Chronicle Editor
Judith Phiri, Business Reporter
THREE Bulawayo companies are representing the city at the SADC Recycling Exhibition in Harare which is running on the sidelines of the 44th Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government.
The exhibition which began yesterday and ends today is being held at the Geo Pomona Waste Management Facility with various companies from different parts of the country showcasing their unique and creative products related to innovative waste management.
The exhibition, is guided by the summit’s theme; “Promoting Innovation to unlock opportunities for sustained economic growth and development towards an Industrialised SADC”.
Bulawayo companies exhibiting include Mindpower Consulting t/a Sustainable Manufacturing and Recycling Technologies (SMART Centre), Esteemed Business Women Zimbabwe/Miss Rural Zimbabwe and Mandisa Glass Upcycling.
Representing the leather value chain, Mindpower Consulting founder and lead consultant, Mr Jacob Nyathi said they were showcasing footwear, especially school shoes in piloting the adoption of solid tannery waste-to-value addition programme.
“We are pursuing the idea of encouraging local tanneries, SMEs and other stakeholders to adopt some of the proposed waste-to-value addition business opportunities.
“SMART Centre has identified the conversion of tannery chrome splits solid waste as a low-hanging fruit opportunity to produce school shoes upper leathers, industrial gloves and footwear lining leather materials that can be used for manufacturing school shoes, industrial safety products like gloves for the mining sector, boiler makers, steel makers and welders respectively,” he said.
Mr Nyathi, who is also the managing director and secretary of the Zimbabwe Leather Development Council (ZLDC), said the leather tanning sector was generally considered as a highly polluting sub-sector of the leather manufacturing process.
However, to address the challenge, he said SMART Centre as an innovative research and development Bulawayo SME was working with local tanneries, SMEs and other stakeholders for the adoption of some waste-to-value addition initiatives.
“Local tanneries and manufacturing SMEs can adopt these waste-to-value addition initiatives to create viable business opportunities as well as employment creation especially among the women and youth.
“We are currently working with Belmont Leather Tannery, Plumspruit (Pvt) Limited, manufacturers of various types industrial safety products as well as with the Bulawayo Leather Cluster, manufacturers of footwear especially school shoes in piloting the adoption of solid tannery waste-to-value addition programme,” he added.
Esteemed Business Women Zimbabwe and Miss Rural Zimbabwe founder, Ms Sipho Mazibuko said they were thrilled to be showcasing their products at the exhibition.
“Our members from 10 provinces will showcase their talents in the arts and crafts sector, thanks to Minister Sithembiso Nyoni, who ensured everyone is represented. The women showcased their work yesterday (Saturday) for the SADC First Ladies and today for the SADC Heads of State.”
She said the exhibition highlighted creative works made from recycled materials such as bottle lids, old video tapes and drums.
Ms Mazibuko said the Miss Rural Zimbabwe pageant featured a segment showcasing outfits made from recycled materials to promote environmental awareness.
“At Miss Rural Zimbabwe, models presented recycled dresses and suits, aiming to educate rural communities about environmental sustainability. The best designer will be recognized for their eco-friendly creations,” she said.
An upcycling glass artist, Ms Mandisa Nyoni of Mandisa Glass Upcycling said she felt honoured for the opportunity availed to her.
“I have two artworks being displayed at the exhibition as one of the upcycling glass artists in the country. I create my art from discarded glass and it is an amazing opportunity to present my work in front of such esteemed guests,” she said.
“I believe the SADC Recycling Exhibition presents various opportunities for me in the sense that l get to interact with people who can change my art career for the best.”
Ms Nyoni is a visionary artist who breathes new life into discarded glass, transforming trash into breathtaking works of art.
Her passion for sustainability and environmental consciousness fuels her creativity, turning what most see as waste into powerful statements.
Online Reporter