The Zimbabwe Vigil recently launched an attack on the Zimbabwe Achievers Awards for accepting the nomination of pro-Mugabe academic George Shire. Below is a response directed at the Zimbabwe Vigil.
My name is Shelley Cox and I am on the panel for The Zimbabwe Achievers Awards and am currently working as Vice Chairperson for the Zimbabwe Business Network. I apologise that I have not had the opportunity to get back to you following the emails received through our zimachievers address.
It was recently bought to my attention of the 12th February 2011 Diary Insert for the Zimbabwe Vigil Diary and I was saddened at your brutal attack on our initiative, The Zimbabwe Achievers Awards, without having spoken directly to anyone on our Panel / Committee.
Zimbabwe Achievers Awards is a non-political initiative whose main objective is to raise up the hope of Zimbabweans by focusing on positive recognition and awareness of the achievements, talents and excellence of Zimbabweans in various sectors, irrelevant of their race, culture, tribe or political affiliation.
The ZAA Committee is inclusive of Zimbabweans from different races, tribes and political affiliations but we have left our ‘differences’ at the door in order to try and create a platform whereby all Zimbabweans can do the same and look at the positive elements of our country and find some form of common ground to celebrate other people’s achievements.
In addition, the candidates selected for awards in the specific categories were put forward by the public and we are by no means underestimating the achievements of other Zimbabweans worldwide.
It is only natural that in a country which has been torn apart by politics that there will be controversial figures on both sides of the fence. We had expected to receive some harsh criticism considering that unfortunately politics is in the forefront of most Zimbabweans minds and that a great deal of Zimbabweans have forgotten how to leave politics behind.
We are trying to focus on creating a United front to move our country forward by celebrating the fact that we are an intellectual, hardworking and multi-talented population. If you review the list of all shortlisted nominees in every sector, you will notice that we have controversial figures on both sides of the scale. To call us a dubious organization simply because we have a shortlisted candidate who does not follow the views and ideas of the Zimbabwe Vigil is somewhat short-sighted and unreasonable.
Whilst I can understand your disdain at having someone with opposing ideas be selected for an Award, I am sure there will be other organizations or individuals who feel the same way about the nomination of someone such as Peter Godwin (used as an example) who has been shortlisted as a nominee for writer of the year. Peter Godwin has written several books about Mugabe’s regime and not from a positive light. I personally have read every single one of Peter’s books.
None of the nominees and their ideas and views reflect the aims and ethos of Zimbabwe Achievers Awards. Whislt George Shire’s actions in Lisbon are indeed controversial, it is not his political viewpoints that saw him shortlisted for an Award.
According to Wikipedia, ‘In the United Kingdom, George Shire is closely linked to ‘Surroundings’ – the journal of culture and politics. He has written articles for the Guardian Newspaper, the New African Times, BBC Focus on Africa and Africa Business Monthly.
For more than 20 years he has taught and worked in higher education institutions within the UK in the fields of access and widening participation, English and cultural studies and post colonial studies. He has worked for the Open University (UK) as a regional academic advisor, as a policy development officer, and as a coordinator of widening participations projects.’
It is for these reasons mentioned above that George Shire was nominated for an Academic Award.
I hope that this fully clarifies our position and that you Zimbabwe Vigil will consider retracting the attack and statements made on Zimbabwe Achievers Awards. We, like yourselves, are a group of Zimbabweans with so much love for our country and are hoping for and wanting to see a change. But change can only happen if we are willing to make changes ourselves.
If you would like to arrange a meeting with me please feel free to contact me on this address.
Thank you and Kindest Regards
Shelley Cox
Vice Chairperson
Zimbabwe Business Network
