adminof a fantastic freezer courtesy of Capri, I would like to encourage consumers to continue supporting local brands.
Buying Zimbabwe should henceforth become a serious culture in Zimbabweans, as the week has been a reflection to all and sundry that the country has quality, affordable products that we can all enjoy.
It does not end with the Buy Zimbabwe Week promotion but should only just be a start.
Everyone who took part in the promotion is anticipating for better fortunes as one lucky winner will walk away with the grand prize tomorrow.
Buy Zimbabwe will hold its last roadshow tomorrow morning were the Capri freezer will be won.
The event, which promises to be the biggest highlight this weekend, will include lots of entertainment, competitions and awareness on local products. Consumers who will be part of the festivities can expect to interact with their favourite brands and also meet the legendary Lazarus “Gringo” Boora and the vivacious Miss Zimbabwe Malaika Mushandu, who are expected to grace the event.
Consumers who bought US$5 worth of local products and services between Monday and today stand a good chance to enjoy a cool festive season courtesy of our sponsors.
Our mystery merchandisers have been picking up a lot of shoppers purchasing local products. A female shopper who bought a pack of local mealie-meal was given Olivine cooking oil to make her family relish with said she knew very little about the promotion till the mystery merchandiser approached her.
She added that Pearlenta was her husband’s favourite brand so she had been accustomed to buying it since its return to the shelves.
I am rather saddened that I had to leave the Chitungwiza roadshow early because of pressing issues but I hear that the edutainment was fabulous and it got really interactive after my departure.
Now I am confident that the folks in Chitungwiza now understand what buying Zimbabwe is. Word getting to me is that the number of children that participated in the road- show was huge and we all know that children actually influence shopping decisions.
Judging by the turnout in the Chitungwiza roadshows, we are likely to have a swell of crowds in Harare especially for the grand finale.
For Buy Zimbabwe, this week has certainly been historical with two of its partners recording milestones. The nation witnessed Schweppes unveil its employee and management share ownership scheme. As our theme for the Buy Zimbabwe Week was “Buy Zimbabwe, Save a Job”, we applaud the move by Schweppes as it is a good gesture that shows that the top beverages manufacturer has concerned itself with promoting the economic empowerment of its employees and management.
We cannot help but celebrate the fact that Schweppes has made a move to invest in its own people and their families.
If fellow companies emulate Schweppes, we will be in a position to safeguard a lot of current jobs and avoid the tendency of exporting labour at the expense of the country.
Schweppes (Pvt) Ltd has proven yet again what it means to be a true Buy Zimbabwe partner.
Schweppes has for a long time been synonymous with quality, primarily with its flagship brand, the local Mazoe Orange Crush, which has become an international brand but they have brought in another dimension as far as adherence to local labour standards is concerned.
By empowering the employee, the company has shown a strong desire to “save a job.” I was happy to learn that National Foods (Pvt) Ltd is commissioning a new Bulawayo plant at the weekend.
The milestones of this week are by no means small and it is my firm belief that the activities of the week shall become common culture from here onwards.
Till next week . . . let us continue buying our local products.
God bless this great and proud nation.
l Robert Garai Muganda is the Media and Communications Executive for Buy Zimbabwe Campaign.
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Email: [email protected]
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