adminSharon Chigeza Herald Correspondent
MUTARE City, Econet Wireless Zimbabwe and airtime vendors last week announced a tripartite arrangement that will see vendors selling both airtime and parking discs to motorists in the city centre. The vendors have since been given bibs clearly branded by both Econet and Mutare City for easy identification. Mutare Mayor, Councillor Tatenda Nhamarare, who presided over the handover ceremony at Meikles Park in Mutare yesterday morning, said council was pleased with the union of the three stakeholders as it enhanced the ease of doing business within the city.
“It is great to have been united with our business partner in a relationship that will help Mutare residents especially motorists to interact well with the municipality,” he said.
Councillor Nhemarare said he was aware of the financial constraints vendors were facing, which was affecting their ability to pay their monthly vending subscriptions and urged them to come up with viable payment plans. Econet Manicaland’s general manager Mr Parshon Muranganwa said Econet had always recognised airtime vendors as business partners for they are the major drivers in airtime sales.
He said he was aware of vendors’ concern over the price hike in airtime hence the decision of bring a new business partner, the city council of Mutare to increase the volume of business for vendors.
“I am aware that as our business partners we have unsettled business due to the price hike in airtime, but let us not forget that we are here to partner in a viable business,” said Mr Muranganwa.
Airtime vendor and entrepreneur Takudzwa Matsikenyiri applauded the handing over of bibs, saying it would help reduce clashes between authorities and vendors during operations on illegal vendors in the city. Airtime Vendors Association representative, Mr Hazvirambwi Madzinga, hailed Mutare City’s move to recognise them as business partners.
“On behalf of airtime vendors of Mutare, I would like to say this event has uplifted the status of airtime vendors from mere vendors shunned by the general populace to that of business partners and we feel greatly honoured by the gesture,” said Madzinga.
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