Accountability Lab Zimbabwe to honour civil servants who have excelled in ethical leadership
Accountability Lab Zimbabwe (ALZ) is set to hold its annual Integrity Icon Summit and Awards Ceremony to honour individuals who exemplify the values of honesty, personal responsibility, and ethical leadership as identified and nominated by their local communities.
The third edition of the awards will be held on November 30, 2023 at the Cresta Msasa Hotel in Harare, and will be livestreamed on the organisation’s Facebook page.
ALZ Media and Communications Officer, Bathabile Dlamini, confirmed that five people will be recognised this year for their integral work while ALZ will be joining 15 other countries worldwide in acknowledging and encouraging integrity within governmental roles.
“This will keep the focus on exceptional civil servants who remain honest, responsible, and ethical against all odds, with an aim to inspire positive change and promote a culture of integrity” Dlamini said.
“The purpose of this event, now in its third edition, is to honour and recognise individuals who exemplify the values of honesty, personal responsibility, and ethical leadership who were identified and nominated by their respective communities.”
Dlamini said this year, Alban Mandeya, a renowned senior teacher of complete integrity at Wadzanai Primary School, is one of the five individuals who will be celebrated.
“Mandeya’s unwavering honesty and strong moral principles have led him to rise to the occasion and serve as acting deputy headmaster at Wadzanai,” Dlamini said.
“During his role as acting deputy headmaster, Mandeya handled multiple tenders with transparency and accountability, impressing those who worked with him. His open and consultative approach garnered praise from the committee involved in these tenders.”
Other individuals to be celebrated are Gracias Zhou, Francis Mhangwa, Stewart Magaya, and Benediate Bakasa, all of whom have been acknowledged for their high ethical standards as demonstrated in different professional capacities.
“Bakasa is the acting District Social Services Officer for Harare Central and has made remarkable contributions in tackling social issues within the hardened community of Epworth, addressing problems such as child sexual abuse, domestic violence, and drug abuse,” Dlamini said.
“Bakasa’s refusal to engage in corruption, despite countless opportunities to do so, has earned her the respect of her peers. Mhangwa, a registrar at the immigration offices in Harare, is another recognised icon who has served the public for over 30 years. Known for his humility and selflessness, Mhangwa goes above and beyond to meet the needs of those he serves. He is widely respected for his integrity and commitment to shunning corruption in all forms.”
Dlamini said the other individual, Magaya, who is a processing officer at the Civil Registry Department in Mutare, has defied the negative perception of his department through his friendly and efficient service.
“Magaya’s excellent interpersonal skills and willingness to assist others without expecting anything in return have gained the admiration of the local community. Lastly, we have Zhou, a Human Resources officer based at the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MoPSE) offices in Gweru, who has won the respect of her colleagues through her honest and integrity-driven work ethic. Zhou prioritises making everyone feel at home when they visit her desk, embodying the core principles of integrity,” Dlamini said.
The ALZ communication officer added that the ceremony will not only celebrate these exceptional individuals but will also feature guest speakers who will address integrity-related topics.
“Distinguished speakers such as Jonathan Gandari – Principal Director Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Linos Dhire of the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and Dr Christine Peta -Director Disability in the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, and more will offer their valuable insights during the event,” Dlamini said.
“The importance of integrity and ethical leadership cannot be understated, as demonstrated by the global movement that ALZ is part of. The celebration of Integrity Icons extends beyond this summit, aiming to identify, celebrate, and connect honest public servants. By highlighting their stories, ALZ strives to empower individuals and institutions to lead ethically and contribute to the building of an open, inclusive, and accountable society.”
