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Angeline Mpofu Chronicle Reporter
THE erection of the late Vice-President Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo’s statue has inspired entrepreneurs in Bulawayo who are cashing in on selling different products that bear the image of the veteran nationalist.Yesterday residents continued to swarm the statue site at the intersection of 8th Avenue and JMN Street to view the giant monument.
Of note were scores of entrepreneurs, graphic designers and professional photographers, who are flooding the place with products such as calendars, portraits, caps, T-shirts, coffee mugs, key holders and badges with images of the late Father Zimbabwe.
The products are selling like hot cakes and often many residents were spotted putting on the Umdala Wethu T-shirts. Professional photographer and graphic designer, John Dube said the moment had opened business opportunity for him.
“As you can see people are still crowding to view the statue. I have been taking photos for sale at $2 since the unveiling of the statue by President Mugabe on Sunday,” said Dube.
He said since he started business on the site he was taking more than 200 photos a day.
“Our photos are very popular because they are accompanied by a picture of Father Zimbabwe. Most people like them and they prefer us to take their photos than cell phones because we print their photos with the statue,” Dube said.
Another graphic designer, Menzi Ncube said the 2014 calendars printed with the statue were selling like hot cakes.
“Our designs are selling like never before. Everything printed with the statue is now popular meaning that Father Zimbabwe was a man of his people and people still cherish his legacy,” he said.
Ncube expressed gratitude to the Government initiative saying it had guaranteed them a happy Christmas.
“The statue helped us to attract more customers. We can now afford to buy groceries for our families to celebrate Christmas,” he said.
Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Foundation chief executive officer Jabulani Hadebe said his organisation has received overwhelming response from the public since the unveiling ceremony adding that the site has turned into a tourist attraction.
Said Hadebe: “Tourists, Asians, Indians and local people complement their visit to view the statue by buying one of our products with Mdala’s images. The response shows that the remembrance of the nationalist will last a life time.”
He said CDs chronicling Dr Nkomo’s history and contribution were also on offer.
“We want to raise $15,000 that will be donated to Lobengula Secondary school. We want to pay school fees for at least 10 pupils who are academically gifted but have challenges in paying fees,” said Hadebe.
He said some of the money will be used to improve museum facilities at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport.
Businesses exhibiting their products along 8th Avenue also said they were recording brisk business from people flocking to view the statue.
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