Zimnat Marathon Raises $7 000 For Cebisani Ndlovu’s Surgery
Zimnat’s first charity marathon, which was held at Barclays Sports Club in Harare on November 10, managed to raise almost the whole amount originally quoted for 30-year-old Bulawayo resident Cebisani Ndlovu’s spinal cord surgery.
When Mr Ndlovu approached Zimnat for assistance, the amount needed at that time for the surgery at Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo was $7 500. The marathon raised almost $7 000.
Mr Ndlovu, who holds a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) Honours degree in Risk Management and Insurance, has difficulty walking, even with the aid of crutches, which he first started using in Form One.
Moved by his plight, Zimnat decided to hold a charity marathon to raise as much of the money as possible. Hundreds of people were touched by Zimnat’s plea to assist Mr Ndlovu, as evidenced by the turnout for the run, with 740 people taking part in the half-marathon or runs over shorter distances and others donating towards the cause.
Participants also had an opportunity to talk to Mr Ndlovu and have pictures taken with him, as he came to witness the marathon.
The races, which started at 5.30 am, were pegged at 5km, 10km and 21km, with the majority of people taking part in the 5km run. Altogether, $6 810 dollars were raised.
Zimnat has paid out $550 of this amount for a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan, which will facilitate an updated quotation for the surgery required.
“The response to our plea for members of the public to take part in this marathon to help Mr Ndlovu was overwhelming,” commented Zimnat group marketing executive Angela Mpala.
“Zimnat is driven by a passion to empower companies and clients to reach their full potential and to making life better for others. We would like to thank all those who participated in the marathon or made donations towards this cause for helping us to make life better for Mr Ndlovu,” she said.
The Zimnat Group, which is comprised of Zimnat Life Assurance, Zimnat General Insurance, Zimnat Asset Management and Zimnat Financial Services, is associated with Sanlam, the biggest non-banking financial services group on the continent.
Zimbabwe Economic Outlook – Fourth Quarter
With the 2018 Zimbabwe harmonised elections out of the way, rebuilding a struggling economy was the first and possibly the most difficult task for the new president Emmerson Mnangagwa. The appointment of ex-bankers Professor Mthuli Ncube and George Guvamatanga as Finance Minister and Permanent Secretary in the Finance and Economic Development Ministry was met with optimism and excitement by the larger populace of Zimbabwe.
To kick-start economic recovery, the Finance Minister launched an economic blueprint dubbed Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP), set to run from October 2018 to December 2020. The programmes’ main focus was to stabilise the macro economy and financial sector, to introduce policy and institutional reforms, to address infrastructure gaps and to launch quick wins to stimulate growth.
The International Financial Institutions, which include the African Development Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank endorsed the TSP, whilst reiterating the need to have a thoughtful implementation of measures outlined in it.
The International Monetary Fund further adjusted the economic growth forecast to 3.6% from the 2.4% earlier projected in the beginning of the year. This however was contrary to a government adjustment of the same metric to 6.3% from 4.5% mentioned earlier in spite of the economy showing a number of visible challenges.
The biggest challenge the economy was facing was foreign currency shortages, a high budget and current account deficit, inflation pressures and infrastructure deficiencies.
As a measure to deal with the monetary and foreign currency challenges, the governor of Zimbabwe’s central bank the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, Dr John Mangudya, in his mid-term monetary statement announced that Zimbabwe was going to bring into effect again foreign currency accounts above the normal accounts. This move he said, was meant to increase hard cash deposits, to get rid parallel currency markets and to stabilize prices. Although the move saw people disposing off the local bond notes through hording of basic commodities, it led to a rise in prices of most essential consumer goods. The rise in prices of commodities however was caused by the adjusting of the economy to new policies according to the finance minister.
In an unorthodox approach, Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube added to the monetary statement with controversial fiscal reforms which the president of Zimbabwe said were a “necessary pain”. Perhaps the most debated part of the reform was the introduction of a 2 cents per every dollar tax on every electronic money transfer which was introduced in order to restore fiscal equilibrium. Some economist have categorised the tax as a quick win under the TSP. Others have also mentioned that the tax would increase the collection base of the Government in the informal sector.
