Sundaymail Editor
Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
The reopening of fabric manufacturer David Whitehead Textiles Limited (DWTL) by Agro Value Chain Zimbabwe (AVCZ) has reawakened Chegutu.
AVCZ is a subsidiary of the Indian-owned ETG Parrogate Group, which has investments in Zimbabwe and elsewhere in African.
It has four cotton ginneries in Checheche, Rushinga, Chegutu and Glendale, which have a daily combined ginning capacity of 1 200 tonnes.
The company, which acquired 51 percent of DWTL in 2019, was created in 2017.
Its stake in the company has since risen to 72 percent.
The company plans to produce 10 million metres of fabric annually.
It will also be the sole manufacturer of fabric used to produce military fatigues and school uniforms.
AVCZ has oilseed extraction facilities with a capacity to crush soyabean, cotton and sunflower seeds.
Before its closure in the early 2000s, as sanctions took their toll, DWTL employed over 1 000 workers at its gigantic plant.
It was at the heart of economic activities in Chegutu.
Its closure negatively impacted downstream industries in the retail, furniture and medical sectors.
DWTL was the biggest producer of textiles, printed and dyed fabrics. It played a critical role in the local cotton value chain.
Following its collapse, the country spent millions of dollars importing fabric, leaving thousands of former employees in a lurch.
Yolanda Chikukwa, whose father worked at DWTL, said: “My father never lacked. He always provided for all the family’s needs.
“Some of my siblings and I went to good schools. After its closure, life was never the same.”
She recounted how many people turned to vending following the collapse of the giant fabric manufacturer.
Chegutu Municipality naturally felt the pinch as many people struggled to pay their bills.
“The municipality is owed millions of dollars by residents, who are failing to pay their monthly bills due to various reasons,” said council spokesperson Mr Brian Nkiwane.
“It is a fact that the closure of David Whitehead negatively impacted revenue inflows after some families lost their sources of income.”
DWTL’s reopening, he said, was expected to improve revenue inflows for the local authority.
Mr Albert Beretino, a music and history teacher, remembers how the company’s corporate social responsibility programmes supported sporting activities.
“We used to support the David Whitehead football team during the good old days. It is our hope that the new management will invest in sport as part of their corporate social responsibility,” he said.
Chegutu East legislator (ZANU PF) Cde Webster Shamu is optimistic about the future.
“The revival has brought life to Chegutu as a whole.
“Chegutu will never be the same again. This shows that the town, the province and the nation are headed for greatness,” he said while giving a vote of thanks during the commissioning of the plant on Wednesday last week.
President Mnangagwa was represented by Industry and Commerce Minister Dr Sekai Nzenza during commissioning of the US$20 million facility.
The President urged the company to tap into the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The new investment will witness the company becoming an integrated cotton value chain corporate in line with the Government’s value addition and job creation drive.
Commercial production under the
new owners is expected to commence in
April next year, with state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment presently en route to Zimbabwe.
Prior to reopening, there were rumours former workers occupying DWTL’s houses would be evicted.
However, AVCZ chairperson Mr Pradyumn Ganediwal said the company was going to acquire land to construct houses for families that were going to be relocated.
“We will acquire land on which we will construct accommodation for people who are occupying DWTL houses,” he said.
“We will not evict the families, but rather offer them accommodation as part of our corporate social responsibility.”
The company is spearheading the construction of a modern hospital for the community.
“It is our desire to bring a quality and affordable medical facility closer to our communities, as well as provide multi-speciality medical services under one roof to address the needs of the patients,” said Mr Ganediwal.
“It’s a non-profit-making entity aimed at ensuring that the community has access to a modern healthcare facility.”
The US$1,5 million hospital will offer a 24-hour emergency service. It will have a casualty section; 40 beds; an intensive care unit; as well as dialysis, dental and X-ray facilities.
Construction of the facility is expected to be completed mid-next year.
Online Reporter