Grace revels in Biz, philanthropy award

Grace Mugabe runs an orphanage at her Mazowe farm

Announcing the award, Industry and Commerce Minister Mike Bimha sang praises for President Robert Mugabe’s wife, praising her passion for entrepreneurship in agribusiness and philanthropy.

“This is a unique award and it goes to a woman who is a philanthropist and has funded an orphanage on a farm,” said minister Bimha.

“She (Grace) has passion and has developed a school, orphanage and a dairy farm. She is adding value to the economy and growing crops to feed cattle at the farm.”

Accepting the award, The First Lady said she felt humbled by the honour.

“As a citizen of this country, I feel that I have a responsibility to build Zimbabwe without expecting to get any accolade,” she said.

“I can’t believe I am being honoured as I didn’t know they would do so. I accepted because I am a firm believer in rewarding those who excel. I am humbled and delighted.”

She said she works “very hard on her projects in Mazowe” where she is also expanding the primary and secondary schools.

Meanwhile, Gweru-based female contractor, Smelly Dube who runs River Valley Properties once again emerged the businesswoman of the year for the fifth year in a row.

She beat Zimbabwe Open University Vice Chancellor Primrose Kurasha to the award.

The businessman of the year was Serge Levy, son to Sam Levy who developed Sam Levy Village in Borrowdale, Harare.

Graham Richards who runs the N.R Richards chain of stores and James Goddard were each honoured with the lifetime achievers award for their contributions to the economy.

N.R Richards operate more than 20 stores countrywide while Godard has one Zimbabwe’s largest earth moving and construction businesses as well as a haulage company.