African in historic exhibition at Trade Fair

The Rhodesia Herald, April 26, 1969

AN African businessman who in 1963 became the first African to be granted a licence to trade in the Bulawayo city area will make history again next month when he becomes the first African to exhibit at Trade Fair Rhodesia in his own right.

He is Mr Donati Mangena (46), owner of Mangena Bros, Fifth Avenue, whose firm has made scotch carts since 1958.

Mr Mangena sells an average of 18 scotch carts a month and also sells tyres and metal washbasin stands, which will be displayed.

The general manager of Trade Fair Rhodesia, Mr Peter Roach said: “We are absolutely delighted that Mr Mangena has decided to exhibit this year, and we hope that, in the future other African manufacturers and businessmen will follow suit.

“The Trade Fair is open to anyone, regardless of race, but this will be the first time an African manufacturer is exhibiting in his own right.”

Meanwhile, Mr Roach said that while the 1969 Trade Fair would not break new records as far as exhibitors were concerned, there will be about 285 compared with last year’s total of 321, he had been impressed by the general standard of exhibits this year.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

Being the first at something positive is an important milestone because it shows others the way and opens doors for them to follow. Mr Mangena’s exploits as the first black man to exhibit at the Trade Fair Rhodesia was not only an important milestone for him, his family and business alone, but for all black Rhodesians at that time, it was a motivating factor for other black business people that it can be done.
For businesses to grow, they need to be known, and to do that they need to compete at the highest level. The Trade Fair remains the country’s premier international exhibition in the country. This is where local and foreign companies meet, which makes it the best platform to market one’s business.
This year’s Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, which started yesterday promises to be bigger and better, with more than 95 percent of the available exhibition space having been taken up so far by about 47 exhibitors that have expressed interest in the expo.