APA-Harare (Zimbabwe) Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom on Thursday named two leaders of Zimbabwean charities among the list of 72 prominent individuals for their contribution to human development in the UK and other countries.

Thomas Yates Benyon, founder and director of Zimbabwe National Emergency (ZANE) was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in recognition of his services to vulnerable people in Zimbabwe.

ZANE offers educational and healthcare support as well as food assistance to disadvantaged Zimbabwean groups, including pensioners.

The OBE is awarded to persons who have played a distinguished regional or country-wide role in any field or who have contributed to the development of a country through achievement or service to the community.

Nigel Jeffery Randle Kay, founder and head of the charity Homes in Zimbabwe received the Member of the British Empire (MBE) award for services to the elderly in the southern African country.

Homes in Zimbabwe was established in 2004 to provide funds for the maintenance of old people’s homes in the country.

The homes then were in serious need of help due to the economic decline and high inflation that had completely eroded their financial reserves.

The MBE is awarded for achievement or service in and to the community of a responsible kind which is outstanding in its field or for local “hands-on” service which stands out as an example to others.

Zimbabweans previously honoured by Queen Elizabeth II included President Robert Mugabe who was awarded the Commander of the Order of the Bath in 1994.

He was however stripped of the knighthood in 2008 in retaliation of what London called his role in human rights abuses in Zimbabwe.