THE organisers of the Inaugural Dungwiza Community Trailblazers Awards (DCTA) 2025, which was held at the Aquatic Complex in Chitungwiza last Friday, say they were impressed by the its resounding success and the support of stakeholders and the Chitungwiza community at large.
Speaking to NewsDay Life & Style after the event, Albert Masaka, the director for Perfection Media (Private) Limited, the organisers of the event, said the Dungwiza Community Trailblazers Awards was an extension of the National Zimbabwe Community Trailblazers Awards, adding that the recent foundational event was a resounding success and lived up to expectation.
“This event targets outstanding performers in Chitungwiza and Mashonaland East province at Large who have done so well to better the lives of people in Chitungwiza and beyond,” he said.
“We are looking forward to a much bigger event next year and we got assurance from our partners that preparations have to start immediately. We trust that with adequate resources we can move from strength to strength.
“We thank our partners, Heritage Events, Moreblessing Cherai, Zesa Holdings, Chitungwiza Town Council, ERC Projects and Marondera Rural District Council. We are calling on more partners to come on board.”
Chitungwiza Arts Centre chairperson Tendai Gwaravaza said the recognition of Distinguished Arts Centre was a deserved merit for their hard work.
“Thank you so much to the organisers for this incredible honour. We are truly humbled to be recognised for the contributions our art centre made to the arts,” Gwaravaza said.
“This award is a testament to the hard work, dedication and passion of all our artists and the management committees since 1997 to date.
“We are grateful to be part of such a vibrant and creative community, and we look forward to continuing our mission to inspire and uplift through the arts.”
The highly-inclusive event also had Manners Mukuwiri from the Chitungwiza Arts Centre as the winner of the Distinguished Artist Award.
Other prominent artists, who won awards, are the king of sungura music, Alick Macheso, who scooped the Distinguished Sungura Musician Award, whereas Dadza D went home with the Distinguished Dancehall Musician Award.
The Creative Musician Award went to Nkosilathi Sibiya, popularly known as Volts JT, and the Outstanding Contribution to Music and Social Impact Award was grabbed by Loveness Mainato.
Outspoken gospel singer and performer, Bethany Pasinawako was recognised and honoured for her Outstanding Album Launch.
Norest Matende was given the Fast-rising Gospel Music Minister accolade.
Former Alpha Media Holdings journalist Tafadzwa Kachiko, who is now Chitungwiza Municipality public relations officer, was honoured with the Outstanding Public Relations Practitioner Award.
Kachiko’s award was received on his behalf by Chitungwiza Progressive Residents Association secretary-general Gift Kurupati.
Kachiko has led the transformation of Chitungwiza Municipality’s public relations strategy, implementing fresh, innovative communication methods that prioritise transparency, resident engagement and timely information dissemination.
Apostle Farai Rukweza got the Outstanding Community Champion in Heritage and Tourism Development Award, while Christ Embassy Chitungwiza got the Outstanding Church in Innovative Use of Technology gong.
Other media personalities, who won awards, include Muchaneta Chimuka (Outstanding Community News Journalist), Terrance Mapurisana (Distinguished Broadcast Journalist), Gilbert Munetsi (Distinguished Print Journalist), Langton Nyakwenda (Outstanding Sports Journalist) and Zesa Chitungwiza as the Communicator of the Year.
The Outstanding Journalist and Human Rights Advocate Award went to Philemon Jambaya of ZimNow, while the Outstanding Community Journalist Award went to Yeukai Karengezeka.
The Outstanding TV Broadcaster recognition was taken by Melody Itayi Ushewokunze.
The Inaugural Dungwiza Community Trailblazers Awards 2025 emerged as a vibrant, inspiring and purpose-driven celebration of local excellence.
With strong community engagement, enthusiastic stakeholder support and recognition across diverse sectors, the event laid a solid foundation for a brighter, more impactful future.
