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Part of the Buy Zimbabwe schools campaign exhibitors and pupils at Coghlan Primary School yesterday

Charity Ruzvidzo Business Reporter
BULAWAYO companies have joined hands with lobby group Buy Zimbabwe to extend outreach campaign on the importance of buying locally manufactured products to pupils in schools.

The programme comes on the backdrop of concerns over the dominance of imports, which have been blamed for frustrating growth of local firms.

Latest statistics indicate that the country opened 2015 with a negative $271 million trade balance for last month alone due to a high influx of imports.

Yesterday the group’s southern region branch in partnership with Innotec and representatives from six local firms, held a three-hour sensitisation seminar at Coghlan Primary School.

The meeting is part of a 28-day campaign that began in the city on Friday under the theme “Consumption Today — Employment Tomorrow.”

Simbarashe Nyaruwata, a Lobels sales representative who attended the meeting, said the campaign was a good opportunity for children to appreciate local brands.

“This platform offers first hand interaction between product manufacturers and children. Children will get an opportunity to learn the advantages that come along with buying locally manufactured products,” he said.

Dairibord sales representative, Arthur Mutota, said local companies must work together in achieving the goals of Buy Zimbabwe.

“The campaigns by Buy Zimbabwe are meant to educate people on the importance of consuming local products. This one, for instance, we’re “catching them young. These children will in future influence the buying decisions.

“However, for this campaign to succeed, local companies must work together. They must mobilise resources for these campaigns to ensure they achieve their intended purpose,” said Mutota.

Rejoice Zulu, a marketing officer at Tanganda, said targeting children was very important since exposure at a tender age influences future decisions.

“Teaching a primary school pupil about Buy Zimbabwe is very important. These children rarely forget what they’re taught, the ideas and behaviours they’re exposed to at a tender age influences their future decisions,” she said.

Eversharp company sales representatives also commended Buy Zimbabwe for the initiative.

“Young children have the potential to influence the buying decisions of their parents. The results of these campaigns may not be immediate but in the long run we will get results,” said Cable Sithole.

Innotec spokesperson, Sehlule Ncube, said targeting school children was influenced by the outcome of their previous community campaign.

“The Buy Zimbabwe campaign we held in November last year yielded great results. We had companies like Cairns recording increased sales after the campaign. We hope this one will also see local companies increasing sales,” she said.