The question everyone would want answered in this uncertain period, is what’s next for the economy of Zimbabwe? My answer would be even in our uncertain periods we have always risen above and created opportunities, a good example would be arguably the use of digital banking as a necessity more than a want.
The Importance Of Customization In Managing Funds
Zimnat Asset Management provides carefully constructed, individually customized and separately managed accounts. These discretionary and non-discretionary portfolios allow clients to define their own parameters for returns and liquidity based on their risk tolerance, cash flow needs and investment horizon.
The research team holds detailed discussions with prospective clients to establish the desired investment objective, performance benchmark and expected risk/return characteristics, among other requirements.
Critical elements of our separately managed accounts include:
- Risk management: robust analysis of cash flows, debt and corporate governance of the companies underlying the bonds, equities and private equity we are invested in.
- Strong structure, thorough set-up and documentation process.
- Adaptability to changing inflation rates and interest rates that are characteristic of the local economic environment given the changing policies.
Our strategy seeks to deliver consistent returns, preserve principal and provide liquidity. How is this achieved:
- The research team regularly meets to discuss our fundamental outlook for the economy, focusing on factors such as GDP growth, unemployment and interest rates. Data from a range of internal and external economic sources are compiled and debated by the team, and a consensus view is established. This view is then translated into investment strategies, which guide portfolio decisions.
- Periodic reviews of the portfolio and investment guidelines ensure that the portfolio remains relevant for the client’s investment objectives.
- Scenario analysis is used to evaluate portfolio performance in different environments to help determine optimal portfolio positioning across different investment sectors.
- Investment classes include: government bonds, corporate bonds, listed equities and private equity.
ZAM provides an integrated approach to client servicing for separately managed accounts. Each client has access to a client service team consisting of the client advisor who also acts as the portfolio manager, the Risk and Compliance Officer and a client account manager.
- The client advisor serves as the key point of contact for the client and manages the overall client relationship. He provides strategic advice reflecting industry perspective and presents insights on investment allocation.
- The client advisor is supported by a team of research analysts who continuously assess the economic environment and the portfolio’s performance in line with the market outlook.
- The client account manager sets up the client’s account on ZAM’s accounting and client information systems. They also respond to day-to-day queries regarding deposits, withdrawals, current account balances and updated statements.
- The Risk and Compliance Officer handles all contractual, legal and regulatory issues.
- A crucial component in the risk management of separately managed accounts is the role of the custodian. A custodian works alongside the asset manager and is tasked with the settlement, safekeeping and reporting of all investments made.
Managed funds are especially valuable for large investors who have the goal but not the ability or resources to expertly manage their risks and returns.
Innovation Meetings
The business recently launched an innovation forum which holds meetings fortnightly. Participants are from all SBUs across the business and the teams come together to discuss proposed solutions for services products and processes for the business.
Presentation of the best solutions will be presented at the end of the year.
Zimnat Holds Golf Day At Borrowdale Brooke
Zimnat held its annual golf day at Borrowdale Brooke Golf Course in the month of August. Participants included clients from all four of its businesses units, namely Zimnat General Insurance, Zimnat Life Assurance, Zimnat Financial Services and Zimnat Asset Management. Prospective clients and business partners were also in attendance.
The day on the greens proved to be an excellent platform for Zimnat managers, staff and clients to not only play some challenging rounds of golf but also to interact with one another in an informal setting and discuss business opportunities and the services and products Zimnat offers.
The first tee off was at 11am with a four ball alliance format being played , loads of exciting prizes were won and the day ended with a relaxing cocktail in the golf course lounge . The first four ball alliance that scooped the number one prize comprised of Doctor Simbarashe Mazonde, Irimayi Madyambudzi, Artwell Marimira and Ngoni Nomatter Makiwa.
