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The recently held clothing sector indaba revealed a disturbing trend in our country. Government departments are said to be failing to support the local clothing industry by opting to import their uniforms. The clothing and textile sector, which is virtually on its knees, due to the flooding of cheap imports and lack of liquidity to reinvest in their operations, argues that support from the Government and its departments could go a long way in reviving the ailing industry.
We share the concerns of the clothing sector because if at its peak in the 1990s, it could employ more than 35 000 people, it certainly deserves all the support it can get.
A good number of the clothing companies are also owned by indigenous Zimbabwean business people and Government support would also go a long way in consolidating the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Programme. The current state of affairs has seen the employment levels in the clothing sector plummet to an estimated 8 000, which is pathetic compared to the 1990s figures.
The reports that the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Zimbabwe National Army are importing their uniforms raises questions whether, as a country, we are really committed to reviving our economy.
Perhaps the Government and its departments are resorting to importing because the local clothing industry, which is currently operating at a capacity utilisation of 30 percent, is not able to meet huge demands.
But the Government and its departments could set aside a certain percentage of their orders for the local clothing manufacturers and then import the balance.
Zimbabwe Clothing Manufacturers’ Association chairperson Mr Jeremy Youmans’ argument that it was critical for the Government and other stakeholders to tackle local procurement is justified.
Mr Stan Mangoma, a director in the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, acknowledged at the meeting that it was crucial to support the local clothing manufacturers.
There is also need to change people’s mindsets in this country that everything imported is superior and promote our own home made products.
Representatives of the local clothing sector expressed their willingness to work with Government to address concerns, if there are any, over the quality of their products.
Buying local is also convenient in the sense that you do not worry about shipping hassles and the anxiety of waiting for your order from far away destinations.
Our clothing and textile industry has the potential to grow if adequately supported.
We grow cotton in Zimbabwe but the cotton is exported raw and farmers continue to lament the poor prices they realise from toiling on their plots.
This means the local clothing and textile companies have to import their raw materials because we cannot process the cotton here.
If we heed President Mugabe’s calls for value addition to our agricultural products, then we could overcome some of the teething problems ruining our industries.
Even our competitors admit that we can be a force to be reckoned with in terms of the clothing and textile sector.
Mr Ashley Naidoo of South Africa who also attended the meeting urged the local industry to reorganise itself because it had the potential to compete with the best in the Southern African Development Community region.
None but ourselves can promote our own businesses and industries. If we fail to do that we are causing our own demise as a country.
Online Reporter