Online Reporter
Innocent Mujeri-Herald Correspondent
A trend has emerged in Zimbabwe’s business landscape; whenever a company or individual wins a Government or corporate tender, public criticism and blame follow instead of constructive engagement.
Instead of acknowledging the opportunities that exist for all Zimbabweans, many choose to attack the winners rather than take the initiative to participate in the tendering process themselves.
It is time we transform our mindset and recognise that tenders are not secretive deals meant for a select few; they are publicly advertised opportunities open to any business or individual that meets the requirements.
Every day, newspapers, online platforms, and Government gazettes publish tender notices, yet many people ignore them, only to later accuse the system of favouritism when they see someone else securing a contract.
The unfortunate reality is that while tenders are open for competition, too many people do not even attempt to bid. Instead of taking the time to learn how to submit a strong proposal, ensuring compliance with tender requirements, and improving business competitiveness, many resort to complaints and accusations.
This culture of blame must end if we are to empower ourselves economically and take charge of our own financial growth.
What makes this even more frustrating is that the opportunities are there for everyone to see.
A quick glance through newspapers such as The Herald, The Chronicle, and The Sunday Mail shows numerous tender advertisements, yet only a handful of businesses bother to submit applications.
The tenders, range from construction projects to the supply of goods, consultancy services, infrastructure development, and much more.
However, despite this broad scope of opportunities, participation remains low.
This lack of engagement has led to the dominance of a few companies that have taken the time to understand and take advantage of the process.
Unfortunately, instead of learning from those who have successfully won tenders, many choose to attack them, spreading unfounded allegations that only a select few are awarded contracts.
Winning a tender is not simply a matter of having connections; it requires preparation, compliance, and a well-structured bid proposal.
Many businesses that win tenders do so because they are consistent in monitoring notices, ensuring they meet the legal and financial requirements, pricing their bids competitively, and submitting professional proposals that align with tender specifications.
Rather than being discouraged by the success of others, Zimbabweans should see this as a learning opportunity. Instead of complaining, they should ask themselves what these companies do right, how they structured their bids and what they can do to compete effectively.
Government has made efforts to ensure that tenders are awarded transparently through the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ).
Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube has repeatedly emphasised that tenders are meant to be inclusive and open to all Zimbabweans who meet the requirements.
He has also encouraged businesses to be proactive in applying for these opportunities rather than waiting on the sidelines and later complaining about who won.
This statement alone should be enough to encourage every business owner to take an active role in securing tenders rather than wasting energy criticising those who take the initiative.
What Zimbabwe truly needs is a shift of mindset.
People must realise that economic empowerment will not be handed to them; they must seize it themselves.
It is not enough to sit back and hope that opportunities will fall into place without putting in the necessary effort.
Those who win tenders often do so because they have invested time in understanding the process and preparing properly.
Instead of criticising, people should start familiarising themselves with tender application procedures, networking with procurement officials, and seeking training on how to improve their chances of winning contracts.
Unfortunately, the habit of vilifying successful bidders has created a toxic business environment that discourages entrepreneurship.
When businesses that secure tenders are constantly attacked, it sends a negative message to aspiring entrepreneurs who may want to participate in the system.
This, in turn, reduces competition and limits economic opportunities for many.
If more Zimbabweans actively participated in tendering, it would not only increase the number of businesses benefiting from public procurement but would also lead to better service delivery, improved infrastructure, job creation, and overall economic growth.
It is time to move away from a culture of blame and adopt a culture of action.
Zimbabweans must understand that economic success does not come from complaining about others but from taking action.
The opportunities exist, and they are open to everyone who qualifies.
The question is are we willing to step up and compete? If you own a business, now is the time to start preparing to bid for tenders.
If you lack knowledge about the process, educate yourself. If you fail once, try again. The most successful entrepreneurs did not start by blaming others—they took charge of their own opportunities and made things happen.
The next time you see a company winning a tender, instead of attacking them, ask yourself what you can do to be the next winner.
Success comes from effort, knowledge, and participation—not from tearing others down.
The playing field is open, and Zimbabweans must step up and claim their place in the country’s economic future.
