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Oliver Kazunga
Senior Business Reporter
That Regis Nyamakanga is a distinguished Zimbabwean journalist and communications expert is a no-brainer.
His awe-inspiring journey to become a successful entrepreneur, trading the pen for the now thriving agribusiness empire, should be a lesson for anyone who dares to dream.
Born on May 3, 1966, in the Dowa Small Scale Commercial Farming area in Rusape, Makoni West, in Manicaland Province, Mr Nyamakanga’s early years were shaped by a community known for producing some of Zimbabwe’s most accomplished individuals.
He attended Dowa Primary School, where he walked the same halls as reputable Zimbabwean figures such as Dr Dexter Chavhunduka, Sarah Kachingwe, Dr Gordon Chavhunduka, and former Agriculture Minister Dr Joseph Made.
“I pursued my secondary education in Rusape and Harare before embarking on my journalism career. I studied a Diploma in Journalism and Communication from the Christian College of Southern Africa in Harare.
“The thirst for knowledge led me to further my studies, obtaining a Bachelor of Technology in Journalism from Tshwane University in South Africa, a Master of Arts in Communication from Daystar University in Kenya, and an Executive Master’s in Business Administration from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology in Kenya,” he said.
His journalism career took off at Zimbabwe’s premier business and financial newspaper, the Financial Gazette, in 1988.
Perhaps, it is by no mistake that he has turned out to be a successful entrepreneur in the field of agriculture, given the history of his formative years as a scribe.
Starting as an agricultural reporter, he rapidly climbed the ranks, becoming agricultural editor, news editor and eventually deputy editor by 1993.
His editorial expertise also saw him serve as editor of the now-defunct Sunday Gazette and managing editor at Argosy Press, which specialised in trade publications under Modus Publications.
His journalistic prowess was recognised through multiple accolades, including Financial Writer of the Year, Business Writer of the Year, Agricultural Writer of the Year and Medical Writer of the Year.
“In 1994, I transitioned into public relations, becoming the first black managing director of Spectrum Public Relations Consultants, then Zimbabwe’s leading Public Relations firm.
“In the years that followed, I ascended to the role of executive chairman of Spectrum before moving into corporate communications as group communications executive at Shabanie Mashaba Mines (SMM) Holdings.
“And from 2000 to 2004, I oversaw the company’s extensive communication strategy across diverse industries, including financial services, agriculture, insurance, publishing and manufacturing.”
After his time at SMM Holdings, Mr Nyamakanga relocated to South Africa, where he made significant contributions in the media and communications sectors, serving as the first black executive director of Gillian Gamsy International Communications, an esteemed public relations firm.
His editorial expertise continued with key roles as associate editor at South Africa’s Business Day and executive editor at news publication Business Report, two of the country’s leading business publications.
Mr Nyamakanga’s reputation as a strategic communicator earned him a position as head of regional communications for Eastern and Southern Africa at Plan International, a globally recognised Non-Governmental Organisation, where he led communications for 12 countries over an eight-year period.
His expertise also took him to NATO’s Joint Warfare Centre in Stavanger, Norway, where he served as a communications expert.
“And from 2014, I worked as project director at the United Nations Information Support Team in Somalia, supporting African Union and United Nations peacekeeping missions for five years,” he said.
Beyond his success in journalism and communications, Mr Nyamakanga has played a pivotal role in transforming Zimbabwe’s rabbit farming industry.
Having started rabbit farming in 2002 at his Ruwa plot outside Harare, he initially supplied rabbit meat to local restaurants and hotels, including the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services restaurant in Highlands, Harare.
His career is a testament to his adaptability, leadership and vision.
From shaping Zimbabwe’s media landscape to driving the growth of a lucrative agricultural sector, he has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence.
His commitment to the industry culminated in his election as the first president of the Zimbabwe Commercial Rabbit Breeders Association (ZICORBA) in 2020.
Under his leadership, ZICORBA has turned rabbit farming from a small-scale, backyard enterprise into a commercially viable industry poised to positively impact the livelihoods of about 1,8 million households in Zimbabwe.
Over the past five years, the association has led the transformation of the domestic cuniculture industry from a backyard activity into a vibrant business enterprise with an estimated 15 000 farmers, growing the sector’s economy to US$2,5 million.
The sector is projected to become a $100 million industry in the long term.
“Rabbit farming in Zimbabwe presents a lucrative opportunity, but it is not a get-rich-quick scheme.
“Success in this venture requires careful planning, diligence and patience. Aspiring farmers should start small, learning the ropes before expanding to avoid costly mistakes.
“Proper housing and hygiene are essential to prevent disease outbreaks while investing in quality breeding stock ensures high productivity,” said Mr Nyamakanga.
Understanding the market, he said, is crucial — having a plan for selling meat, manure, or fur before scaling-up helps maintain profitability.
“Effective feed management, combining commercial pellets with cost-effective alternatives, reduces costs while maximising growth.
“Keeping accurate records of expenses, breeding cycles and sales aids in making informed business decisions.”
He said networking with experienced farmers and joining ZICORBA can provide valuable insights and access to better markets, adding that challenges such as market fluctuations and disease outbreaks are inevitable.
“But with resilience and proactive planning, rabbit farming can become a sustainable and rewarding agribusiness,” said the ZICORBA president, who owns a 250-hectare farm in Chivhu where he keeps rabbit, pigs, goat, sheep and indigenous chicken.
Mr Nyamakanga was instrumental in securing investments for Zimbabwe’s first rabbit abattoir, one of the largest in Africa, and in pioneering value-added rabbit products, including rabbit sausages, polony, burgers, pizza, pies, samosas and biltong.
This is in line with the Government’s call for value addition of both livestock and crop value chains to boost the overall performance of the agriculture sector which is expected to grow to a US$13,75 billion industry by next year.
In 2021, Zimbabwe’s agriculture hit the initial target of US$8,2 billion underpinned by improved productivity and production across all the sub-sectors.
Online Reporter