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Judith Phiri, Sunday News Reporter
BUSINESSES have been implored to assist the underprivileged develop start-ups in communities where they are operating from.
Officially opening Ngamla Supermarket at Nkulumane Shopping Mall yesterday, Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Cde Judith Ncube said business people should work hand in hand with the community.
“As businesses, cultivate a culture of giving back to the community where you are operating from, as this is key in creating an environment that is equally beneficial for investment.
“There are a lot of underprivileged who you can assist to develop startups, as we work towards Vision 2030, in line with President Mnangagwa’s mantra that no one and no place should be left behind,” said Minister Ncube.
She commended business people such as South Africa-based Zimbabwean businessman, Mr Mpumelelo Phiri, who runs Ngamla Professionals for investing in the city for its development as well as creating employment.
The Minister said this has in turn resulted in more investors keen to partner and work with local businesses.
“Yesterday (Friday) some African Americans visited my office, they are keen to partner with local businesses and develop exchange programmes for the youth among other key things. Let’s us put our heads together for the development of Bulawayo and Zimbabwe so that we can attain Vision 2030 of an upper middle-income economy.”
She encouraged property owners to create a conducive environment and charge reasonable rentals.
Mr Phiri said he has poured in an investment of US$1,7 million in the retail business in Bulawayo and the opening of the Ngamla Supermarket at the docile Nkulumane Shopping Mall was a way of decongesting the city centre through providing quality services.
Enthused by the Second Republic’s philosophy “Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabaninilo/ Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo”, he said investing back home was one of his major achievements.
Mr Phiri added: “To the people of Nkulumane and surrounding areas we are here to serve the community and if you have any problems feel free to approach us and let us know. Not only are we developing the city and selling products at wholesale prices, but we are also creating employment as about 100 people have been employed at this new shop.”
The retail and wholesale shop also has a bakery, butchery, deli, and ice cream bar under one roof.
The Nkulumane Shopping Mall, which was part of the city’s council strategy to decongest the city centre in the 1990s, has become a pale shadow of its former self, with most of the shops in the facility unoccupied.
At its prime, it used to house the giant retail shops in the country — Pick-n-Pay and OK — while several banks were also housed in the same facility.
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