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Liberty Dube
Post Correspondent
DECEMBER 21 will go down in history for Manicaland vendors as the day that saw them uniting to form an association that will represent their interests and turnaround their economic fortunes.
The historic day saw the official launching of the Vendors for Economic Development (Vendors for ED) Manicaland chapter at Sakubva Beithall.
This will see vendors in the province speaking with one voice, while their concerns and aspirations will be tackled as an organised entity.
The Vendors for Economic Development is a youth-driven organisation registered with the Zimbabwe Youth Council which seeks to facilitate the inclusion and meaningful participation of vendors including women and youth in the Zimbabwean economy.
The organisation also presents a platform to mobilise vendors to join the revolutionary party, ZANU PF, register and vote for President Mnangagwa
It advocates for the protection and safety of vendors at their workplace, while advancing the cause of women and youth empowerment through organised vending.
The chapter’s provincial chairperson, Mr Charles Nyakuwanikwa, in an interview on the sidelines of the event, expressed optimism that the launch is a turning point, a moment of redemption and the dawn of brighter days for vendors in the province.
“This launch is a milestone. We want our vendors to be on a higher level by 2023. Most vendors were struggling to make ends meet and had a lot of misgivings. We want the local authorities to look for ideal locations where vendors can sell their wares without any interruption as soon as possible.
“The current scenario sees vendors walking around looking for customers to buy their wares, yet it is supposed to be the other way round. We need properly built marketplaces for vendors and put to bed the cat-and-mouse relationship between law enforcement agents and vendors,” he said.
Patron of the Vendors for Economic Development (Vendors of ED) Manicaland chapter, Mr Leonard Mukumba, said vendors should be able to sell their wares freely and local authorities should bring to an end the protracted wars between municipal police and vendors.
“It is an honour to have such a movement and we are happy that the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Cde Nokhutula Matsikenyere and other dignitaries managed to grace the launch. This will go a long way in emancipating the vendors and create an enabling environment that will see them prosper and change their lives for the better.
“It is not a secret that there are thousands of vendors in Manicaland. They have been playing a critical role in mobilising support for President Mnangagwa and the ruling party, especially for the upcoming 2023 harmonised elections. Vendors are a huge constituency that should be treated well,” he said.
ZANU PF national secretary for finance, Cde Patrick Chinamasa, who was represented by Nyanga South Member of National Assembly, Cde Supa Mandiwanzira, said the movement is an ideal platform for vendors to air and present their voice as an organised entity.
“This initiative is a demonstration of His Excellency, President Mnangagwa’s commitment to make sure that nobody is left behind in the quest for economic emancipation. President Mnangagwa has repeatedly said that no one must be left behind in the development and progression of our country, and to have vendors as part of our trajectory and as part of the equation is most important.
“I think it is a wonderful platform for vendors who were never given a voice before to present themselves to the ruling party’s provincial and national leadership as well as local authority as an organised entity.
“They will be able to air their grievances and the kind of support they need. Government as well as the local authorities will be able to respond to the issues using the same channel. President Mnangagwa is synonymous with economic development, so it is appropriate to say vendors for President Emmerson Mnangagwa because he is a personification of economic development in the country,” he said.
Scores of jubilant people, largely among them, vendors attended the launch which started with a procession to the venue.
They joined each other in song and dance.
Cde Matsikenyiri, who was the guest of honour, said the launch of the Vendors of ED Manicaland Chapter is a historic feat.
“This is a milestone achievement. Vendors constitute the majority of the informal employment chunk, and this is a welcome initiative which will see them air their grievances as an organised entity and in one voice. We are happy with the efforts that they are doing to mobilise support for President Mnangagwa and ZANU PF.
‘‘They have been a critical component in the immaculate growth of the ruling party. We are already in the process of engaging the city fathers for them to offer them decent and ideal places for vending. We believe this movement will play a critical role in addressing their grievances and wishes,” she said.
Interviewed vendors welcomed the development.
“This was long overdue. We would like to thank our leaders who managed to grace this occasion and ensure that we will unite and speak with one voice. We are tired of the cat-and-mouse game with law enforcement agents. We want to have our own place where we can operate freely,” said a fruit and vegetable vendor, Mr Patrick Kamupaundi.
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