December 2016 2017 Here’s tO DOING GREAT THINGS OFFSHORE CONVENTION CREW DROUGHT INSURANCE PROMotinG HEALTH AND WELLNESS CELEBRATING OMICO OLDMUTUAL OUR EMPLOYEES RUZHOWA/UTHANGO VUMBA MOUNTAIN RUN PG.13 PG.31 PG.34 CONTENTS 27 28 2016 NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOLS QUIZ 2016 MIDLANDS SHOW SOCIETY 5 We’ve Got M@il 26 39th National Choir Festival 7 Top Companies 29 Job Swap 10 Nurturing Rugby’s Future 31 OMICO Ruzhowa/Uthonga 13 Offshore Convention Testimonials 32 Wilika Program 2016 22 Old Mutual Unveils SME Centre 33 My First 100 Days 23 Old Mutual Brings Joy to Zvishavane 34 Old Mutual Vumba Mountain Run 24 Parting Is Such A Sweet Sorrow 35 Sweet Victory 25 Graduate Trainee Programme Graduation 2016 Editor’s LETTER Anxious moments were experienced when it came to visa applications, but our fears proved unfounded as the process was smooth. The only comment made by the officer who interviewed Chengetai and I was that we should be prepared to earn a few extra pounds during the cruise. The interview took less than two minutes! Although Impact Incentives & Events, the convention organisers, and Crispen Dimba from HR, did their best to prepare us for the convention, what I experienced and witnessed on the Oasis of the Seas surpassed even my wildest imagination. For starters, the Oasis of the Seas is a city on water, with a capacity of Dream holiday from over 6,296 people. To put things into perspective, this is greater than the combined capacity of all hotels in Zimbabwe! The Oasis of the Seas is second only in size to its sister, the Harmony of the Seas that embarked on its maiden voyage on the 29th of May this year. Old Mutual! Each of the ship’s 17 passenger decks presents a unique experience to I seldom fail to picture or anticipate impending events, especially in this age voyagers. It is truly a delight to culinary enthusiasts as it has a plethora of ICT that is associated with a glut of information, courtesy of the World Wide of themed restaurants. The various pubs and bars will satisfy even those Web. It is very easy for one to research on any subject, thanks to the University with the deepest of throats. of Google, so surprises are now hard and far between. It is truly a remarkable ship that brings the nations of the world together. The Offshore Convention is one rare exception. From the start, I was caught What struck me most on the cruise liner was the standard of excellence flat-footed. Here’s how: I received an instruction from the Group HR Executive, in service, cleanliness and attention to detail. It is difficult to fathom how Mrs Angeline Mundangepfupfu, to circulate a memo with the list of the winners management of the Oasis of the Seas is able to keep things flawless on of the convention. this gigantic floating city. As usual, I formatted the memo for broadcast and it was only on proofreading In this issue you will find various articles from colleagues who were that, lo and behold, I noticed my name. I was number 22 out of on the Offshore Convention, so I’ll leave it to them to tell their 23 winners. Words fail to describe how I felt upon this stories. Suffice for me to say the convention was a game changer. discovery. It was a surreal moment, but I It stretched my expectations in life and particularly challenged the dutifully circulated the email broadcast as way I view and plan for vacations. requested and then printed a copy for myself. For my family, this is exciting news as they know things will When I got home, I gave the copy to my wife, definitely never be the same again! Chengetai, and tongue in cheek said, “Look at how Old Mutual is rewarding some lucky It was an honour to be among the 2016 Offshore Convention employees.” She read it indifferently, perhaps Winners. wondering why I gave it to her in the first place, only for her face to light up when she got to number 22. We decided that we’d not share the good news with Tendai Mutseyekwa anyone, not even our four daughters, until just before Editor departure. Later we relaxed that decision when we advised both our parents, on the understanding they’d keep it strictly under wraps. Contact Us: [email protected] INSIDE OUT Telephone: +263 04 308 400 Editor: Tendai Mutseyekwa Creative Team: VPCG TEAM Contributors: Laiza Musesengwa, Xolani Ndhlovu, Milton Chowadzera 4 WE’VE EMAIL US [email protected] GOT M@IL WE’VE GOT M@IL Please find my feedback in response to the recently held Old Mutual 2016 National Choir Festival and take note of my suggestions for next time we host: · We need to have our own choir (Old Mutual Choir) to take part WINNING · School choirs should be included so as to pass on the tradition · The participating choirs should