By Takemore Mazuruse
Respected chartered banker, economist and trade finance specialist Persistence Gwanyanya’s Bullion Group, a growing empire with interests in finance, advisory, trade finance, commodities trading, tobacco trading and marketing, will this week give back to Zaka district through a 42-schools sports tournament.
Speaking to Standard Style, Gwanyanya, who was born and bred in Zaka district, Masvingo province, and did his primary, secondary and high school at St Anthony’s primary and secondary schools at the Roman Catholic-run St Anthony Mission, said it was in the scope of his business empire to give back to the society that raised him.
“I am highly inspired by a scripture in the book of Isaiah 51:1 that speaks of remembering the rock from which you were hewn and the pit from which you were dug,” Gwanyanya said.
“Zaka is my home and in as much as I have made it in the corporate world, I believe I am duty-bound to give back to the community that raised me, hence the design of this 42-school tournament to run from Friday and spilling into the weekend for finals.”
Gwanyanya, who holds an MBA from the University of Zimbabwe specialising in Financial Markets, a B Comm (Hons) Economics from Midlands State University and an Advanced Diploma in Credit Management from Scotland, among a host of other qualifications, said he would do all it takes to renew Zimbabwean youths, especially those in forgotten corners of the country.
“I strongly believe in the centuries-old belief that we are destined for greatness even if all odds are stacked against us. The challenges of today require our youths to summon a new spirit of hard work, sacrifice, commitment and determination,” he said.
“I am, therefore, happy with the support that we have received from various corporate partners in our quest to foster development through sport in Zaka district.
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“Bullion Group is the gateway and I believe working together with other development partners we will birth something big with this envisaged sports tournament.”
One of the organisers of the tournament, Simbarashe Mahenga of Sound Blaze Productions, said they had done the groundwork and it would be all systems go, come Friday when the tournament kicks off.
“We have 42 secondary schools in Zaka. All the secondary schools are taking part at 10 zonal competitions that will see the 10 winners from each of those making it to the finals to be held at St Anthony’s on Saturday,” he said.
“A total 12 teams will participate and these include the host school and last year’s winners of the Under-20 competitions.”
Mahenga’s sentiments were echoed by Gwanyanya, who revealed that they were encouraged by the buy-in from the various schools in Zaka.
“This is the first of many Bullion Group tournaments to come and we are happy with the response to this first call. Our hope is that this becomes an annual tournament that will help bring people together at the same time helping identify and expose talent to the world,” Gwanyanya said.
The Bullion Group founder continues to inspire hope amidst the challenges and currently sits on various boards, including the Professional Small to Medium Enterprises Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He is a member of the Zimbabwe Economics Society, a columnist for various publications and financial advisor to the Zimbabwe Business and Arts Hub.
His Bullion Group has eight entities, namely Bullion Leaf Zimbabwe, Bullion Leaf Exports, Bullion Commodities International, Bullion Traders International (South Africa), Percycon Global Fund Managers (South Africa) and Percycon Advisory Services.
