Online Reporter
Trust Freddy-Herald Correspondent
President Mnangagwa’s pro-investment policies, which are anchored on supporting local businesses, have been hailed for ushering in a new era of economic empowerment, fostering a construction boom and cultivating a fresh class of local millionaires as the country accelerates towards achieving an upper middle-income economy by 2030.
The President’s philosophy, championed through the rallying cry, “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo”, is being credited for establishing a fertile environment for business growth and self-reliance
This enabling environment has allowed prominent figures including Dr Kudakwashe Tagwirei, Mr Wicknell Chivayo, Dr Leonard Mukumba, Mabvuku-Tafara legislator Mr Pedzai “Scott” Sakupwanya and Dr Sam Nhanhanga, and many others, to rapidly expand their businesses.
These local giants are now dominant forces in the construction, mining, transport and agriculture sectors, with many of their enterprises successfully making inroads into the regional market.
The Second Republic’s policies have been credited for enabling businessmen like Mr Chivayo, the founder of Intratrek Zimbabwe.
Apart from growing his business, he has equally intensified philanthropic works, aligning with the President’s vision of leaving no one and no place behind.
Mr Chivayo has donated across the sectors including the arts and entertainment sector where he has donated vehicles and pledged financial support.
He has also donated to the sports sector. The businessman also extended his support to his church and former schools.
Johanne Masowe received 10 brand-new 75-seater Higer buses, while Dudley Hall Primary School and John Landa Nkomo School each received one bus.
In a post on his X handle, Mr Chivayo wrote; “Congratulations Dudley Hall School nhasi chimuti chiri kwenyu…1 million USD is ready for you to use immediately. If I remember well, I lived in Cornell up to Grade 4 and then Oxford up to Grade 7 while my sisters were in Anson.”
On his part, Dr Tagwirei, through his Bridging the Gap Foundation, has been investing millions into empowerment projects across the country.
Some of the initiatives include the donation of 17 tractors in Matabeleland, which were distributed to schools to promote sustainable agriculture and enhance the quality of education and community life.
Dr Tagwirei has also been expanding medical outreach programmes nationwide.
Further, his Arundel Hospital in Harare has been offering free medical treatment in support of the country’s vision of achieving universal health coverage by 2030.
He is also credited with creating other millionaires such as Fossil Contracting owner Mr Obey Chimuka, who has played a key role in the construction boom across the country.
Recently, Dr Tagwirei pledged to construct a multi-million-dollar complex at PaDust market in Hatcliffe and a world-class Glen View Area 8 Complex.
He also pledged to transform Gazaland in Highfield, Harare, to accelerate the growth and transformation of the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) sector.
In addition, Dr Tagwirei pledged to build five clinics equipped with maternity wards in Glen View, Glen Norah, Highfield and Budiriro.
Another beneficiary of the Second Republic’s policies is mining magnate and legislator, Cde Sakupwanya, the CEO and founder of the diversified Betterbrands Group.
He is widely commended for reviving local soccer after his Scottland, the 2025 Champions of the local Castle Premier Soccer League, saw more attendance at football matches.
The businessman is transforming the Mabvuku Number One Grounds into a modern sporting and recreational complex.
On completion, it will be a 15 000-seater stadium, as Cde Sakupwanya seeks to take football closer to the Mabvuku-Tafara people, in the spirit of leaving no one and no place behind.
His efforts complement the Government’s objectives of providing world-class recreational facilities.
Cde Sakupwanya has also been rolling out empowerment projects in his constituency under the devolution agenda.
Similarly, the supportive environment has enabled businessman and Hardrock Football Club owner Mr Shepherd Chahwanda to embark on the construction of a 15 000-seater Chahwanda Stadium in Kwekwe.
Upon completion, the facility will feature modern amenities including a B-Arena, clubhouse, changing rooms, a Presidential suite, a clinic and a ZIFA House.
Beyond the construction and mining sectors, the Second Republic’s policies have significantly impacted the transport sector.
Owner of InterAfrica bus company, Dr Leonard Mukumba, has created employment for 1 500 people, an expansion largely attributed to the Government’s duty-free privilege for public service buses.
Introduced in 2022, the Government facility granted approved transport operators a one-year grace period to import buses duty-free, resulting in the sector replenishing its fleet with over 1 500 new buses imported.
CAG Tours owner and Zimbabwe Passenger Transport Organisation (ZPTO) chairman, Dr Sam Nhanhanga, is another top businessman making considerable waves in the transport sector, thanks to the conducive business climate created by the Second Republic.
President Mnangagwa has always emphasised the need to grow the economy and the need to have local companies implementing capital intensive projects so as to prosper local businessmen.
All local companies working on national roads have proved to be capable of delivering quality work and where works have not met expected standards, the companies have been willing to go back and re-do the job.
