Motor vehicle experts lock horns

The event is an annual competition run by Zim-Midas Parts Centres, in which people involved or interested in the parts business vie for the prestigious Parts Person of the Year title.
Entrants write a test in one of four regional centres in which Zim-Midas operates – Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare and Kwekwe – and the top three from each centre then go to a national final, at which the overall winner is named.
The competition has been warmly received by the motor trader and this year’s event attracted almost 300 entrants.
Previous winners of the title since its inception include Griffiths Gowero of Harare (2001), Dylen Mambonde of Redcliff (2002), Vincenzia Gozo of Bulawayo – the first and, to date, only woman to win (2003), Misheck Chitenhe of Mutare (2004), Francis Simangoh of Bulawayo (2005 and 2008), Sharpstone Garande of Gweru (2006 and 2009), Mandlenkosi Ncube of Mutare (2007) and Simon Nyabeze of Mutare (2010)..
The 12 regional top-three winners received cash prizes and the national winner and runners-up will also win cash, with the overall winner receiving the national floating trophy.
The national finals and prize-giving will be held in Bulawayo on September 30.
“Each year we are delighted with the response and this year is no different. We are also really impressed with the standard of participants, so we look forward to the successful conclusion of this year’s competition in September,” said Stanford Sibanda, managing director of the Clover Leaf Motors group, of which the Zim-Midas Parts Centres chain is a key subsidiary.
This year’s regional winners, who include two previous national champions, are: Harare – 1, Maluck Malinga, a parts supervisor at AMC Graniteside; 2, Albert Govha, a service advisor at Sandvik Mijning and Construction; 3, Dylen Mambonde, site technician at R and S Diesel Pro Services. Bulawayo – 1, B Dlodlo, a foreman with the Bulawayo City Council; 2, Takudzwa Gonga, a mechanic at Shamrock Transport; 3, Tembalethu Ncube, an auto electrician at Lobels. Mutare – 1, Robson Gona, a mechanic at Farmec; 2, Misheck Chitenhe, a sales rep at Farmec; 3, Clinton Ramushu, a mechanic at Reldon Timbers. Kwekwe – 1, Corneleus Chipamaure of Wiseglow Motors; 2, Isaac Chiswanda of Zesa; 3, Ramson Mufara of Zimasco.