The board of the Marketers Association of Zimbabwe wishes to inform its members, stakeholders, the entire business community and the media on the appointment of Mr Denford Mutashu as the Chairperson of the Superbrand Adjudication committee with effect from June 1 for the next two years.

Mr Mutashu takes over the chairmanship from Dr Eve Gadzikwa whose two year term of office ended at the end of May this year.

The new chairperson, Mr Mutashu is also the President of the Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers. A passionate retailer who has extensive exposure to brands and businesses in Zimbabwe. His business interests currently are in clothing and grocery retail. He also works closely with government and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce in different capacities. He is a Former GM and Board Member for Foodworld Supermarkets for 17 and half years

Marketers Association of Zimbabwe, Secretary General, Mr Gillian Rusike welcomed Mr Mutashu as the new chairperson and also paid tribute to Dr Eve Gadzikwa for her invaluable contribution during her term of office.

“I would like to welcome our new Chairperson of the Superbrand Adjudication committee Mr Mutashu. We know him to be very passionate about local brands from his responsibilities as the President of the Zimbabwe Retailers Association and a local business person. The board is confident he will bring vast knowledge about our brands and that wisdom will perpetuate our business sector into higher dimensions of competitiveness as they push for quality products in Zimbabwe.

Also we want to thank Dr Eve Gadzikwa for her contribution towards the growth of the Superbrand Awards. She was committed and brought in a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the committee. She made a clarion call for quality, standards and professionalism on branding and brands saw the competition moving to the higher levels in its history,” said Mr Rusike.

In his acceptance Speech, Mr Mutashu said he was excited to have been elected to lead the Superbrand Adjudication committee as the chairman.

“It is an exciting opportunity for me to work with the leading brands in Zimbabwe. And I would like to believe that the opportunity came at a time when brands are subdued due to the Covid 19 pandemic.

At the same time that we should not let brands die, we should do everything that we can to ensure that we not only resuscitate those brands that could be facing challenges but also ensure that there are other emerging brands in the country,” said Mr Mutashu.

He said due to a number of varying factors, he has noted that most brands were struggling to meet market demand.

 “Currently most brands are failing to satisfy local demand so it is our clarion call to Government to work very closely with these Superbrands so that we can deliberately support them so that they are able to meet market demand and exceed expectation.

We will ensure that we work very closely with Government to ensure that it plays its part in terms of supporting our local brands,” he said.

Mr Mutashu who has been a committee member said he learnt a lot from his predecessor, Dr Gadzikwa.

“I have been part of the committee and it has been quite exciting during that period that I’ve worked under the stewardship of Dr Eve and I will continue to work with her during my tenure. She has lots of knowledge about standards, about brands, about the market dynamics in Zimbabwe,” he said.

The Superbrand Awards have earned a solid reputation as far as celebrating brand excellence is concerned. These awards which were birthed in 2010 celebrate brands that go beyond excellence in service delivery and those that are top in the minds of the consumer.

Thank you!

MAZ Board