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Zimnat Runs Charity Marathon
Zimnat will hold its first ever Charity Marathon on the 10th of November 2018 at Barclays Sports Club Harare. The marathon is being held to assist 30 year old Cebisani Ndhlovu from Bulawayo who needs to undergo spinal code surgery at Mater dei Hospital Bulawayo. In order to undergo the surgery, Cebisani needs $7 500. He holds a BCom Honours Degree in Risk Management and Insurance.
The marathon is open to everyone willing to participate and contribute to this worthy cause. The distances to be run starting from 6am, include 5, 10 and 21km. With those running the 5km attract $5 and the others attracting $10 as registration fees.
Please visit the Charity Marathon website to register.
Zimnat Joins Fight Against Cholera
The Zimnat Group, joined the fight against the Cholera outbreak that broke out in Zimbabwe in September 2018. In an effort to make life better, Zimnat has been donating 20k litres of water every day at Budiriro 5D Current Shopping Centre in Harare. Below is a video from the initiative.
Customer Service Week 2018
The month of October is known as a month for celebrating customers internationally, with corporates devoting their efforts to recognising and honouring customers as well as the people who serve and support customers on a daily basis. This year, the celebrations were themed ‘Excellence Happens Here’ and Zimnat also participated in these celebrations in a very exciting way across all branches.
Celebrations at Zimnat started off on Monday the 1st of October with a theme set for each day of the week. Monday was a day for serving customers with a Positive Attitude, Tuesday was for ‘Speed’, Wednesday for ‘Taking action, Thursday was for ‘Listening to Customers’ Needs’ and finally Friday was dedicated to being a ‘Product Expert.’
Tuesday was the main celebrations day and Zimnat committed the day to celebrating the brand through wearing Zimnat branded wear and badges committing themselves to being a Customer Service Specialist.
Various activities were lined up for staff members and customers who visited the Zimnat branches. All new customers who signed up during the week walked away with a branded gift, those who submitted referrals also walked away with a branded gift and customers also had an opportunity to have pictures taken together with the Zimnat staff.
The week ended with the customer care team going through a teambuilding event held at Tree of Life in Ruwa on Saturday 6 October 2018.
Zimnat Exhibits At Harare Agricultural Show For The 1st Time; Wins Award
In August this year, Zimnat exhibited at the Harare Agricultural Show for the 1st time in years. The show which ran under the theme ‘Field to Industry: Produce, Connect, Develop, recorded a total of 575 exhibitors with 174 being new exhibitors. Zimnat was awarded ‘Best 1st time Commercial Exhibitor in any Sector.’
An innovative stand was set and manned by Zimnat staff members from the various divisions; Zimnat Life Assurance, Zimnat General Insurance, Zimnat Microfinance and Funeral Services Group.
The ambience and services offered at the stand was similar to any of the Zimnat branches with customers able to make general enquiries, sign up for an insurance policy or alter an existing policy the same way as they could at any Zimnat branch.
Various activations were run at the stand during the week which included sign up and win, refer and win, pop a balloon and win and daily quiz competitions which saw a number of visitor visiting the stand.
Zimnat Exhibits At Kwekwe Exhibition 2018, Wins Another Award
Zimnat took its exhibition journey to the Midlands on the 27th of September 2018 where the Kwekwe expo was being held from the 27th to the 29th of September 2018, under the theme ‘Consolidating our Local Economic Development.’ Masawara Pvt Ltd, CEO, Mr Shingai Mutasa was the Guest of Honour for the expo.
The same set up as at the Harare Agricultural Show characterised the Zimnat stand at the expo, and the team was awarded 2nd prize for ‘Best Insurance Services Exhibition’
The expo, organised by Kwekwe Publicity Association is an annual event held at the National Mining Museum whose main objective is to display the City of Kwekwe’s strengths and opportunities in industry, mining, agriculture, arts and to showcase the Kwekwe way of life.
Apart from the exhibition, the Zimnat Team had the opportunity to interact and showcase products and services to the Kwekwe Business community at a business conference held on the 28th of September 2018 and sponsored by Zimnat.