‘Pastures are green at home ’

Profile Prosper Ndlovu
IT’s true that the economy is in bad shape at home hence thousands of university graduates skip the country’s borders each year in search of perceived greener pastures in neighbouring countries and overseas.
The country’s industry can’t tame the ballooning job demand.
So depressing is the situation for job seeking graduates and worse for thousands of school leavers, who hold no skill or qualification in anything.

Ironically, while Zimbabweans cross the borders in search of jobs, foreign investors are flocking in to exploit the country’s resources and create themselves jobs.
Stelix Civils Investment Ltd founder, Philani Mpofu, 40, a University of Zimbabwe (UZ) civil engineering graduate said it took him a while to realise that opportunity abounds at home.

After spending eight years in Ireland and the United Kingdom, he said it dawned to him that his dream would not be fulfilled in a foreign land.
“I formed Stelix in 2008 on my return from the Diaspora. I worked in the engineering field there for eight years and got experience in the construction of tunnels and major highways in road designs and infrastructure,” Mpofu recalled.

“I always had a dream to set up my own company. My UK colleagues used to envy Africa’s riches and kept saying given my position, they wouldn’t have left home for the Diaspora because developing a business is easier in Africa than overseas.”

With that challenge Mpofu said he packed his bags and came back home to establish his enterprise.
“I tried to venture into tin and tantalite mining in Hwange but the idea wasn’t successful as it required a lot of investment and I couldn’t afford huge plant equipment. I then jumped into construction and set up Stelix Civils using the little proceeds I got from mining,” he said.

The construction venture grew quickly, Mpofu went on, and allowing the company to expand as it got support from clients.
He said the country’s skilled human capital became a springboard for the young firm as he was able to recruit the right personnel.

“I started with five people for basic labour and then engaged qualified engineers, accountants and so on. Today our staff complement stands at 166.
“We now have 50 tonne excavators among other earthmoving equipment,” said Mpofu.

“We adopted a strategy of keeping 10 percent of all our income for re-investment and that has allowed us to grow. We also support charity work.”
Stelix Civils has scored major successes, having won several local authority, telecoms and mining tenders in rural provinces and NGO-financed projects.

“We’ve rehabilitated the sewer system for BCC in Trenance suburb and now we’re servicing 400 housing stands in Emhlangeni and 700 stands in Pumula South.
“We’re also finalising setting up a $2 million Marvel Clay Brick making company along Harare road,” said the ambitious soft spoken entrepreneur.

“Our long term vision is to venture into coal and gas exploration. We believe the future is green and there is a lot of scope because this country has vast resources that haven’t been exploited. If we get there, the potential is unlimited as we can manufacture fertilisers and coal by-products among others.”

Profiteering has never been a guarantee for a company’s success, said Mpofu, who noted that companies that chase after higher margins have lost it out in a competitive economic environment.

“While in the Diaspora, I learnt something about pricing that ‘every little helps’. Our motto is anchored on limited profit margins anchored on increased volumes,”  he added.

Mpofu graduated at UZ in 1997, briefly worked for the Bulawayo City Council, Umguza Rural District Council and UNDP before going to Ireland in 2001.
He is now doing a Masters’ Degree in Major Programmes Management with the UK Oxford University to arm himself with skills of managing large scale projects.