result in generation altering actions. Mawere’s acquisition of SMM was one such initiative . It was a transaction that served to inspire many entrepreneurs of that generation and many other to follow.

For one to achieve high level of business success there if often need to see others before you succeed. Their success serves as an encouragement and eye opener for many others. This is the impact that Mawere had on may in business in the 1990s and the 2000s .

In 1988, Mawere joined the World Bank as a Young Professional which allowed him to get exposure in deal structuring at the highest level . After completing the program in 1989, he was appointed as an Investment Officer for the International Finance Corporation, the private sector lending arm of the World Bank. He rose through the ranks to become a Senior Investment Officer in 1994. In 1995, he resigned from the World Bank and immigrated to South Africa where he has been based since.

In 1995, he founded Africa Resources Limited (ARL), an investment holding company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Island, before settling in South Africa. In August 1995, he approached T & N Plc the UK domiciled parent company of Shabanie & Mashaba Mines Private Limited (SMM) with a proposal to acquire the company's Zimbabwean subsidiaries i.e. the asbestos mines, two Zimbabwean industrial companies and a Zambian manufacturing company. This acquisition was the beginning of the empire he built which span almost every sector of the Zimbabwe economy .

In 2004, the entire group was nationalized by the government of Zimbabwe. The nationalization was challenged in a number of litigations in Zambia, South Africa and the United Kingdom. The ARL group of companies employs approximately 20,000 people and generates about US$400 million in turnover.

Seven of the subsidiary companies are listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange. Having lost such a huge business empire Mawere did not turn his back on Zimbabwe he instead remained engaged and proactive about how various policies need to be reviewed and changed to allow proper indigenization and empowerment take place.

The expropriation of Mawere’s business is well documented. What has been remarkable is how Mawere has kept his head up and written almost weekly to educate others on how his business was financed ,structured, built and finally nationalized. This is where one has to acknowledge that leadership is not a position but rather leadership is action. Mawere led a pro-longed campaign to educate others on the hazards of doing business under unstable social and political conditions.

It takes a true Point of Light to remain committed to your country of birth despite all the odds and trials that would have made it easy to abandon it. Mawere has demonstrated that one does not need to be based in Zimbabwe to continue to play a meaningful role.

This makes Mawere a Point of Light for the Zimbabwe Diaspora in particular and Zimbabweans in general simply by the way he has given has time, resources and energy to continue to remain engaged on matters relating to Zimbabwe’s nation building project and its Economic well being.

Zimbabwe is in need of more Points of Light in the Diaspora who use their exposure and networks to influence positive development in policy formulation and in any other ways that are progressive.