Mpumelelo Musekiwa

Principal Human Resources Officer at Esigodini Agricultural College

Mpumelelo Musekiwa embodies integrity, transparency and community service as the Principal Human Resources Officer at Esigodini Agricultural College. She is known for having a strong ethical compass. Musekiwa has implemented initiatives that have redefined professionalism with her institutions, demonstrating a commitment her colleagues, the institution’s staff and the broader Esigodini community.

Musekiwa has cultivated a culture of integrity at Esigodini Agricultural College, setting high standards. She consistently models professional behaviour by being punctual, showing dedication and transparent. This has earned her the trust of her colleagues and the college’s students. 

She has taken concrete steps to address challenges within the institution such as recognizing that incidences of theft of agricultural produce and livestock was rooted in the financial struggles of staff. Musekiwa introduced self-help initiatives that enable employees to earn supplemental income without breaching institutional policies. By allow staff members to keep a small number of chickens and creating spaces for vegetable gardens, Musekiwa has fostered a sense of Ubuntu/ Unhu and accountability. This initiative has not only reduced theft, but also strengthened relationships within the college.

Musekiwa faces a major challenge in balancing the expectations of staff members in the college’s recruitment process. Often staff members want their family members to be recruited into the institutions as students of staff, while others want to restrict recruitment to people from Matabeleland South Province, in response to the systemic marginalisation of the region and its inhabitants. With sensitivity, Musekiwa has stood firmly on policy, ensuring equity and transparency in the recruitment of staff and students. 

Within the community Musekiwa is celebrated as a mentor and a role model. She frequently holds integrity centred staff meetings, guiding her team on issues related to honesty and accountability. Her emphasis on ethical values has positively impacted Esigodini Agricultural College’s reputation, building trust among stakeholders and attracting their support.

Beyond the college, Musekiwa is an active community member, participating in events such as career guidance fairs, business expos, and even modelling competitions by providing financial and moral support to these initiatives. She is dedicated to uplifting those around her, and is especially concerned with motivating and empowering women. Her commitment has earned her the position of Provincial Chairperson of the APEX Board for Women in Business, where she champions professional development for women and disadvantaged groups in her community.

Audrey Tasaranarwo

Public Relations Officer at Chitungwiza Hospital

Public Relations Officer at Chitungwiza Hospital, Audrey Tasaranarwo is celebrated for her unwavering commitment to patient care, community trust and high ethical standards in public service. She is a former nurse, and midwife with a deep understanding of hospital operations. She has leveraged her experience to advocate for patient rights, community engagement and quality healthcare.

As public relations officer, Tasaranarwo handles client complaints, building relationships with the media and community stakeholders. She has earned trust by ensuring that patient needs are addressed, personally following up with patients even after they have been discharged from the hospital. She organizes stakeholder feedback meetings, which give the community a voice in how the hospital is run, and allowing patients a platform to express concerns and contribute ideas. Her genuine empathy for patients is demonstrated through her support for individuals facing significant hardship. For instance, she provided baby formula for a family whose mother passed away during child birth and regularly assists a cerebral palsy patient with supplies and emotional support. 

Tasaranarwo’s integrity is evident in her stance against corruption. She escalated a report from a patient about a colleague who solicited bribes in exchange for services that were meant to be free. She also supported the patient to access the services without extra fees. She often faces challenges in navigating conflicts between patients and co-worker, but is focused on serving patients best interest. In addition, Tasaranarwo faces the difficulty of assisting financially struggling patients, but is tireless in pursing solutions such as referring them to social welfare, or arranging payment plans.

Beyond her formal responsibilities, Tasaranarwo has positively influences her colleagues, inspiring them to go the extra mile. She consistently advocates for the hospital’s needs, for example she secured funding for a borehole that presently provides lifesaving clean water to the maternity wing.

Tasaranarwo exemplifies transparency, empathy and dedication to client-centred healthcare. Her initiatives serve as an example of how healthcare workers can build community trust, advocate for patient rights and stand against unethical practices in the healthcare system.

