Gokwe start-up business employs 20

Michael Magoronga, Midlands Correspondent
A NEWLY built fast-food outlet in Gokwe, Express Chicken International, has created 20 jobs for locals and established a ready market for the farming community.

Owned by a couple, Mr Chewembe Phiri and Mrs Abigail Phiri, construction work began in December last year and was completed in June this year.

The couple recently relocated to Zimbabwe after living for close to two decades in the United Kingdom.
The family said they took heed of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s calls for locals in the diaspora to invest back at home.

The Second Republic has been calling on Zimbabweans in the diaspora to invest back home as it has created a conducive environment for investment.

“We were tired of staying in the diaspora and above all, home is just but the best. So, we decided we should look for a business that we should invest in at home and we thought of this food outlet,” said Mr Chewembe.

“Before the Second Republic, we thought it was not safe to invest at home but the new Government gave us hope that we can invest at home.”

He said they now employ more than 20 people all from Gokwe and surrounding areas.

“We now have a workforce of around 20 people. But we also look forward to employing more people because we intend to open a boutique in the other apartments as we seek to grow our business,” said Mr Chewembe. He, however, could not be drawn to disclose the investment value of the business.

Gokwe farmers are also benefiting from the outlet as they have been contracted to supply key ingredients.

“We obviously give precedence to the local farmers for them to supply chicken and potatoes and any other inputs that we might require. Even if you look at our workforce, only a few are from Kwekwe but the rest are from Gokwe. That is the way of empowering our own local people,” he said.

Gokwe Council Acting Town Secretary Mr Alexander Nyandoro said Gokwe was open for business and several investors have made significant strides to develop the town.

“We remain open for business like what President Mnangagwa always says. We are making significant strides in terms of development as many investors are coming our way.

“We have a number of investors whom we have given land for development. Very soon, Gokwe will be a different town,” said Mr Nyandoro.