Lessons from Chipolopolo’s victory

by the way the Chipolopolo supporters rallied behind their team and the conviction they had in its ability to lift the trophy.
I believe that if the same principles are adopted here in our sporting and entertainment arena, it will put our country on the world map.
If adopted in business it will help cement our position as Africa’s fastest growing economy in no time.
The forthcoming Buy Zimbabwe Conference and Exhibition to be held on March 29, 2012 at the Meikles Hotel should be just about enhancing our capacity as one of the fastest growing economies in the world.
It could be an issue of where I am right now but I am seeing growth all around me and where I do not see growth I am seeing lots of potential.
I am greatly inspired by this year’s CEO Africa Roundtable theme “Towards a US$100 Billion Economy by 2040: Regional Perspective” because of its boldness.
It shows that Zimbabwe is ready to make a regional impact and dovetails very well into Buy Zimbabwe’s competitiveness agenda.
To see Zimbabwe transforming into a competitive regional hub is something we do not need to be apologetic about and, trust me, we can do it if we all combine our energy.
I am sure that the CEOs attending this year’s edition of the roundtable will leave Victoria Falls eager to work in unison and those of us behind them shall be available to provide the necessary support as we build our businesses and our country. Let us all expect serious action this year.
In 2011 we introduced the Buy Zimbabwe Conference theme “Going Beyond Words” which really was a call to action for all Zimbabweans.
Some took it up and some are still not decided. We are back again in 2012 with the same message for those that did not hear it but at the same time we are moving forward with our partners in Government, business, the media and consumers.
For us as Buy Zimbabwe, the conference is an opportunity to bring together the captains of industry and look at how we inspire our team to victory against all odds?
Unlike the Chipolopolo example though, I feel that the team that we have assembled over the last year is a strong, bold team.
In one of my contributions last year I wrote about our ever growing team of Buy Zimbabwe brands and if we doubt this team in the same manner that some Zimbabweans doubted the abilities of the Zambians we stand to achieve very little.
However, if we rally behind the team in the manners that some Zimbabwean and all Zambians did to inspire their team to an astounding victory from the touchline, then we too can get the bragging rights of having competitive brands not only on the local but on international market.
This year began with us welcoming Afdis, Amtec and Beta Bricks to Team Zimbabwe of brands and judging by the pedigree of these brands, you will agree that these are no underdogs but actually represent some of the finest brands to have jumped onto the Buy Zimbabwe bandwagon.
The unfortunate thing is that there are still some Zimbabweans who despite supporting the idea of a competitive local industry have their hearts and minds in the wrong place.
They still have their “fingers crossed” like me for Zambia. Only hoping for the best but very little action to support back that hope.
Judging from the emotion that I saw in the Zambian support, I am almost certain that none had their fingers crossed like me.
The Zambians were clearly gunning for victory. That hunger was reflected in the ball control and teamwork on the field. So it became an off-the-field and on-the field-affair that mesmerised the Ivorians leaving the world spellbound by Zambia’s exploits.
It was a befitting tribute to their star-studded national team that perished in an air crash off the coast of Gabon in 1993.
My point here is we need not look back at our past and feel that we have been beaten so many times and so we cannot rise from the ashes like a phoenix.
We too can find the strength in our numbers to overcome our challenges because together we stand, divided we fall.
We have a wonderful nation, which God has richly blessed . . . Let’s ensure that we do not waste our inheritance.
Till next week . . . God bless.

l Robert Muganda is the Media and Communications Executive for Buy Zimbabwe. He can be contacted on: 0772 714 233 email: [email protected]. Facebook: Buy Zimbabwe Campaign twitter: Buy Zimbabwe Campaign