COMMERCIAL FARMERS’ UNON OF ZIMBABWE OSCAR AWARD 2010
The Zimbabwean Farming Oscar Award has a long and proud history, having been introduced in 1961 by the late Mr C G Tracey during his term as Vice President to the Commercial Farmers’ Union as an award in recognition of “those people who have generally done well for agriculture”.
This annual Oscar has become known as the “Farming Oscar” to be given to some person or persons who have given outstanding service to agriculture, and has been awarded to people who have contributed to the Industry in its widest sense.
Over the years winners have been chosen from the practical and scientific disciplines of agriculture, as well as from the administration and leadership roles with the winners selected in recognition of having contributed significantly to the agriculture progress in Zimbabwe.
This year’s winner is no exception, and fits the required profile as having given outstanding service in the advancement of agriculture over many years and especially the last five years in Zimbabwe.
He was born on the 3
rd February 1952. After completing his primary and secondary education he went on to obtain a Diploma in Agronomy specializing in soil science. He also obtained a Teaching Certificate for high level technical education and commissioned various training sessions. He further broadens his education by attending a Harvard Business School course and obtains a certificate in strategic negotiations, deal making for the long term.
Never did he know that this certificate would be tested to the limit in Zimbabwe.
His previous work colleagues describe him as a “never give up person” always trying to measure incidents through the eyes of other people. He is one hundred percent convinced in everything he takes on or his commitment to important things in life. He is obsessed with the environment and living in the bush. They even report him to have left for the bush to recharge and re focus when things got tough. They further describe him as a simply person with three wonderful children following in his footsteps and a very supportive wife.
He holds a karate belt, is also an advanced rock climber as well as advanced off road motor biker and is obsessed with Land Rover vehicles.
Some of his assignments were as follows: