Bulawayo engineer champions gender equality

AS a young boy, Mr Orphan Bhiza always envisioned himself rubbing shoulders with top flight electrical engineers from across the country.

His zeal to be his own boss inspired him to establish his own company, Leaford Electric Rewinds in Bulawayo.

Mr Bhiza’s bold attitude saw him living up to his dream to become a distinguished electrical components manufacturer.

However, his dreams were overwhelmed by nightmares as he had to contend with the country’s revenue authority.

Mr Bhiza said the authority was not lenient with his small company which had to fold at a time when it was at its peak.

Mr Bhiza, a qualified electric power engineer, worked for a leading engineering company in Bulawayo from 1997 to 2003.

He said thereafter, he decided to use his knowledge and experience to start his own company which folded despite having grown in leaps and bounds to become one of the major players in the engineering industry.

“All is well that ends well. It was a great start to a brighter future that I feel will turn the country’s fortunes around,” he said.

Mr Bhiza is a well versed power distribution transformer and industrial welding machine industrialist as well as an electric motor rewinding specialist.

“In spite of my misfortune, I decided to keep my head up and focused on the goal. I operate a workshop in Bulawayo and use it to impart my expertise to future electrical engineers. The exceptional part about my workshop is that I mainly tutor a gender balanced crew,” said Mr Bhiza.

He said he noticed that there was a gender disparity in the industry.

“Bulawayo has long been known as the industrial hub of Zimbabwe and sub-Saharan Africa. Bulawayo had engineering firms that were the major backbone of the city thanks to companies such as the National Railways of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Engineering Company and Hubert Davies to mention but a few.

“Some of these companies have either relocated to Harare or folded. This has vastly crippled Bulawayo’s economy,” he said.

Mr Bhiza said despite the demise of these herculean engineering firms in the City of Kings, it led to the birth of indigenous players such as himself.

“My plan is different from the rest. This is an all-male dominated industry but I feel women have a greater impact in turning around the fortunes of the industry. I’m also a firm believer in indigenisation and that’s why I feel that through such projects, we can re-establish our economy. Women are the go-getters, the feeders of families, they thrive in times of hardship and are quick learners and don’t just migrate when the going gets tough,” said Mr Bhiza.

He said with the vast number of resources and minerals the country possesses and under the stewardship of the Second Republic, the country was destined for rich pickings.

“When I left my former employer, I didn’t just leave with no vision. I established my own company and employed a number of people. I had people working under my wing for years and now I dedicate my work to tutoring them,”said Mr Bhiza.

He said he managed to make ends meet through private contracts that enabled him to generate an income for his apprentices and family.

“I firmly believe that each person has an idea and a plan to make ends meet. We have the know-how but what we need is the economic thrust,” said Mr Bhiza.

He called on the Government to take a lead in recapitalising struggling firms as well as luring investors into the city because the revival of other industries such as manufacturing and textile would further boost other businesses.

“I had managed to open a branch in Harare but like I said it collapsed due to unforeseen issues. What I know is that the engineering sector, especially the electrical side of it, offers a wide range of services such as boiler making, plant engine servicing, onsite generator servicing, plumbing, fabrication and welding as well as electrical installation,” said Mr Bhiza.

He said on his private contractual engagements, he did onsite service of transformers and oil sampling tests, oil purification and maintenance, service and maintenance of switchgear, manufacturing welding machines, industrial and domestic, transformer and welding machine repairs, generator rewinds and supply.

Mr Bhiza said his clients provided most of the raw materials, hence he didn’t feel much of the crunch.

“I offer discounts in cases of those that don’t or can’t provide some of the materials I need. I work with students and I always want to see them enjoy and develop from the work they do. It’s a scratch my back I scratch your back scenario,” he said.

Mr Bhiza said he had hopes to spread his wings across Southern Africa as he had attended various seminars in the region.

A Kwekwe Polytechnic student that is under his wing, Miss Christine Mpofu, 23, said she was delighted to be learning the ropes under a distinguished engineer such as Mr Bhiza.

“There are not many females in this industry and not many men want to entertain females. He is one of the few that can turn the fortunes of the girl child and not to mention the country around if given the chance,” she said.