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attendance that was cross-cutting.
All stakeholders agreed that we must forge a united front and go beyond words, to enhance the production and consumption of our local goods and services.
The synergies forged by the Buy Zimbabwe team and the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce could not have illustrated any better resolve by the Zimbabwean business community to open a new chapter.
Bankers that on a day to day basis compete were seated next to each other. It was the new kid on the block TN Bank next to Kingdom bank.
Mr Tim Chiganze of Interfin was there too. The policy side was also well represented and led by Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Cde Mike Bimha, who spent 20 years as a business leader. The presentations by CZI president Joseph Kanyekanye and IDC Chief Mike Ndudzo clearly amplified the imperative of getting on with it.
The time to talk while admiring the success of the Proudly South African initiative is surely gone.
The linkage with CEO Roundtable resolution for a $100 billion dollar economy by 2030 was ably articulated.
After all why try to emulate a noble cause that already has the endorsement of Government through various ministries and led Vice President Joice Mujuru. Mr Kenias Mafukidze an architect of the CEO roundtable was clear that Buy Zimbabwe campaign needs these synergies and practicalities.
Visiting Guest speaker from South Africa Ms Yvonne Johnston’s was clear that the Buy Zimbabwe Campaign can only be driven by Zimbabweans and that South Africans have little interest in promoting foreign economies.
She was candid in stating that South African corporates had not only chosen to pour over R60 million per year to support the Proudly South African campaign for no reason but self interest and survival. When we look back now they have dominance over their local economy and have significant inroads into export market.
In the spirit of Going Beyond Words, Zimra Commissioner General Mr Gershem Pasi set the ball rolling by advising the conference of the appointment of a liaison person to work with the buy Zimbabwe team.
To his credit he understood a number of policy contradictions being managed by his organisation such as corruption, smuggling, and a raft of challenges that make it difficult to meet and exceed revenue targets.
Buy Zimbabwe is thus a matter of survival for Zimra, all taxpayers and the country as a whole.
IDC general manager Mr Mike Ndudzo plea for the understanding of benefit of Buying Zimbabwean quality goods and services needs an article of its own. When he spoke of a locally made car, its global competitiveness, and its downstream beneficiation, for paint makers, battery makers, toolmakers and etc, surely one understood the subject.
But from that to realise as well that our production capacity has slumped from a high of 12 000 cars per month to 1 000 is surely heartbreaking.
But not all would have gone well. For me the most worrisome was the general absence at the conference of representation from the retail sector.
In a previous contribution I mentioned that 65 percent of shelf space in Zimbabwe’s retail outlets is allocated to foreign products.
Supa Mandawanzira of the Affirmative Action Group said in some chain stores the figure is much higher as they now import sandwiches.
Curiously the Buy Zimbabwe conference coincided with the launch of Ok mart, (previously Makro).
I sensed a lot of consternation by local producers who gathered at the launch of the huge shop. Most of the shelf space seemed taken by South African products.
While knee jack reaction is surely tempting my restraint says the Buy Zimbabwe campaign should assure retailers that all parties stand to benefit by working in unison.
I know for a fact that Innscor, which is a major retailer has expressed an interest in being part of the campaign.
OK Zimbabwe chief executive Mr Willard Zireva, is pretty much aware of the issues and the positive role retailers can play.
We just need to GO BEYOND WORDS.
In her speech at the conference, the Chairperson of the Buy Zimbabwe Campaign Mrs Grace Muradzikwa said that “What is clear though is that the basis of this Buy Zimbabwe campaign is a cross border initiative that wasn’t created to encourage an insular and close minded.
“Some would say protectionist business culture but rather enhance an awareness that for our countries to compete effectively and be proud citizens of a competitive regional and global community, we had to start with local economies.”
The question often answered is if the Buy Zimbabwe is a campaign what are the other activities beyond the conference that will ensure its sustainability?
The following will benefit consumers, producers, government and the campaign itself:
A buy Zimbabwe membership
Buy Zimbabwe week
National Retail Audits
“Buy Zimbabwe” econometric surveys
Buying Zimbabwe Certification
Annual “Buy Zimbabwe” Conference and Exhibition
Corporate Social Investments
The campaign which owes its basis to the reality show, My Own Boss and is now run under, a private entity, My Own Boss Ventures, chaired by Mrs Muradzikwa with managerial support of Mr Munyaradzi Hwengwere has its work cut out.
Hats off too, to TN Holdings chief executive Mr Tawanda Nyambirai who came in as mentor of the show has continued to support projects that arose from the entrepreneurship exercise.
As stated by Mrs Muradzikwa is her opening remarks the demand by the youths that we work to ensure that we have a campaign with the aim of encouraging the two countries to enhance the production and consumption of their local goods and services inspired the conception of the campaign.
l For comments and contribution contact Buy Zimbabwe at:22 Broadlands Road
Mount Pleasant
Harare
Cell: 0772 869 195/0772 714 233
Email: [email protected]