Mashonaland West companies were awarded for their responsible business practices during a responsible business awards ceremony held last Friday in Kariba.
The Responsible awards which ran under theme “Celebrating Sustainability Excellence towards achieving Vision 2030” was organized by Corporate Social Responsibility Network of Zimbabwe.
The awards were given to companies that are positively impacting on their stakeholders, the lives of communities in which they operate as well as the environments in which they operate in Mashonaland West province.
The Minister of State for Devolution Affairs and Devolution Mary Mliswa-Chikoka addressing the representatives appealed to companies to engage in sustainable CSR practices to help communities around them.
“Let us be the companies that say we are going to make a difference on peoples lives so that others follow. That is a plea to you all. Surely as business people we cannot rely on government to attend to pressing urgent matters around our communities but as businesses we can work together to achieve the developmental goals in our communities.”
Minister Mliswa added that it has become a song that people complain about government about issues that happen in our communities yet business people can work together with the government to make a difference.
“It is the same government that has given you an opportunity to operate as a business and make money. It is time to stop complaining and work hand in hand with the government to achieve the developmental goals.
CSRNZ Executive Director Willard Razawo weighed in challenging companies that CSR is more than a one-off set of initiatives or a glossy report but it is about the Purpose of your business”
“We want Zimbabwe to be recognized in the region and internationally for its CSR excellence and the leadership position that our businesses take in contributing to a better society. In fact, we want to see corporates deriving value out of their CSR investment, such that they become the drivers for the enactment of appropriate legislation that supports and motivates CSR in our country.” He said.
