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Oliver Kazunga Senior Business Reporter
BULAWAYO-based entrepreneur Samuel Mwazha doesn’t view Zimbabwe’s economic challenges as a stumbling block but as an opportunity.

In February 2015 the mechanic took up the challenge by establishing Valtor Motors, a motor vehicle service company that he says derives its strength to survive through offering affordable service and maintaining quality standards.

“Valtor Motors was established in 2015 and what motivated me to form the company was my background and the experience that I obtained from Dulys Motors, for which l worked for 26 years from 1989,” said Mwazha in an interview with Business Chronicle.

“I started the company without any venture capital. Using my experience in motor mechanics, I felt challenged to start my own business.”

Situated at Number 16 Liverpool Road in Belmont Industrial Site, Valtor Motors offers different services ranging from light and heavy vehicle servicing, engine overhauls and major repairs on different types of cars.

Mwazha did his apprenticeship at the District Development Fund in Masvingo between 1984 and 1988.

“Upon finishing my apprenticeship, I had a year’s stint with Nissan Zimbabwe in Harare, before joining Dulys, where I worked as a technician and rose through the ranks to service manager, a position I held for 14 years at the company’s workshops in Gweru, Harare and Bulawayo,” he recalled.

Mwazha holds management qualifications that include an executive Diploma in Business Leadership from the Zimbabwe Institute of Management, as well as an executive Masters Degree in Business Administration from Midlands State University, among other qualifications in business leadership.

A versatile and assertive team leader with 30 years experience in the motor industry, he has also been engaged by some local companies for customer care consultancy.

“We also do Cummins engines and overhauls for individuals and large companies. Last year, we did Cummins engines and overhauls for organisations,” said Mwazha.

“Some of our major customers are corporate organisations who came on board because we’re compliant in every respect.”

Although a number of companies have scaled down operations in Bulawayo due to the prevailing economic climate, Mwazha said he was challenged to set up a business anchored on affordable service, maintaining quality without cutting corners.

In the past few years, more than 100 companies have shut down in Bulawayo throwing over 20,000 people onto the streets.

Surviving businesses also continue to face operational constraints emanating from liquidity constraints and intermittent power supplies.

“Business in Bulawayo is low, but you can have a fair share if you have quality. Some companies have failed to maintain operations under the prevailing economic environment. However, due to its geographical location Bulawayo offers vast opportunities for everyone to do at least something,” he said.

Mwazha believes business leaders and entrepreneurs should always strive to look for opportunities and improve on the quality of goods and services that they offer.

“They must always look for opportunities and if they can identify an opportunity, they can make a difference,” he said.

Valtor Motors employs seven people, among them technicians, a foreman, sales advisors and an accountant. Mwazha said Valtor Motors looks forward to expanding operations by opening new branches in cities such as Harare and Gweru.