The stage has been set for the inaugural Cimas @80 Media Awards to held in Bulawayo.
The awards will be held at Cresta Churchill Hotel.
Launched in September this year and supported by the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists
(ZUJ), the Cimas @80 Media Awards recognise the vital role the media continues to play
in disseminating credible health and wellness news that helps build a healthier and wellinformed society.
Featuring four categories namely Healthcare Transformation, Health and Wellness,
Excellence in Medical Innovation, and Public Health Awareness, the awards, which will
be held under the theme “Celebrating 80 Years of Transforming Lives,” are part of a series
of initiatives by Cimas Health Group to commemorate Cimas Medical Aid Society’s 80th
anniversary.
The awards that will recognise outstanding journalism across print, broadcast, and digital
media were open to Zimbabwean journalists from all media houses as well as
independent bloggers, with journalists expected to produce and publish in-depth, ethical,
and factual stories between September 12 and October 31.
The Cimas @80 Media awards attracted an overwhelming response with a total of 120
entries submitted across the four categories reflecting the growing interest in health
reporting and the media’s commitment to spotlighting issues of national importance.
Tonight’s awards ceremony will bring together media practitioners and stakeholders in
the health sector to celebrate excellence in health reporting.
Speaking ahead of tonight’s ceremony, Vuli Ndlovu, Chief Executive Officer of Cimas
Health Group, expressed gratitude to the media fraternity for its dedication to supporting
health literacy in the country.
“As we celebrate 80 years of Cimas Medical Aid Society’s service to the nation, we are
honoured to recognise journalists who continue to tell powerful, life-changing health
stories.
“The media plays a vital role in shaping a healthier and more informed society, and the
Cimas @80 Media Awards are our way of celebrating excellence and encouraging
continued dedication to ethical, accurate, and impactful health reporting,” he said.
“We are proud of the 120 entries submitted for the Cimas @80 Media Awards and the
enthusiasm shown by journalists. This ceremony marks not only a celebration of outstanding work, but also our long-term investment in supporting and empowering
ethical health journalism in Zimbabwe.”
Ndlovu said Cimas Health Group remains committed to supporting ethical, factchecked journalism and fostering strong relationships with the media as part of living its
purpose, to inspire healthier communities while also supporting national development.
“As journalists, your pens and microphones serve as instruments of change.
“Through accurate, ethical, and insightful reporting, you help us inspire healthier communities and ensure that health is understood, prioritised, and accessible,” he added.
The commitment by Cimas Health Group to recognise and honour the work of journalists
is longstanding. For two consecutive years, the Group has partnered with ZUJ to sponsor
the Health Reporter of the Year Award at the National Journalism and Media Awards
(NJAMA), demonstrating its dedication to strengthening the media landscape and
promoting high standards of health reporting.
