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Brighton Gumbo Business Reporter
Mealie Brand managing director, Walter Chigwada has been elected Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) Matabeleland Chapter president. Chigwada succeeds Busisa Moyo who was elected CZI national president. He was elected along with Nomathemba Ndlovu, the general manager of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Company as the second vice president with Mpumelelo Mkhwananzi retaining his position as vice president.

“I’m very grateful to be succeeding Moyo who is our outgoing Matabeleland Chapter president, after being elevated to national presidency. Still on the same note, my happiness is far above ordinary considering the big team I’ll be working with. I’m sure we’ll work at our best and curtail the challenges that companies are facing,” said Chigwada.

He expressed confidence in overcoming the challenges facing manufacturing industries. The challenges include high taxation.

“But as a chamber, we’ll work in unity to foster and encourage sustainable growth and development in the manufacturing industry amid the challenges faced,” said Chigwada.

The new CZI Matabeleland Chapter boss said it was possible to overcome the challenges citing the success stories that have come from the construction sector.

“We’ve observed brisk business in the construction industry, which is largely attributed to an increase in the number of government bankable projects,” he said.

The CZI is the apex organisation for industry in Zimbabwe and has been in existence since 1923.

It promotes active business in the country to achieve a minimally regulated business environment, in which development is possible.

The CZI is an independent, self-financed, legally constituted organisation that represents and serves interests of members in a wide array of matters affecting their viability and competitiveness.

It has four regional chamber offices in Mashonaland, Matabeleland, Midlands, and Manicaland provinces, which serve as reference points for industry in international business communities.