Prioritise successful local businesspeople in empowerment: Minister

preferential treatment under the indigenisation programme, a Cabinet minister has said.
The Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Engineer Walter Mzembi, said preferential treatment should be given to locals who have succeeded in other investments.
“As government we should offer preferential treatment to those who have proven their capacity by successfully running their own businesses,” said Eng Mzembi.
“People who have proven their capacity in holding their own by running their businesses should benefit first and foremost.
“This will ensure that we will have no problems of mismanagement and eventual collapse of some businesses because those who would have acquired them would not have the capacity to run them.”
Eng Mzembi made the remarks on Friday during the official opening of the third branch of the Chicken Slice, Creamy Slice and Pizza Slice fast-food outlet along Samora Machel Avenue in the capital.
The outlet, which is part of the Packers International Group, is owned by local businessman, Mr Tawanda Mutyebere.
Eng Mzembi said local businesspeople should pluck a leaf from businessmen such as Mr Mutyebere, who had built their empires through hard work.
“Others should emulate the good work you have done over the years,” he said.
“This will ensure that the country continues on its economic growth path.”
Speaking at the same event, Mr Mutyebere, an award-winning gospel musician, said the Chicken Slice brand was one of the fastest growing fast-food brands in the country as evidenced by his scooping of the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce Businessman of the Year for Midlands province last year.
“Our product has received overwhelming response from our expanding market,” said Mr Mutyebere.
“We have made great inroads into the Zimbabwean market, testimony that we are on the right track.”