‘2012 agric show inspirational’

Our Senior Reporter Fortious Nhambura (FN) talks to the chairperson Mr Eben Makonese (EM) on the 2012 exhibitions and future developments.
FN: The highlights of the 2012 agricultural show, what are the differences with other showcases in the previous years?
EM: The difference is clearly explained by our theme this year, which is “Innovative, Inspirational and Informative”. On innovation, we can seek the things that we have done this year. You see the amusement park is a new thing, we have also emphasised on new technologies like in the renewal energy, solar energy, the solar panels and biogas technology.
We have a lot of computers on exhibitors, mobile phones and so forth in that area. It’s informative in that there is information that accompanies these presentations for the benefit of the public who might not know how to use these gadgets or advantages of using renewable energy.
You see the arrangement gives an opportunity to inform the public. To be inspirational is one of the things in our theme.
Here we want to inspire people in this country that although we are going through a rough patch, the economy is not dead and we can still produce things and are showcasing what we are doing.
You can inspire people just by sheer fun. Look at the innovation we have the amusement park. When things are not going well you really cannot have fun but one of things we want to do is to inspire people to have fun no matter how hard things may be.
FN: There has been a marked increase in the number of indigenous and small and medium enterprises participating at the show. Is the agricultural show losing the international and the big companies that used to make it to the show flair?
EM: We have been encouraging the local business people, SMEs, to grow. This is their opportunity to grow. There are customers here and these small businesses can start to grow from here.
As you know, growing the SMEs is one of the strategic thrusts of the Government and we have responded accordingly by encouraging them to come and do business here.
The influx of the SMEs could also be seen as a reflection of the economy that is now dominated by small emerging indigenous companies.
We have a few big companies operating at full swing and the majority is represented in the exhibition.
We are not losing the big players or the international flare, but the general focus this year is to show the aspect of the theme regarding Zimbabweans.
We want to inspire Zimbabwe to know that we can do it. ZAS is not losing the international flare but is focusing on Zimbabwe and encouraging our people participate in the economy, be innovative, inspired and move ahead. We also have international and regional exhibitors at the show.
These include exhibitions from Iran, South Africa, Zambia, DRC, Italy, Israel but the emphasis is at encouraging our own people to be involved in the economy.
FN: People are questioning the wisdom of running the show two weeks before the end of the month when people have no money to attend the show, than the traditional last week of the month of August?
EM: The reason is to accommodate our stakeholders particularly our patron President Mugabe who has a busy schedule.
We got a certain opening on his schedule and we felt we should open the show as usual. That is why we moved the show week.
We have not lost anything as people are attending the show as usual. Look at the amusement park and one cannot pass through the area. In fact we are even thinking of constructing tracks for these kids to ride on bicycles and motorcycles because there are so many people at there.
We have not lost anything and fortunately the public and the exhibitors have accommodated us.
The increase in the number of days from the traditional show week to nine days has been necessitated by developments in Sadc.
The exhibitions in the region are very much nine-day or 10-day shows.
The increase in the number of days has given an advantage to show goers as they now have two weekends to attend the exhibitions.
Our exhibitors also have a whole working week to organise their stands before the show opens.  We have managed to accommodate our small exhibitors from as far as Muzarabani, Mwenezi and others for the entire period.
FN: The fee of US$5 has been seen as too exorbitant and was keeping show lovers away from the exhibitions? Why continue to charge a fee that is beyond the reach of many?
EM: If you compare with any other fairs in the country for instance the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo, the conclusion is US$5 for a whole day’s entertainment is fair. Where would you see Sulumani Chimbetu or Zhakata or a fireworks display for five dollars?
The money is meant to cover for the costs of putting together the exhibition and ensure it gives the full entertainment.
FN: Some have argued that ZAS has been reneging on their mandate and are fast turning the Harare Agric Show into more of entertainment showcase than agriculture exhibition period. What is the mandate of the show?
EM: The aim of the society is create competition, calculated to stimulate interest in agriculture, mining horticulture and use of natural resources.
The mandate can be seen from the theme of the show that is to offer entertainment to the people.
There is no much entertainment in Zimbabwe especially for the young kids during the holidays.
We are trying to entertain the public. We also want the farmers to showcase their achievement for example small grains, tobacco and fruits, the size of the produce.
As they are showcasing they are giving an opportunity to other farmers to learn from their achievements, how they achieved it.
Companies have an opportunity to display farming implements and also advise farmers how to get and use them.
When you compete you create and awareness and hence inform people of what exists or not.
FN: Last year’s event saw the unfortunate disappearance of Given Matapure at the Exhibition Park. What extra security measures have you put in place following the child’s disappearance?
EM: That was indeed an unfortunate experience. As a society we have invested considerably in providing security. Right now we have a CCTV in operation on the perimetre of the Exhibition Park.
In addition to that we have communicated with the Zimbabwe Republic Police and they have since increased their presence in the show. We have also increased own security. We believe the combination of the CCTV and the police and our own security will give us maximum security.
FN: What lessons, if any have you learnt in the past 10 years?
EM: We have learnt how to manage crowds and improve security of children. Some years back, if you can remember we had a stampede that saw the crowds destroying the perimeter fence after the failed to get into to the park.
That has taught us the need to increase the number of entrances into the Exhibition Park and that has worked. We have also learnt that we need to keep the grounds clean.
ZAS have also learnt that cost is an important issue to successful hosting of the exhibition and to always respect the people’s comments.
Within the show executive there is a lot discussion on what we should do. We are now aware that this is an Exhibition and Event Centre and thus should accommodate show activities.
We ran through very difficult circumstances because our focus was very narrow. The show grounds used to be an annual event park but we have now made it an exhibition and events centre. We now have church, weddings and other social gatherings at the park.
Even banks are operating from here fulltime. We have learnt from the bitter lessons of the harsh economy on how we can survive.
FN: I understand demand for space in the park is increasing, how are coping? What plans are on offer to accommodate increasing demand for exhibition space?
EM: The demand of space is high. We have a number of companies that want to exhibit here. Most companies are now seeing the value of being here.
We have traditional companies that have been here like Zimoco, Adam Bede, TN Holdings and Zesa but more have expressed interest.
The Parliament of Zimbabwe, Potraz, Old Mutual, Zinara and Schweppes among others will operate outlets from here.
These are the big guys and are in addition to the small guys, the SME who are also fighting to also get space. We still have some unutilised space at the park but I don’t think it will be long before we start going upwards. This will, however, be done in such a way that we will not crowd the area.