Tendai Matunhu
Zimbabwe is on an economic recovery path following the re-opening of industries that are now manufacturing own local products.
This is in contrast to a recent article in a local daily titled ‘Musina feels effects of Zimbabwe economic slump.’
In the article businesses in Musina were said to have indicated that they were no longer profiteering due to the economic problems in Zimbabwe. That is, however, not the case in Zimbabwe as several citizens who were interviewed by the Harare Post said otherwise.
Melody Moyo, a cross border trader said the main reason why they had scaled down on cross border trading is because of the tight security that is now at the Beitbridge border post.
“Taimbogara tiri paMussina nekuti zvaisambotinetsa kungotenga wopa Malaicha zvinhu and they would smuggle our goods to Zimbabwe, hapana duty rataibhadhara, asi ikozvino ah the security is too tight. My business partners and I lost lots of goods after ZIMRA and other security officers at the boarder confiscated my goods due to non-payment of duty.
“I only cross when I am sure I have the money to pay for the duty. Security is now too tight at the border there, besides I realised that I can buy locally and resale and make better profit,” she said.
An economic analyst, Tinotenda Katsinde highlighted that it was not that Zimbabwe’s economy is in trouble, but rather it was a sign that the country is now standing on its feet.
“I am most grateful to the new dispensation because it is working hard to ensure that Zimbabwe gets back on its own feet. Our supermarkets are now being stocked with locally produced goods; very few imported goods. There is Pure drop cooking oil from Surface Wilmar which is the largest cooking oil manufacturer in Southern Africa and Zimgold cooking oil both locally produced. There is Grain Marketing Board (GMB) which has about nine products under the Silo brand including mealie meal, salt, ground coffee and rice.
"Not only that, but Zimbabwe’s industry is now being resuscitated with the likes of Anglo America which opened up its first platinum smelter at Unki mine in Shurugwi recently and very soon ZimCoke plant is set to revive the coke and coking coal industry soon. The list is endless,” he said.
Katsinde also said, “Not only are these companies big and set to contribute to Zimbabwe’s economy, but will be creating employment for the Zimbabwean people. Why then would people leave their country where business is being opened with a bright future ahead of them.”
“Last week’s 2019 Agricultural Dealers and Manufacturers Association (ADMA) Agrishow which had over 170 local exhibitors showed just how well resourced Zimbabwe is and that Zimbabwe will surely be back at the top when it comes to agriculture and locally producing its own products with the mining industry coming up slowly as well.”
