From bags to big dreams: The Bit Bags Zimbabwe story of youth empowerment

IN Bulawayo, a visionary businessman, Bukhosi Ncube, is championing the cause of the youth.

At 40, the operations director of Bit Bags Zimbabwe has taken a bold step to nurture the entrepreneurial spirit of young minds.

His Youth Innovation Hub stands as a testament to his belief in the untapped potential of creative young individuals, providing them a platform to not only showcase their talents, but also earn from their innovative endeavours.

Ncube’s commitment to youth empowerment is deeply rooted in his own experiences.

Despite the abundance of talent, he observed that many young people seldom receive the attention or support they deserve.

Reflecting on his journey before founding Bit Bags Zimbabwe, Ncube recalls his own struggle for recognition.

“I had been doing these bags, but at a small scale. I would do 100 to 200, but still, I didn’t have capacity. But there was one company that said it would support me and from then I have never looked back,” he recounted.

His company now boasts of the capacity to produce up to 750 bags in a matter of days, catering for both local and export markets.

The growth of Bit Bags Zimbabwe is a story of humble beginnings and ambitious expansion.

Starting with a team of nine, the company has grown to employ 40 individuals, with 15 of them being young people.

“We manufacture bulk bags, and these are what you see carrying platinum, coal, sugar, fertiliser, and what we do here is cut and stitch,” explained Ncube.

Beyond manufacturing, Ncube has ventured into transport and logistics, securing contracts for the transportation of bulk cement orders.

His trucking project, bolstered by investors, has taught him valuable lessons in business operations and quality standards.

“They are ISO 9000 certified. Before I used to just do my trucking business where I would say, just do this put fuel and it was just basic, but now we learn that every incident is written down whether it is big, you record what you do,” shared Ncube.

For Ncube, the decision of one company to believe in him has been a catalyst for his involvement with the youth. He works closely with students and young entrepreneurs, providing guidance and inspiration.

“We are not money motivated, but success oriented. Our goal is to help other people succeed and because of that we thought about how we can work with the youth,” he says.

The Youth Innovation Hub came to life through a collaboration with Industry and Commerce Deputy Minister Raj Modi, who provided the necessary space for its establishment. The hub’s participants have already made their mark, winning a substantial prize at the POTRAZ hackathon competition, which has further financed their ongoing projects.

“After they won the money, they started outlining some of their plans. They started saying they needed a computer that costs US$2 000 to US$4 000. I only knew that a computer cost US$700, but this is what they needed as they spoke about the specs of the computer and how it will enable them to motion graphics and so forth.

“So we managed to buy the computer. So, we have been building the Youth Innovation Hub to support their projects through our networks,” he said.

Ncube highlights the resourcefulness and initiatives of today’s youth, who are proactively acquiring new skills through online platforms like YouTube.

He underlines the importance of providing additional support to these self-motivated learners to help them realise their aspirations.

“With the youth today, you might think that you are the one teaching them, but they end up teaching you.

“They take some online courses and get certificates and they do a lot of projects in the creative sectors,” said Ncube.

Ncube attributes his sustained success in the industry to his innovative approach and solution-oriented mindset. He shared an example from the Covid-19 pandemic when his company adapted to the changing market needs by diversifying into the production of disinfectants.

This strategic move allowed him to expand his professional network and enhance both his trucking and manufacturing ventures.

He remains a staunch advocate for youth empowerment, urging young people to seize the myriad of opportunities that the country offers. – @nqotshili