Market cheers prevailing national peace

Sikhulekelani Moyo

MANY indigenous Zimbabweans are today excelling in financial, information and communication technology, mining and agriculture sectors, among other economic spheres, thanks to the sacrifices made by the gallant sons and daughters who prosecuted the war of liberation.

As Zimbabwe prepares to celebrate Heroes Day on August 11, some of the local entrepreneurs have now become experts in their own right, making millions of dollars in profit annually, while also contributing towards economic growth and the country’s Vision 2030.

Heroes Day is a public holiday set aside in August each year to celebrate Zimbabwe’s gallant heroes and heroines, both living and departed, who fought to free the country from the shackles of colonialism.

Defence Forces Day, marked the following day, is in honour of the relentless efforts by the country’s defence forces in ensuring that peace and tranquility prevail in the country as Zimbabweans conduct their businesses.

This year, the main Heroes Day commemorations, scheduled for Monday, August 11, will be held at the National Heroes Acre in Harare under the theme “Zim@45: Devolve and Develop Together Towards Vision 2030”.

Provincial commemorations will be held concurrently across the country, with senior Government officials presiding over them.

The main Defence Forces Day celebrations will be held at Rufaro Stadium in Harare on August 12 under the theme “Zimbabwe Defence Forces: Guaranteeing a Conducive Environment for the Attainment of Vision 2030”, with provincial commemorations also being held concurrently.

The celebrations come as small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have become key drivers of economic growth, broad-based empowerment, job creation and wealth creation, contributing significantly towards the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), with different agencies saying they constitute between 60 and 70 percent of the economy.

Matabeleland North SMEs provincial chairperson Mr Vethi Tshuma said independence marked a significant turning point for SMEs in Zimbabwe, offering immense opportunities for growth, innovation, national problem solving and economic contribution.

He said before independence, blacks who were in the sector faced significant hardships, including limited funding, which hindered growth, and retributive policies that curtailed their potential due to restrictive access to markets.

“After Zimbabwe gained independence, several positive changes benefitted SMEs. The new Government implemented policies to support SMEs, recognising their importance in driving economic growth and job creation,” said Mr Tshuma.

“Independence brought opportunities for entrepreneurs, especially the youths and women, to start and grow their own business ventures. The Government encouraged youth participation in economic activities through SME development and promoting gender equity.”

He added that Zimbabwean SMEs demonstrated strength in adapting to changing market conditions, allowing them to thrive.

“SMEs contributed to the country’s economic growth, generating income and creating jobs,” he said.

The Government is committed to providing the necessary support for successful entrepreneurial journeys.

In 2024 alone, the Government successfully facilitated market access for 14 173 SMEs through ZimTrade, with notable participation in events such as the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair and international trade fairs in Zambia, Tanzania, Malawi, Namibia, India, China and Turkey, according to official records.

Bulawayo Chamber of SMEs coordinator Mr Nketa Mangoye Dlamini said the war of liberation brought freedom, which allowed many blacks to start their businesses and be involved in economic activities.

He said before independence, there was a restriction on who could own a business, a situation that changed after Zimbabwe gained independence.

“The system that the heroes and heroines were fighting was supporting its own businesspeople, its own farmers, who were getting funding from the Government,” said Mr Dlamini.

“What we got from our heroes and heroines is the chance to stand on our own, to start our own things, be independent and decide our own social and economic destiny.

“Some of us, as young as 12 years, during our primary school days, were engaged in the liberation war. We did not cross into Botswana or Zambia, but we were literally in charge of the security system within our own area.

“People contributed a lot, our brothers and sisters, our uncles and fathers contributed to the liberation war, and we played our part as youths in terms of security and information. But after all has been said and done, everything was meant to open up the environment and chances so that black people can come up with their own business ideas, invest and start their businesses and the country prospers.”

Mr Dlamini said the nation should thank the heroes and heroines for that chance and utilise the opportunities in a good way.

He urged all stakeholders to support the SMEs sector, thereby help to promote growth and create employment for the country.