Seasoned Telecoms Executive and ESG Advocate, Dr. Prosper Mutswiri, Honoured at MAZ Awards
By Lloyd Takawira
The Marketers Association of Zimbabwe (MAZ) has honored Dr. Prosper Mutswiri, the dynamic Marketing and Corporate Business Manager at Powertel, with the prestigious Exceptional Marketing Award 2025. The accolade celebrates his nearly 20-year career marked by immense contributions and transformative leadership within the industry.
The award which recognized Dr. Mutswiri’s pivotal role in driving significant change. He is widely celebrated for his turnaround digital marketing efforts within the ZESA Group, where he championed the establishment of a “Digital Garage”—a multi-platform CX (Customer Experience) hub that serves over 1.3 million power utility customers. His rebranding efforts at competitive telecommunication companies like Africom and Powertel, as well as his strategic role in launching innovations such as “guroo” and “powertrack,” were instrumental in revitalizing company revenues and market standing.
Speaking to the media after the awards ceremony, Dr. Mutswiri, said the award is not just another feather in his cap; it is a testament to nearly two decades of trailblazing leadership in marketing, telecommunications, and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practice.
“Marketing, to me, has always been about impact — impact on people, communities, and industries. Recognition from peers validates the purpose-driven work we strive to do every day,”
said Dr. Mutswiri in an interview shortly after receiving his award.
Dr. Mutswiri has carved out an enviable niche in Zimbabwe’s corporate space, steering marketing strategy, digital transformation, and ESG integration across industries. At Powertel, the telecoms subsidiary of ZESA Holdings, he has been instrumental in driving customer-centric innovations such as PowerTrack and Guroo, initiatives that have redefined efficiency and revenue prospects within the power utility ecosystem.
Before joining Powertel, he left an indelible mark in the private sector, playing key roles in rebranding Africom and anchoring groundbreaking campaigns at Gary Thompson & Associates. From the iconic RBZ Zero to Hero and CBZ A-Academy to memorable jingles for Air Zimbabwe and Nestlé, his creative genius continues to echo across Zimbabwe’s marketing landscape.
“I’ve always believed in the power of storytelling — whether for a telecoms giant or a rural cooperative, the story must inspire trust and action,” he said.
Beyond the boardroom, Dr. Mutswiri is also an academic, lecturing at leading institutions such as the ZESA National Training Centre, and mentoring future marketers on sustainability, digital transformation, and customer experience. His research, published in reputable peer-reviewed journals, explores ESG reporting, sustainability, and the role of artificial intelligence in emerging markets.
But his vision is not confined to urban boardrooms and lecture halls. As the director of the Buhera Development Forum, Dr. Mutswiri channels his expertise into transforming livelihoods in rural Zimbabwe, spearheading sustainable projects that uplift communities in his home district.
For industry peers, Dr. Mutswiri represents the fusion of creativity, strategy, and purpose. His thought leadership on ESG and sustainability has positioned him as one of the most forward-thinking executives in Zimbabwe’s corporate space.
“The next chapter of marketing is not just about selling — it’s about creating value responsibly, ensuring businesses remain profitable while uplifting people and protecting the environment,” he noted.
This latest honor from MAZ adds to a list of accolades that includes being named Top Young Manager of the Year by the Zimbabwe Institute of Management in 2013/14 and 2017. Dr. Mutswiri’s journey embodies the spirit of an entrepreneur who leverages his expertise to overcome challenges, create value, and elevate the standards of his profession. His story serves as an inspiration for aspiring marketers and business leaders across the nation.
