Tanzanian wins Sadc annual quality award

Dar es Salaam. The Southern African Development Community (Sadc) has named the CEO of the National Quality Association of Tanzania (NQAT), Mr Safari Fungo as the winner of the Sadc Quality Awards 2023, under the category of “Individual of the Year”.

Announced on Wednesday, May 17, 2023  at the virtual awarding event, Fungo was the only Tanzanian candidate to represent Tanzania in its quality achievements.

Sadc annual quality awards are prestigious awards, which have been running since 2011, recognising and appreciating organisations and individuals who are contributing to quality advancement in all sectors of the economy.

Mr  Fungo was recognized as the best individual for his contribution to championing quality agenda in Tanzania.

Speaking after receiving his award, Mr Fungo said the award is a testament to hard work, perseverance, and the relentless pursuit of excellence, as demonstrated by the entire quality community in Tanzania.

“This award is a testament to the collaborative efforts of industry leaders, policymakers, the National Bureau of Standards, and all stakeholders who have embraced the principles of quality to drive sustainable growth and development,” said Fungo.

Fungo began his quality journey more than 10 years ago and this award adds salt to his quality intervention efforts.

His collaboration and work with both public and private organizations have contributed to the current achievement.

According to the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS), director general of Dr Yusuph Ngenya, Public-Private-Partnerships in quality undertakings are important to the growth of the national economy and the as they have a solid contribution in creating a good ground for SMEs in both local and international Trade.

He said PPP help to build up and strengthen quality culture in SMEs and helps SMEs to penetrate easily regional and international markets because it increases the adoption of quality control measures to the products and services.

“Safari's win means a lot to Tanzania. It is a symbol of Tanzania's contribution to improving quality infrastructure within Sadc. Also, this implies that Tanzania has good quality infrastructures that can be trusted by other member states,” said Dr Ngenya.

According to the Manager of Policy, Standards, SPS, and NTBs at the East African Business Community (EABC), Frank Dafa, to achieve an inclusive and market-driven standards development process there is a need for proactive individuals to disseminate information and consolidate responses from key stakeholders on particular standards. Something that Safari has been doing for a while.

“Fungo has been a key player in disseminating information, building the capacity of stakeholders, and engaging them to access European markets for agricultural goods through standard-based interventions and engagements,” said Dafa.