Kaguvi shoe production shoots up

Wynne Zanamwe, Midlands Reporter
KAGUVI Vocational Training Centre (KVCT) is now producing about 2 000 pairs of shoes every month after entering into a partnership with Bata Shoe Company.

The country’s biggest shoe manufacturer entered into a partnership with the vocational training centre in Gweru as part of measures to empower entrepreneurial institutions.

KVTC, which is situated about 40km from Gweru along the Gweru – Harare road, is now part of the shoe manufacturer’s Associated Business Unit (ABUs).

Speaking at the Institution’s 14th graduation and prize giving ceremony on Friday, Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Minister Patrick Zhuwao said he was impressed with the results of the partnership between KVCT and Bata Shoe Company.

“I am impressed by the tremendous efforts made following the partnership between Kaguvi VCT and Bata Shoe Company.

“The provision of industrial sewing machines by the aforementioned has greatly improved production at the centre and I am informed that 1 000 sandals are produced every two weeks at this institution through a sub-contracting arrangement,” he said.

Bata has also set up shoe manufacturing equipment at Mupfure Vocational Training Centre near Chegutu and at Danhiko School in Harare as part of the ABUs.

Bata introduced ABUs as part of measures to empower members of the community as well as complying with the country’s indigenisation laws where it has subcontracted local enterprises to make shoes on its behalf.

To cement the partnership, the company handed over five shoe stitching machines to the KVTC which will be used for the making of shoes at the institution. Under the partnership arrangement, Bata has trained lecturers and students from KVTC at its Gweru factory as part of its quality control mechanisms.

Minister Zhuwao encouraged the graduates to use the knowledge that they have acquired and their hands so that they can help in changing the economy.

“The youth have their hands, power and knowledge and they must be able to use these as tools, learn more about the market and how to produce quality products.

“All we need to do as a ministry is to provide a market base and encourage the youngsters to help change the economy,” said Zhuwao.

KVCT Principal, Mr Villie Manyoka, said the partnership was a welcome development which had resulted in the college earning extra income. “We have been manufacturing sandals on behalf of Bata Shoe Company at a cost and we are hoping to produce more products other than sandals. The company is supplying us with raw materials for the entire product and we give them finished goods.

“This arrangement has benefited us in three different ways which include the training of students, capacitating our staff and we have also managed to get income though it’s not very significant but it helps in the development of the institution,” said Mr Manyoka.

@wynnezane