admin
Trust Freddy Herald Correspondent
IT was a hive of activity at the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show yesterday, with exhibitors optimistic and expecting more visitors as the show enters day five.
Exhibitors said there were some inquiries at their stands and the numbers had continued to increase as the show progressed.
The Central Registry was the most popular stand where important documents such as national identity cards and birth certificates were being issued for free.
There was a crowd at the stand as people tried to enquire on how they could get the identity cards while others wanted to replace them.
Monica Chadura of Harare said she had been advised by someone at the Civil Registry Market Square to visit the Exhibition Park to get her ID.
“I have been trying to get my birth certificate since last Friday without success,” she said.
“I waited in the queue for several days and today whilst I was standing in the queue I was advised to come here.
“I am really grateful because I have been assisted, it just took me less than 30 minutes to get my ID.”
Tichaona Mafuta came all the way from Mashonaland East with the intention of acquiring new number plates for his car.
“I came here with my friend and everything is just going well. My friend managed to get his national identity and birth certificate documents for free.
“We are now going to the Central Vehicle Registry stand to make some inquiries and possibly pay for my number plates,” he said.
Ms Nyasha Marikwenda (20) of Domboshava said besides entertainment, she also wanted to get a national ID.
“I lost mine and I wanted to replace it,” she said.
“I have been served already, it just took a few minutes unlike what they used to do. The service is just pleasing, I cannot complain. I am now doing other business.”
The Zimbabwe National Road Administration was also a centre of attraction as motorists took advantage of the show to regularise their vehicles licences without being penalised.
Mr Joseph Javangu of Mhondoro was excited at the prospect of getting his car insurance without paying penalties.
“I am glad that they are using the interbank rate.
“I am waiting for my wife to send the money so that I can pay my car insurance,” he said.
Mrs Mangere, a Geography teacher at Ebenezer Academy was also touring different innovation hubs with her learners.
“I have come here with my learners so that they can observe and learn more about entrepreneurs that we have at the agricultural show. They will also learn and be given more information on how to become successful entrepreneurs,” she said.
An ecstatic Ebenezer student, Tinashe Cement, said he was planning to emulate farmers in the agricultural field.
“I have learnt a lot, we visited different stands and I now have an idea on how to rear goats and cattle,” he said.
“We were getting information from experienced farmers and hopefully we are going to find this information useful.”
The Zanu PF stand was also popular with people who were renewing their membership cards and others who were registering.
Zanu PF Director of Business Development and Liaison Cde Francis Hungwe said besides information dissemination on various party programmes, they were also offering instant party cards and the majority of people were showing willingness to join the party.
“We have so far distributed an average of 700 cards and we anticipate more from Friday up until Saturday as flow increases,” he said.
“We encourage everyone to come through to Zanu PF and see how we can engage and ensure that everyone participates actively towards Vision 2030.”
The home industry hall was also outstanding as people wanted to know more about traditional dishes that were being exhibited.
Some farmers said they were happy with the number of people who visited the agri-product stands and most of them were impressed by the number of school children who were visiting.
The MenBelievED stand was also another attraction, decorated with eye-catching colourful pictures of President Mnangagwa.
Another star attraction was the ZimParks stand where animal trophies which included lions, eagles and live snakes were on display.
“Honestly, you would mistake it for a jungle. At first I thought these were live lions, I was hesitating to get inside. These guys are very creative,” a visitor who refused to be identified.
A ZimParks official who preferred not to be named said she was impressed by the high turnout of people and urged them to apply for hunting permits.
“We have hunting permits and we are taking this opportunity to spread the word to different people about the issue of these permits. We also offer export permits, after hunting one can export a trophy to other countries,” she said.
The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority had a special offer for farmers which allows them to travel in groups. Executive Director responsible for Strategic Research, Sophie Zirebwa, said when the package cost has been achieved, a payment is then made to the service provider
“We are introducing the Mukando/Stokvel Travel Scheme,” she said. “The scheme enables farmers to come together as a group, choose a destination and package of their choice then contribute towards the package cost on a weekly, targeted amount.
“The Mukando packages come with a discount and we are inviting all farmers to understand their financial status.”
Online Reporter