Marketers Association of Zimbabwe (MAZ) has ushered in new leadership in order to allow a continuous flow of fresh ideas that can contribute to the growth of the profession and the Association at large.

 At the Annual General Meeting held on 29 October 2020, MAZ held elections which saw five new board members being elected, who are Professor Zororo Muranda, Liberty Kazhanje, Andrew Tawodzera, Emilia Mabika, and Lawrence Kupika.

Prof Muranda was duly elected as the President, becoming the 6th President of the Association taking over the reins from Denny Marandure.

Board members who retired include Denny Marandure, Dedrey Mutimutema, Unaiswi Nyikadzino, Dr Eldrette Shereni, Dr Tapera, More Moyo and Sydney Sibanda.

The new board members join current board members who are serving their second and last term who include, Roselyn Chisveto and Dennis Mambure.

The new president, Prof Muranda is currently the Pro Vice Chancellor (Business Development and Resource Mobilisation) at Chinhoyi University of Technology.

In a statement professor Muranda expressed his delight and commitment to pursue the vision of the organisation taking it from where his predecessors left. He is not new to the association having once saved previously as a board member hence his foundation is well informed.  

He is a Full Professor of business and a widely respected senior academic in business education. He has worked for the past twenty eight years as a university lecturer and professor. Prof Muranda is a prolific researcher. He has published more than 40 articles comprising a book, journal articles and refereed conference proceedings. His research interests and advisory are in strategy, international marketing, internationalisation, corporate social responsibility, corporate governance, and entrepreneurship. He has been and continues to be a major asset in the areas of training and development in our profession.

He holds a Bachelor of Business Studies (UZ), Master of Philosophy (Area of Study: Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development) and Doctor of Philosophy (Area of Study: International Marketing).

MAZ Secretary General Gillian Rusike said the coming back on the leadership crest of Prof Muranda as the president set the association on a new and better trajectory for the profession at large as his wealth of experience will better our interface with the academic sector where marketers are brewed.

“It is paramount for any institution to be futuristic in approach hence a solid relationship with the institutions where they are made is of paramount importance,” said Rusike.

Rusike also said that the association would like to work closely with institutions of higher learning in order that there is alignment of graduates they produce and expectations from industry particularly from a marketing point of view.

The other elected board members are key as they come from industry to complement the much needed expertise to run the organisation professionally.