Mbare vendors slowly rising from ashes

Emmanuel Kafe

The once-thriving Mbare Musika Market now stands as a scarred shell of its former self.

Earlier this month, a raging inferno reduced its vibrant stalls and bustling corridors to smouldering ruins, displacing an estimated 5 000 vendors and farmers who depended on the market for their livelihoods.

Yet, amid the ashes, a spirit of resilience has emerged as traders have begun rebuilding their lives, determined to restore the heart of one of Zimbabwe’s historic informal marketplaces. Just weeks after the disaster, makeshift stalls have appeared on the same charred ground, evidence of the vendors’ unyielding will to recover.

“I lost everything,” said Mrs Lucia Chinembiri, a 35-year-old mother of three who sold fresh produce at the market.

“But I couldn’t stay down. I took a loan from a local cooperative and started anew.”

Her humble stall, patched together with scraps, now proudly displays an assortment of fruits and vegetables — a symbol of her perseverance. But for others, the journey to recovery has been more difficult.

“I had to borrow money at high interest rates,” said Mr Tinashe Moyo, a 28-year-old vendor who sold second-hand clothing.

“It’s tough, but this market is my lifeblood. I had no choice but to start all over.”

Some vendors fortunate to have savings have restarted their businesses, while others rely on the goodwill of farmers and suppliers.

Mrs Esther Chimwamira, a seasoned trader, said: “I had a bit of money set aside, but many of us are also getting produce on credit from farmers. They trust we will pay them back when things stabilise.”

One such farmer is Mr Thompson Mudyiwa from Glendale, who has supplied produce to Mbare Musika for years. He said he is determined to help vendors get back on their feet, and has started offering his produce, which includes maize, potatoes and cabbages, on credit.

“We are in this together,” he said.

“I want to see these women and youths rise again.”

This sense of community solidarity has been a lifeline for many traders at the market.

Government steps in

Following the devastating inferno, President Mnangagwa declared the market fire a State of Disaster, paving the way for Government intervention. Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said the Government was working with development partners to assist affected traders.

“The ministry is continuously engaging with other Government departments and agencies to develop a comprehensive response plan,” she told The Sunday Mail.

Separately, Harare Metropolitan Provincial Affairs and Devolution Permanent Secretary Mr Cosmas Chiringa said provincial authorities were collaborating with local leaders to coordinate recovery efforts.

“Following President Mnangagwa’s declaration of a State of Disaster, Harare Metropolitan province was tasked with collaborating with the Mbare leadership,” he said.

“This morning (Thursday last week), I had a meeting with councillors and explained to them what the Government intends to do and they are all on board.”

He said as part of the recovery strategy, vendors will be temporarily relocated to alternative sites to allow renovations at Mbare Musika to proceed.

The Government, he added, was committed to transforming the market with modern amenities, including upgraded pavements, new toilets and a durable perimeter wall.

“Vendors have expressed readiness to relocate, allowing construction to proceed unimpeded.

“The revamped market will feature modern amenities, including new toilets, a durable wall and upgraded pavements,” he said.

Local banks are also being engaged to provide non-collateral loans to help vendors rebuild.

“We’re ensuring that traders can access the financial support they need to start over,” added Mr Chiringa.

Dr Elfa Munyukwa, an economist specialising in disaster recovery, commended the swift intervention by the Government.

He said in a high-traffic market like Mbare, where money changes hands daily, vendors needed immediate financial assistance — preferably low-interest loans or grants.

“There is also need to establish a vendor insurance scheme to mitigate future risks, investing in fire prevention infrastructure and regular market maintenance needs to be considered as well,” he said.

“Government should be creating alternative market spaces to reduce reliance on a single location.”

Meanwhile, a security guard who was arrested last week on allegations of causing the fire three weeks ago was denied bail by a Mbare magistrate.

Action Chakauya (35) was denied bail due to the gravity of his offence.

He is charged with negligently causing serious damage to property.

The State alleges that his colleagues, who were on duty that night, saw him starting the fire which later spread, destroying the entire market and goods left for overnight storage.