Merjorie Sikundla

Matabeleland South Provincial Development Officer

Merjorie Sikundla, the Provincial Development Officer for Matabeleland South is a distinguished leader in community development and economic empowerment, and widely respected for her commitment to integrity and accountability. Sikundla oversees resource allocation for empowerment projects, and leads departments for Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Women Affairs and Community Development. She is known for her dedication to ethical leadership, and has set a standard for transparent corporate governance among her team.

Among her colleagues, Mrs. Sikundla is well-known for having an open-door policy, which encourages open communication and fosters trust with stakeholders, colleagues and community members alike. Sikundla openly shares her contact information with the public, ensuring that community members can reach out to her with their concerns, encouraging transparency and deterring corruption within her province. 

Her efforts to facilitate clear communication and accountability are evident in the positive reputation of her office. Notably, she and her staff were praised by the Ministry of Women’s Affairs for having zero reports of corruption following the rollout of a programme to assist women around the country with opening bank accounts. This stands as a testimony to her capable, and inspiring leadership in a challenging environment. 

A South African investor visiting the region praised Sikundla’s professionalism, recognizing her integrity as a key asset in attracting investment to the region. Her leadership style emphasizes mentorship and support, earning her respect and positioning her as a role model in the community. 

Among the challenges she faces is balancing the expectations of politicians and community leaders while safeguarding resources for deserving individuals. Sikundla is resolute in resisting undue influence and advocates for social justice by guarding her office from exploitation. She holds herself and others to the highest standards of integrity, ensuring that policies are followed, and misconduct is address with professionalism.

By educating her community on the importance of integrity, Sikundla empowers others to embrace ethical practices. Her work as a civil servant is a testament to the impact of integrity-driven leadership.

Alex Muzambi

Enterprise Risk Manager at Zimbabwe’s Grain Marketing Board

As the Enterprise Risk Manager at Zimbabwe’s Grain Marketing Board (GMB), Alex Muzambi has proven to be a formidable leader in the fight against corruption and unethical conduct. He has reshaped the GMBs approach to integrity through a series of targeted initiatives, creating a culture of accountability that extends across all levels of the organization.

Among Muzambi’s key contributions is the establishment of Integrity Committees at both the Board and Executive levels. These committees oversee the implementation of the revised Whistle-blower Policy, a Gifts Policy and enhanced Standard Operating Procedures promoting ethical and accountable practices. Through this leadership, the GMB has implemented strict guidelines for accepting gifts, instituting transparent reporting channels and a Code of Conduct that makes ethical misconduct and the abuse of office a chargeable offense. Muzambi has also set up a fully independent Integrity Section to address corruption and ensure that integrity issues receive the highest priority at the organization.

Muzambi’s influence has had a tangible impact on GOMB operations and the preservation of vital national resources. He steered the introduction of a secure and anonymous reporting platform which has led to the recovery of nearly 4,000 bags of fertilizer and 560 bags of wheat, worth over USD 130,000. Alongside an active informer network, the platform enables timely reporting and timeous action on incidents of theft and corruption. Dr Badarai, the GMB Chief Executive Officer, praised Muzambi saying, “he has shown great resolve in his work and has shown strong ethical conduct in all his dealings.” Dr. Badarai went further, relating that Muzambi had even reported an attempted bribe of USD800, demonstrating his strong commitment to upholding ethical standards and setting a strong example of personal integrity. 

Beyond enforcing rules. Muzambi actively empowers others to embrace integrity. He trains staff and stakeholders in corporate governance, reducing corruption-related incidents and building a workforce committed to ethical standards. By codifying policies like the Whistle-blower and Gifts policies, Muzambi has provided a framework that can serve as a benchmark for other public institutions aiming to foster integrity in their operations.

Muzambi’s work helps to combat food insecurity in Zimbabwe. He supports the integrity of drought relief and food security programs by preventing grain and agricultural inputs from being diverted or misused. His vigilance ensures that only genuine GMB-affiliated actors participate in the organisations distribution channels, preserving the Strategic Grain Reserve and supporting national food security. 

Despite challenges with limited resources and budgets, Muzambi has set a high standard for public servants across Zimbabwe. His efforts have transformed GMB into a model of integrity, where transparency and accountability drive organizational practices. Alex Muzambi’s work upholds the GMBs mission and serves as an inspiring example of how strong ethical leadership can drive meaningful change in public service.