The Registrar of the Harare Institute of Technology, Mrs Mary Samupindi has clinched second position in Zimbabwe's Top 20 Outstanding Women of the Year Awards by Megafest.
The awards ceremony was held at the Cresta Lodge in Harare on 15 December 2016, and was attended by Deputy Registrar – Human Resources and Administration, Dr Noah Mutongoreni, Acting Director –ICTS Mrs Miriam Chahuruva, Assistant Registrar – Central Services, Ms Siphilla Maphosa and Public Relations and Marketing Manager, Mrs Sharai Muonwa.
The event was also attended by captains of industry, entrepreneurs and the legal fraternity among others.
Speaking on her award, an upbeat Mrs Samupindi said, "I feel greatly honoured, and at the same time overwhelmingly humbled by such recognition. I have never, even in my wildest dreams ever imagined that I would receive such notice. I am simply bowled over by it all because it was never expected, nor anticipated," she said.
Mrs Samupindi describes fear and respect for the word of God as her major winning attribute. "This has taught me to respect my superiors, my peers, my subordinates, our students, their parents and guardians and all of the Harare Institute of Technology stakeholders. I am also endowed with a huge capacity for patience, for listening and the ability to read situations and persons and act accordingly. Coupled with that, I believe in acknowledging good effort and successes where appropriate and encouraging others to realise their potential," she said.
As the Principal Administrator of the Institute, Mrs Samupindi is charged with ensuring systems, processes and procedures are in place and are being followed to ensure the Institute achieves its mandate. Samupindi has been at the fore of ensuring that the Institute adopts modern systems and procedures in line with international standards; and is driven by professionalism and the observance of systematic procedures. She describes her leadership style as one that is inspired by the fear of God, the respect for His word and the recognition of the humanity and humanness of everyone; regardless of their status.
My vision for the University is that it maintains its focus on the delivery of its mandate and do all it can to stay the course.
Mrs Samupindi notes that there are opportunities for females with the necessary qualifications and sense of professionalism to climb the ladder. "The Government created an equal opportunity scenario for all at independence and it is now up to individuals to take advantage of this enabling environment," she said.
She paid tribute to the Vice Chancellor, Eng. Q.C. Kanhukamwe; "for his mentorship and for creating such an environment that has made it possible for me to work in a manner that makes results possible; my peers for their support and encouragement, my subordinates for their support and the entire student body and staff at HIT for being a family that makes it possible for dreams to come true. Finally, I thank my family without whose prayers; I would not be where I am today."
Chief Executive Officer of Lafarge Cement, Mrs Amal Tantawi emerged first, with Dr Evelyn Garwe of the Zimbabwe Council of Higher Education, (ZIMCHE) taking third place.
The awards ceremony is held to honour men and women who are making a positive contribution to Zimbabwe's economic growth through their professionalism and competence.