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Zimbabwe’s Independence 36 years ago not only liberated the country from white minority rule but it gave it citizens an opportunity to be economically empowered.
The opportunities were not limited to those who fought the war but spread across its citizens, from women, to youth, to the disadvantaged.
It is with this in mind that The Herald Business celebrates the so-called ‘born-frees’ as they are the torch-bearers of the future of Zimbabwe. This week the Herald Business (HB) profiles young businessman Tatenda Makonese (TM).
Mr Makonese is the co-founder of Sandton Rand holdings, a pioneering strategic diversified company with singular focus on delivering viable and outliving investments. The company assists in business and projects which require funding through lines of credit. It has access to over 100 private funders.
HB Who is Mr Tatenda Makonese?
TM Tatenda Makonese is the only son of the late Mr & Mrs Makonese born in a family of four with him being the last.
BH How old are you?
TM 26
HB How long have you been in business and what line of business are you specialised in?
TM I’ve been in business for the past ten years since the age of 16 and serve as an executive director of a multi-sectoral diverse Investment Company based in the heart of Sandton in Johannesburg, South Africa that I co-founded in 2011.
HB Do you have any business interests outside South Africa?
TM Our business interests stretch into several SADC countries and Zimbabwe included where we’re partnered with a few strategic entities within different sectors, from ICT, Telecoms, Financial Services and Mining and Resources.
HB Would you be willing to share with us your net worth and where else you are involved in?
TM Networth of personal assets including shares amounts to more than $5 million. While on companies I am co-founder of Sandton Rand Holdings (Co-Founder), shareholder and managing partner at PipCoin International and a shareholder at PabiMaks Properties.
HB In what way has Government assisted you in establishing yourself as a businessman and what is your message for this year’s independence as a young businessman?
TM The Government has added significant value to all the business I’ve conducted in the country by placing flexible policies within the sectors we focus on. My message to all entrepreneurs and business leaders is, in every situation there’s an opportunity for one to capitalise which is what a successful person sets his mindset like.
HB Do you think Zimbabwe has managed to create enough opportunities for young people to flourish since independence?
TM Zimbabwe is made out of Zimbabweans which is the people within the country. There’s no Government without a people in it and therefore it is up to every single individual to make Zimbabwe better and business friendly for all. Government has placed policies which add value to every Zimbabwean so its up to the people to implement. Government policies for industry sectors acclimatise to the advancement of the business world and therefore they also rely on every business person to introduce new tech and models in different sectors in order for them to offer better policies.
HB What is your advice to young people who wish to follow your footsteps?
Success is a state of mind produced by positive and powerful thinking. Every young person should not wait on Government to make them a better life, its not the Government’s job to put food on anyone’s table but to put in place policies and offer good governance. My approach to life is very simple, “ If you can’t find an opportunity be it work wise or in business then you should create one!
“How so? Look at it in this way, Someone out there wants something you have, wants to know something you know, wants something you can do, wants to be connected to someone you’re connected to therefore anything can be sold. Sell the access you have to something the next person doesn’t have and start from there!
HB What do you think Government should do to meet the aspirations of young people in Zimbabwe after 36 years of Independence?
TM Government should continue to engage more with the corporate world to have a better understanding of what different industry sectors need in order to establish growth and place better policies which will bring flexibility to all trades.
In addition to the above, my advice to all is opportunity meets preparation. If you want to attain success think like a successful person by seeing everything positively even if not. There’s always a positive side to every negativity. Always remember, in order for stars to shine there has to be darkness which turn into light if you’re patient enough to wait for it. For you to produce electricity you need a black and a white cable therefore the world can be a better place with all races united without discrimination.
Online Reporter