adminglitter and is struggling to resuscitate collapsing industries, what we encountered was beyond belief.
In place of steaming and productive industrial activity were rows and rows of flea markets full to the brim with imported goods, mainly from China and South Africa.
Instead of thousands of workers who used to man machines in the City of Progress, we now have less than a dozen individuals seating on imported teller machines to process a few dollars from Zimbabwean consumers keen on associating with various foreign fabrics. The result of all this is quite predictable — more job losses and a less prosperous city whose infrastructure continues to deteriorate amid worsening poverty.
With Unki Mine nearby we were reminded of the proverbial homeowner who spends all their time tending to a neighbour’s garden, leaving their own backyard to choke with weeds. In fact, it wasn’t hard to imagine that the money that has led to the mushrooming of flea markets has come from the toils of our miners.
Sadly, if only the phenomenon of flea markets was isolated to Gweru perhaps our dire predictions of the economic path we have chosen would have been tempered by the knowledge that elsewhere we are putting our bread where our mouths are. But alas, news coming from the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair indicates that, we are becoming a nation of flea markets.
Apparently most of the exhibition stands that were taken up at the just ended trade fair were by traders keen on making a quick buck at our premier trade showcase. They came with all kinds of wares, clothes, jewellery and machinery and totally determined that their products find buyers during the fair and afterwards.
As tempting as it is to blame the City Fathers of Gweru and trade fair organisers, the truth of the matter is that, the flea market explosion is a symptom of a larger economic problem. Our economic policy architects have simply refused to accept the reality that unless and until we begin to actively support our local industry and being less concerned about labels of protectionism, we are doomed to fail.
To illustrate the point, a week ago we had a visit by one of the few remaining manufacturers of freezers on our continent, who happen not only to be Zimbabwean but have spent all their time seeking to demonstrate that one can build a competitive company in this country. This particular manufacturer endured the pains of our country’s economic hardships and sincerely believed that with the onset of the global political agreement, his fortunes would change for the better.
He also thought that years of struggle on behalf of the mother country, and choice in remaining operational when other companies closed shop and relocated to neighbouring countries would be rewarded.
The manufacturer also counted himself among the patriotic sons of Zimbabwe, who inasmuch as they felt certain economic policies could have been better managed, was willing to accept the reality of starting afresh without a penny in their bank accounts.
What they cannot understand is why Government has conveniently chosen to ignore their plight and easily accepted the argument that local companies are less competitive when it is evident to all that the playing field is skewed. To make matters worse, the manufacturer observes some of leading makers of beverages deliberately import freezers into the local market and are doing nothing to safeguard the interests of the local industry.
Rightfully so, our manufacturer wonders why even those companies that benefit the most from the retention of the dollar would engage in activities that amount to undermining their own profitability.
Such is the dilemma that we face as a country, exploding flea markets that are increasingly taking hard-earned money to foreign lands and promoting poverty as well as a few successful companies not doing enough to retain money in our country.
In discussion with policymakers, the question invariably becomes what are the solutions that are available to us? Our view is that we should take a deliberate stand as a country that we are the determinants of our future.
We must also make Government accountable for those of its actions that worsen our lot. We also must institute measures and programmes that reward companies that procure locally while instituting heavy penalties upon activities that promote poverty.
As Buy Zimbabwe we have also taken it upon ourselves to begin an awards programme that recognise in tangible and material ways companies that procure local goods and services. We hope the forthcoming Buy Zimbabwe Local Procurement Conference set for June will discuss and work out modalities of identifying public and private organisations that take an active interest in the development of the local economy and local businessperson. By year end we also believe we would have put in place a procurement index to track local procurement practice and accord points to companies that are taking a lead in that area.
A name and shame programme would naturally accompany the proposed initiative. While we accept that these actions may appear piece meal in a country where the public procurement process is highly corrupt and there is tendency to speak more and do less, over time, these actions will create conditions for a policy framework that ensures that we are a country that is motivated by building long term success.
Till next week, please be reminded to begin booking for the Buy Zimbabwe Procurement Conference. God bless and always remember Buying Zimbabwe is the right thing to do.
Email: vandudzai@ buyzimbabwe.co.zw; cell: +263773751878
Online Reporter