Online Reporter
Top Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Ministry officials are today embarking on a high-level tour of several strategic facilities in Bulawayo, spanning critical sectors such as manufacturing, health, education, innovation and broadcasting.
Deputy Minister Dr Omphile Marupi and the Director of Media Services Mr George Chisoko are leading the delegation.
The itinerary includes visits to Edgars Carousel, Baker’s Inn Plant, United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) Medical Laboratory and Solar Project, Bulawayo Students Accommodation City complex, the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) Innovation Hub, Mpilo Central Hospital facilities, Cowdray Park Health Centre, Vulindlela Primary School, and ZBC’s Montrose Studios.
At Edgars Carousel, the delegation will witness the revitalisation of local textile manufacturing.
The company’s manufacturing division is on a growth trajectory following a major retooling exercise.
More than US$1 million has been invested in modern machinery, with the firm now aiming to surpass the 100,000 units monthly production mark, a milestone last achieved in 1999.
The crew will also tour Baker’s Inn, a division of the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange-listed Innscor Africa, which last year commissioned a US$27,8 million bakery in Bulawayo.
The state-of-the-art facility now contributes more than a quarter of the company’s national bread supply.
It has improved operational efficiency, reduced waste and lowered fuel consumption, underlining the impact of continued investment in food manufacturing.
Another key stop is the Bulawayo Students Accommodation City complex, which has been lauded as a model of successful public-private sector collaboration.
Commissioned by President Mnangagwa last year, the multi-million-dollar facility offers 516 rooms designed to accommodate 1 032 students.
It houses learners from various tertiary institutions, with a majority coming from NUST.
The Public Service Commission’s Public Service Pension Fund is a co-investor in the project, working alongside Old Mutual Life Assurance Company, Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe (IDBZ), Motor Industry Pension Fund, Zimnat Nominees, and the Old Mutual Local Pension Fund Syndicate.
The facility underscores the Government’s commitment to smart infrastructure and enhancing the learning environment for Zimbabwe’s future professionals.
In the health sector, the delegation will inspect the Mpilo Incinerator, Mpilo Doctor’s Accommodation/One-Stop Centre, and Cowdray Park Health Centre.
These visits come as the Government accelerates the upgrade of national health infrastructure in line with international standards.
The Second Republic has remained steadfast in implementing comprehensive healthcare reforms including re-equipping and modernising hospitals and clinics to ensure accessible, high-quality care for all citizens.
Senior Business Reporter Nqobile Bhebhe will give us live updates from the tour.
Carousel rides high on post-Presidential Tour Gains
Edgars Limited’s manufacturing arm, Carousel, is riding high on the back of multiple transformative gains following a high-profile visit by President Mnangagwa earlier this year with key operational bottlenecks now significantly eased.
Speaking during a high-level tour of Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services on Friday, Carousel managing director Mr Menfree Tanyanyiwa said the company had realised substantial positive spin-offs in the wake of the President’s engagement.
“As Carousel, we were facing several operational challenges that included electricity availability and access to funds to boost our re-tooling process,” said Mr Tanyanyiwa.
“However, we are extremely grateful in that a week after President Mnangagwa’s tour early this year, we saw multiple positive spin-offs.”
He said one of the most immediate benefits was the resolution of the company’s electricity supply challenges.
“Electricity challenges have been sorted out and we now enjoy about 99 percent availability. We are grateful for that.”
The manufacturing division has also been buoyed by improved access to critical re-tooling support and policy incentives facilitating raw material imports.
“Another high-impact spin-off is that of re-tooling funds and the importation of fabric,” Mr Tanyanyiwa said.
“We now import fabric duty-free. That policy has been instrumental, and we hope it continues permanently.”
He further revealed that re-tooling is actively underway, with a specialist team currently in Italy undergoing advanced training — a direct outcome of President Mnangagwa’s visit.
“Re-tooling is ongoing. We have a team that is in Italy training, and it’s one of the spin-offs from His Excellency’s visit,” he said.
State-of-the-art Baker’s Inn plant showcases Zimbabwe’s industrial transformation
The Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Ministry leadership is now touring the multimillion-dollar Baker’s Inn bread manufacturing plant in Bulawayo — a state-of-the-art facility commissioned by President Mnangagwa in May 2024 — as part of an infrastructure assessment programme.
The plant is a division of the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange-listed Innscor Africa Limited and stands as a shining example of the Second Republic’s push for industrial transformation through strategic investment in food manufacturing.
Deputy Minister Dr Omphile Marupi, Permanent Secretary Mr Nick Mangwana and Director of Media Services Mr George Chikoso are among the high-level delegation that received a comprehensive briefing from the company’s southern region general manager, Mr Mpofu.
He revealed that the plant now produces a staggering 245 000 loaves of bread per day, accounting for over 25 percent of Baker’s Inn’s national output.
“This investment has enhanced our operational efficiencies significantly. We are witnessing improved product quality, reduced waste and lower fuel consumption,” said Mr Mpofu.
The tour is providing Government officials with firsthand insights into how modern technology and private sector-led innovation are propelling Zimbabwe’s manufacturing sector forward.
