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Stanford Chiwanga, Online Editor
SOME of the most successful entrepreneurs take decades to accumulate their fortunes – others strike gold very early on.
From the moment he got his first job in Bulawayo where he was born and bred, Francis Moyo (52) was never comfortable with being an employee – he wanted to answer to himself and no one else. It is no wonder he quit running his father’s business because “it was his enterprise not mine.”
Married to Chipo Moyo, Moyo never looked forward to getting a decent job, which is every school leaver’s dream.
“I found working every day, doing the same thing to be a monotonous endeavour. But despite being bored by my job I was a brilliant and dedicated employee. I was a laboratory operator at LA Mines. Still, the thought of creating my own company never left my mind. It haunted me every day.
“However I must say it was just destiny. Wherever I used to work I used to work a level or two above my grade. My business mind was born from how I grew up; I used to play soccer then volleyball for Highlanders. I later became chairperson of the volleyball association at 20. That’s where I started learning about leadership” said Moyo.
It is his dedication and brilliance despite being dissatisfied that saw Moyo, who was employed by Mimosa Platinum Mine in Zvishavane as a ventilation technician, winning a tender to ventilate the company’s underground mines.
Moyo said: “A ventilation tender came out at Mimosa and I just applied, explaining that I am experienced and since I was doing what the tender was seeking. Since the company was happy with my work, the board of directors directed the company to give me the tender. For Mimosa it was all about empowering its employee, Mimosa is all about empowerment.
“I believe what happened was because of God’s blessings. I come from a praying family and I am a praying man, we are Seventh Day Adventists. It seems everything I do or touch turns gold. I was a junior guy at Mimosa but somehow I got the tender. In addition I used to show initiative so that must have helped.”
When his contract lapsed in 2014, Moyo decided to move to Mutare, a city where his father grew up, “because that is where my roots are and I have always loved the city.”
“I have always loved Mutare so I discussed the idea of moving to the city with my wife and she was for it. So we bought a house and moved to Mutare. I had to use some of the money I had put aside while I was at Mimosa.
“I used to rent offices in Zvishavane, the struggles and frustrations I faced as a tenant gave me the idea of building my own business complex. The complex has 21 rooms available excluding my office and the reception. There are businesses that are already occupying space here. But I must say the occupancy does not make me happy at the moment because of the economic situation. But it is picking up so I am not disheartened,” he said.
The complex which is called Shumba Complex was built in 11 months – a record time according to a council employee.
“I had the money so I had to use it wisely otherwise I could be broke now. People were amazed and shocked at the same time by the speed of the construction but the secret is that I had the money and I used it. You can’t go in half heartedly.”
But what inspired him to the name his building Shumba Complex?
“Moyo is the surname of my stepfather. I traced my steps to my biological father when I was doing my O-Levels. I don’t remember how I found my way home, but I am glad I am home and it’s all thanks to God.”
Moyo believes that he takes up after his father.
“As I stated briefly my father was a successful businessman, he is 85. His life has had and continues to have a big influence on me. He is the Shumba of the clan and I am the little Shumba that takes after his father,” he said.
@plainstan
Online Reporter