tawandamusarurwa
Roselyne Sachiti
Assistant Editor
Today, Zimbabweans celebrate 42 years of independence with the main celebrations being held outside Harare for the first time.
The country gained independence on April 18 1980, following a fierce armed struggle which resulted in the deaths of many.
Independence brought many positives for the local folk, including women empowerment, access to education by the black majority who did not enjoy such under white rule.
Most importantly, independence empowered black Zimbabweans who were hungry to start businesses.
Most did so from the ground using their own savings as capital.
Since attaining Uhuru in 1980, the Government has spearheaded many people driven economic empowerment policies, which resulted in the emergence of prominent black business people such as Zacharia Chigumira, Ben Mucheche, Kenneth Marechera, Micah Bhebhe, Adrian Mwamuka, Eddies Pfugari, Philemon Murambiwa also known as Machipisa, Mr Denis Makomva among many other trailblazers, paving way for others to follow.
Today, many previously disenfranchised blacks have taken leadership positions and ownership of various companies. A quick scan of the company profiles of these companies will reveal a healthy and dominant representation of indigenous men and women at the entrepreneurial helm of post-independence Zimbabwe.
An example is that of Nyaradzo Group, which has now spread its wings to other African countries and Europe.
The Sunday Mail caught up with Nyaradzo Group Chief Executive officer Mr Phillip Mataranyika who took us through how the nation’s political independence brought opportunities for people like him.
He said because of the independence Zimbabwe enjoys, many black business people have managed to prosper.
Nyaradzo’s journey, he said, started on March the first , 2001, when the company opened its doors to their first customers.
“We opened our doors to the public as Nyaradzo Funeral Assurance Company (NFACO). Looking back at the years gone by, it has been a thrilling journey, filled with incredible highs on one end, and muddy lows on the other, all of which have helped shape us to be the organisation that we are today.
“We remain eternally grateful for the innumerable economic opportunities brought on by independence. We are also indebted to our customers, whose faithful support has been the rudder giving stability to our ship throughout our twenty one years of service to the nation,” said Mr Mataranyika.
Nyaradzo Group has evolved from being a funeral assurer to become a diversified financial and events management group, and now has under its wings Nyaradzo Life Assurance Company, Nyaradzo Funeral Services, Calundike Exports, Eureka Insurance Brokers, Nyaradzo Asset Management Company and Sahwira Events and Lifestyle.
“By having the tools of trade under one roof, we have gained unique synergies within the group that have enabled growth, creating a sound platform for efficient and quality service delivery to both current and potential clients.
“Thanks to the independence we enjoy, we are a proudly Zimbabwean brand that is rooted in Afrocentric innovation and is focused on delivering exceptional customer service. We lend a keen ear to what our clients share about our products and services, which creates insights on how to best cater to their needs.”
He said independence did not only empower him, but has created life changing upstream and downstream opportunities for the Nyaradzo ecosystem, which includes suppliers and service providers to the group, its employees, investors, customers and the government through contribution to the fiscus.
“We have grown into a sizeable organisation with a staff complement of over 1 500 employees and more than 42 service centres and branches countrywide, many of which we built from the ground up.
“We now also have a presence outside the country, with stately service centres in Randburg, South Africa, and in Letchworth England,” he revealed.
The Sunday Mail also spoke to businessman, Mr Alex Elias Mashamhanda, who is also taking a lead in empowering Zimbabweans.
Mr Mashamhanda said independence has allowed black businesspeople to do what they could not under white rule.
“Whites did not allow us to own properties. We were not even allowed to have title deeds on any property, only leases were given out,” he said.
He bemoaned the segregation of black people before independence saying whites could trade freely in black areas when blacks could not do the same.
“Opportunities were closed for black people. We did not know about importation of goods into the country. Blacks were limited to distribution mostly in black areas,” he recalled.
He pointed out that productive farming was not meant for the black as they were confined to rural areas.
“Ultimately with a new dawn, opportunities opened for black entrepreneurs,” he added.
He said there is room for improvement adding he wanted more Zimbabweans to benefit from indigenisation and alleviate poverty.
Mr Mashamhanda also reminisced how before independence, black entrepreneurs were not able to access loans from banks.
“We were denied to operate the way we do now. However, now there are a lot of opportunities for our youngsters through employment creation,” he added.
He said Government should monitor businesses to see those who are performing in terms of creating employment and empowering youth.
Starting off with one worker when he opened shop, Mr Mashamhanda who owns Mashwede Village, which is under Mashwede Holdings now has over 700 employees.
He also owns Mashwede Fuel stations, Chicken Mash brands and Mash Treats among other business interests.
“I measure the success of my business through the number of people I employ and how we distribute our products,” he explained.
“Whatever dollar we get, we use the money to develop Zimbabwe not buy houses in South Africa etc. Some just buy shares and this does not create a single job out there.
“The overall thing is not to make money, but to create employment. We have a lot of work to do and would want to play our part.”
Online Reporter