be awarded a branded tee-shirt highlighting the event (like the one the ushers had on) as tribute to the competition LETTER!!! Regards, Vimbai M Magadza | Credit Administrator HARARE ATHLETIC THE 2016 CLUB COMRADES CONFERENCE SPONSORSHIP OF HEADS OF On behalf of HAC and the sponsored athletes, I would INDEPENDENT like to take this opportunity to thank you, OLD MUTUAL, for Sponsoring Monica Kativhu and Peter Mavura to take SCHOOLS (CHISZ) part in the 2016 edition of the Comrades Marathon. On behalf of all CHISZ/ATS (Association of Trust Schools) Your sponsorship went a long way in ensuring that the members, I write to thank you for your financial support athletes trained and competed in the planned races. of our recent annual Conference. We are extremely Both Monica and Peter did well at Nongoma 56km grateful for your generous sponsorship and partnership Ultra Marathon where they both became the first this year. Zimbabweans to cross the line. Monica was the second lady home while Peter was third overall. At Comrades Being a ‘non-profit’ organization, we rely totally on Monica came 11th out of 12 000 women which is the sponsorship to allow us to run this important event at the best position by a Zimbabwean woman ever attained at high standard to which we aspire. The Conference would this race. After three years of preparing for this race she not have been possible without outside sponsorship, so I finally struck gold. This would not have been possible thank you most sincerely for your generosity. without the support from OLD MUTUAL. Her target is now to be in top ten or win the race. Peter got injured It is our hope that your involvement with CHISZ has at the start of the race and it was a very painful incident been beneficial to you too and that we continue to work considering that he was fully prepared for this race. together in the future. Once again I would like to thank you for your continued Kind regards support and look forward to working together for the TIM MIDDLETON betterment of sport in Zimbabwe. Executive Director Yours faithfully, Coach Aaron T.C Whyte 5 APPRECIATION FOR A CASH DONATION TOWARDS THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE BINDURA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE EDUCATION LIBRARY On behalf of Bindura University of Science Education, I am writing to express my sincere appreciation and gratitude for a donation of $50 000 Old Mutual extended towards the construction of a new library at the Bindura University of Science Education. It was my intention to thank you at the official handover, however since it has taken a bit long, I thought I should do it now. This donation will go a long way in ensuring that our 7 000 strong student population will have a new library in the year 2016. As I write, the construction work for phase 1 has been completed. We are now working on phase 2 through assistance from the Ministry of Public Works, Zimbabwe Defence Forces and donations from other well-wishers. It is our intention that part of the library would partially be opened before the 1st September 2016 for use by the students. The rest of the works will be completed before the end of November. As we acknowledge your donation, it is my wish that our partnership continues to grow from strength to strength and may God richly bless your entire organization for this humane act. Yours sincerely, Professor E Mwenje Vice Chancellor BERNARD MZEKI INVITATION TO THE HIGH SCHOOL 39TH OLD MUTUAL CHANGING ROOMS NATIONAL CHOIR SPONSORSHIP FESTIVALS I would like to express my gratitude towards the On behalf of Avondale Parish Choir we would like to sponsorship of swimming changing rooms made towards thank you so much (Old Mutual) for the opportunity you Bernard Mzeki School. I got to know of this wonderful gave us in the just ended Old Mutual National Choir news through the newsletter brought home by my son Festival. Indeed this will help us in a long way as far as who is in Form 1. choral music is concerned; indeed we learnt much and enjoyed the event. The feeling upon learning this was just phenomenal given this is from my company and my son gets to benefit Thank you and God bless you. from this kind initiative. Gilbert Thank you Old Mutual Group Marketing Team for (for Avondale Choir) enabling positive futures through this sponsorship. I am so proud to see my company being involved in doing great things for its wider communities. Grateful, Vimbai Matsika - OMLAC 6 ENGAGE COMMIT DELIVER Top Companies Survey 2016 7 The 2016 Top Companies survey dinner was a spectacular evening held virtually every sector of Zimbabwe’s economy, Old Mutual has also on the 11th of November at the Meikles Hotels’ Stewart Room.