Of dubious organisations and dubious accolades

By R Tendo Tapiwa

So the Institute of Philanthropy is out and about giving awards again. For those who do not recall, this is the same one behind those “awards” to the likes of Tuku, Mrs Makandiwa and others. 

You all recall that the institute was dismissed by scholars as being bogus.

Well, they are refusing to be bogus and have just awarded the First Lady with The Philanthropist of the year award!! That’s right folks! That award is non-discriminate.

So far, people from all famous walks of life in Zimbabwe have received this award with one Gershom Pasi (the Zimra big guy) refusing to turn up at the award ceremony and therefore forfeiting the award!! (Like seriously, how does one even lose the award because he did not show up to receive it? That is far too revealing, I tell you)

Never mind that the PIZ is made up of three board of trustees…yes, my friends, THREE individuals, who among themselves probably do not even know what a doctorate is (given that the oldest is only 32)

What I found particularly interesting is the fact that PIZ says on its website that it is affiliated to The IIP and upon navigating to the site, I was struck by how similar the websites are.

As for the African Institute, there is NOTHING like that. If one clicks on the link, one is taken to a section on the IIP’s site where it mentions African philanthropy or some such.

I am really angered that people will run around screaming in town about all these accolades yet a little digging will unearth a lot of irregularities.

Can our journalists just do their jobs regardless of who is behind these ridiculous activities in our nation.

Please visit websites, verify identities and accolades and save yourselves and the nation some embarrassment.

But let me not lecture, I am no lecturer or doctor, at that. LOL

Anyway, I decided to take screenshots of the news and sites so that you all can read for yourselves, and no one will accuse me of “doctoring” stuff. LOL Forgive my sense of humour.