Online Reporter
Business Reporter
Influential agricultural entrepreneur Terence Maphosa has urged youths to be consistent and believe in themselves as they pursue their entrepreneurial endeavours.
Mr Maphosa said this while lecturing a group of budding entrepreneurs that assembled for the Venon Chamba Business Seminar.
He encouraged them to be consistent and have unwavering faith in their abilities to achieve success in business.
Mr Maphosa told the gathered entrepreneurs that his drive is rooted in rural transformation and value addition. He aims to broaden the scope of his business through value adding livestock, poultry and crops that he produces on his farm, thereby increasing their economic worth.
His approach highlights the potential for agriculture to drive economic transformation and improve the lives of rural communities. “I started my business with small capital, if you remember I started with chickens, but through persistence and self-belief I managed to diversify. Now we have set up a restaurant and it seems to be performing above what we expected,” said Mr Maphosa.
His KwaTerry restaurant venture has grown from hosting individuals to football teams and school children, who now come to the place for recreation. Mr Maphosa attributes the success of his business to his close interaction with customers, which he achieved through physical engagement and active presence on social media platforms.
Through building personal relationships with his customers and staying connected with them online, Mr Maphosa is able to understand their needs, gather feedback and tailor his products and services to meet their demands. This customer-centric approach has helped him establish a loyal customer base and drive business growth.
Mr Maphosa’s strategy also shows the importance of effective customer engagement in today’s digital age, where social media platforms provide a powerful tool for businesses to connect with their target audience.
After graduating with a degree in Political Science from the University of Zimbabwe, Mr Maphosa faced challenges finding employment, prompting him to return to his rural roots and start a poultry farming business in 2017, specialising in “roadrunner” chickens. His business, KwaTerry Chickens, quickly gained momentum and he later diversified into goat farming in 2021.
He opened a rural restaurant in 2022, serving traditional African dishes and offering a unique vacation experience.
The seminar convener, Pastor Venon Chamba, praised Terence Maphosa as an exemplary role model for young entrepreneurs, noting that he has inspired a new generation of Zimbabweans by showcasing the vast opportunities and innovations in agriculture. “Terence Maphosa’s journey is a shining example of how young entrepreneurs can achieve success from humble beginnings, inspiring others with his dedication and focus,” said Pastor Chamba.
