tawandamusarurwa
Roselyne Sachiti
Assistant Editor
ON Tuesday, April 18, Zimbabweans celebrate the country’s 43rd independence anniversary.
It is unquestionable that independence brought many positives for the local folk.
Previously marginalised groups, including women, were empowered, and access to education and business opportunities by the black majority, who did not enjoy such privileges under white minority rule, became a reality.
Black Zimbabweans, who had a knack for business, finally had the opportunity to realise their dreams through enabling Government policies.
This year’s Uhuru celebrations, running under the theme “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo”, are a reflection of the far-reaching transformation, development and empowerment the local people have undergone over the years.
Nyaradzo Group chief executive officer Mr Philip Mataranyika is one businessman whose adventurous entrepreneurial spirit has inspired many and created employment for over 1 500 Zimbabweans.
He has built his business from the ground up, and it has since expanded beyond the country’s borders, helping project the country’s brand as far as Europe.
Speaking to The Sunday Mail, Mr Mataranyika said prior to independence, black entrepreneurs faced significant barriers in their bid to enter the business world.
“Discrimination and lack of access to funding and resources made it difficult for us to start and grow businesses.
“Opportunities were not equal in terms of accessing loans from banks and many black entrepreneurs were shut out of the formal banking sector altogether,” he said.
Independence, he said, brought with it a sense of confidence, as well as opportunities, to pursue business ventures without fear of discrimination or persecution.
“Black Zimbabweans were finally able to take control of their own destiny and create businesses that could serve their communities better.
“The previous limitations were an obvious deterrent to those who were keen on embarking on their own entrepreneurial journeys, as opposed to working under someone else,” he said.
“Whilst not everyone is cut out for the business world, independence brought with it the chance for those who wanted to pursue business to give it a go.”
Before independence, blacks found it difficult, if not impossible, to access loans from banks. If anything, many did not have collateral security as they did not own properties.
In independent Zimbabwe, Government’s people-driven economic empowerment policies, which have been enhanced under the Second Republic, have been a game changer for black-owned businesses.
While black Zimbabweans willing to start businesses got their chance, their success also created life-changing upstream and downstream opportunities for the country’s business ecosystem.
Independence, according to Nyaradzo’s CEO, allowed Zimbabwean brands to showcase their products and services on a global scale.
“We are able to participate in international trade shows and exhibitions, and this has helped us to build the Nyaradzo brand locally and expand our reach beyond the borders.
“In Nyaradzo’s case, this has enabled us to establish branches in different countries such as South Africa, the United Kingdom, Malawi and others, which are still work in progress.
“As the world has ultimately become a global village, and we find our fellow Zimbabweans spread across the world, the need to expand has become even more critical.”
And opportunities that have been created after independence have had a multiplier effect through the local business ecosystem.
“As Nyaradzo Group grew, we created more direct jobs and made our fair share of contributions to the fiscus. We also created downstream employment opportunities for contractors building our service centres, all of which helped to stimulate economic growth in communities within which we operate.”
Success stories such as these are also inspiring young entrepreneurs to start successful businesses from the ground up.
They should, however, never give up on their dreams.
“Take advantage of current policies and programmes that are designed to support and promote small businesses. Most importantly, be continuously innovative and creative in your approach to business.
“Rome was certainly not built in a day, and patience will pay off in the long run,” added Mr Mataranyika.
“Do not be sold to microwave solutions and ideas, as these are typically short-lived. It does not always follow that whatever business idea is trending will be a success just because everyone is doing it.
“Pick your path, follow it religiously, learn from the successes and failures of others and always strive to improve and grow.
“With hard work, consistency and determination, anything is possible.”
Since attaining independence in 1980, the Government has spearheaded many people-driven economic empowerment policies, which resulted in the emergence of prominent black businesspeople such as Zacharia Chigumira; Strive Masiyiwa; Ben Mucheche; Kenneth Marechera; Micah Bhebhe; Adrian Mwamuka; Eddies Pfugari; Philemon Murambiwa, also known as Machipisa; and Denis Makomva, among many other trailblazers.
They paved the way for others to follow.
Twitter: @RoselyneSachiti
Tinaye Agere
Online Reporter