COSTAIN SHAMU
Tongaat Huletts Zimbabwe’s Managing Director, Aiden Mhere (57) has taken early retirement and has been replaced by Tendai Masawi as announced to the public today at Triangle country club.
Mhere who worked for the Sugar cane industry for 25 years said it is health for organizations to change management as this brings new ideas.
“In any organization, the management has to change time and again in order for the organization to move forward” said Mhere.
“After my early retirement announcement, it was found that Tendai Masawi deserves to be my replacement, I have worked with him for 28 years.
“We started our business relations before Tongaat Huletts and he is someone I know very well.” he added.
Mhere joined Hippo Valley Estates Ltd in November 1999 as Commercial Executive responsible for marketing and strategy.
He has held several executive roles including Procurement Director for Tongaat Hulett Zimbabwe – operations from 2007 to 2012.
He became Team leader of the Tongaat Hulett Strategic Sourcing Division based in Durban from 2012 to 2014.
On his return to Zimbabwe in October 2014, Mhere was appointed Commercial Director and Operations Executive.
He was appointed to the board on the 1st of November in 2018.
Mhere admitted that the mill is struggling for the past 2 years for various reasons and believes this will open a new chapter for the industry.
Masawi was the Chief Technical Officer for the entire Tongaat Huletts group since 2021.
He did not say much but promised the farmers that he will improve their relationship by introducing programs such as Farmers Day.
“We will work to improve communications and interactions with the farmers. We will be opening our Mills during Farmers Days soon, showing the farmers how we operate.” said Masawi.
However, Mhere leaves the company at a time local farmers are not happy with delays in payments for sugarcane supplied.
