adminIn an interview, Masvingo-based Image Experts Studio director Mr Thabani Gumbo said it was high time for youths in the country to have a paradigm shift and stop being perennial job seekers when they could be their own employers through the indigenisation and economic empowerment programmes that the Government has launched.
“I think this tendency of looking for employment after one has completed his or her studies no longer works these days. Many companies are struggling even to pay those workers that they have and to imagine that they will employ more workers would be tantamount to building castles in the air.
“As youths, we should venture into businesses through applying for funds that are given by the banks, specifically for youth projects,” said Mr Gumbo
Government through the Youth Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Ministry has launched an indigenisation and empowerment policy which seeks to capacitate indigenous Zimbabweans, especially youths who are willing to venture into projects. Government has since released funds towards youths empowerment programmes.
Old Mutual has also availed a fund which is managed by its subsidiary, Cabs.
Mr Gumbo said they were some business ventures that youths despised but he was quick to advise them that no business was too small.
“There is this misguided delusion over some type of businesses such as photography. If people see you taking photos they think that you will be doing menial job but let me advise them that what used to be pastime jobs have turned to be highly paying projects. No job is big or small, it is you who can make it so and it needs total commitment. You need to forego other needs for you to be a successful business person,” he said.
Mr Gumbo said his company had established a branch in Mutare and they now catered for the better part of the eastern region.
The company deals with the printing of all photographic materials and they have secured two state-of-the-art digital printing machines which are faster than the machines they were using before.
“We came to Masvingo in 2010 when things were still tough in most industries and we were using outdated machinery but since we procured two digital machines we are enjoying good fortunes and we have signed contracts with a number of companies.”
He said they were looking forward to expand since the environment had proved to be more favourable for business but electricity outages remain a challenge.
“We intend to expand but our efforts towards that are hampered by the erratic supply of power. Electricity is not predictable and at one time our machine broke down as a result of incessant power cuts.
“The power utility should advise us when they intend to switch off because we risk losing our machinery. Lack of industry in Masvingo also affects our viability that we normally depend on weddings and social occasions and individuals,” said the former Dunlop data capturing clerk.
Online Reporter