Zimpapers Logo

WE know the column as “Are Investments Sexy?” and now newly branded Financial Freedom (The Real Deal). The weekly column seeks to stir strong emotional debate for a better financial well being for the individual, country and continent as we believe “So as man thinketh so s/he shall be”. We believe as we debate, some solutions will come out of this and increase our understanding of financial matters and thus prescribe relevant solutions for the betterment of our communities.

It’s a column that will look at the non-conventional thinking in the areas of economic freedom.

As a people we explore, dream and discover the financial freedom path, we learn and grow and in the process we cement our quest for financial freedom.

Everything is initially conceived as a thought.

Let’s start our debate on the new heading with the following discussion on Bulawayo as the topic says: “Byo’s 5 O’clock syndrome”.

There is a disease that has affected Bulawayo for years and has become detrimental to the economic side of things in the city. At exactly five bells all shops close and people are all tracking out of cash.

Networks are congested, fuel service stations not opened, learning institutions don’t teach after 5PM. Vendors’ stalls are not manned, farmers have turned off their irrigation pipes and Bosso (Highlanders Football Club) matches finish around that time. Everyone is glued to their television sets waiting for some South African soapie or movie to commence.

Then we ask why the Bulawayo economy is dead? No one is participating at all. During weekends Bulawayo resembles a ghost town, deserted streets exhibiting dirt from street vendors and patrons from the thinly attended night clubs. Even where there is a night function, you are assured it would have finished at 10PM.

A city as big as Bulawayo cannot afford to sleep this early as it won’t generate any revenue at all. A well oiled economy doesn’t sleep at all.

This is so because people work between 8AM and 5PM.

If they head straight home at 5PM then when are they spending their monies?

An economy is an economy because its subjects are spending, that is; monies are circulating among its subjects freely. Once spending is curtailed then the economy grinds to a halt.

Your economy is your spending habits.

We do appreciate things are a bit rough and tough but without even responsible spending it makes it even worse as the economy would not grow and there won’t be anything to trade about as there won’t be any buyers even on the informal market.

The level of spending being experienced by the Bulawayo economy could lead to comatose shocks conditions, which would take long to remedy.

Food for thought for Bulawayo and its surrounding areas.

If you live in Bulawayo please save water.

If you live in Zimbabwe please use electricity wisely.

If you live on planet Earth please preserve the environment.

For any issues for discussion or questions that need elucidation please send them to [email protected] or [email protected] or on our Facebook page/Twitter or just give us a call. MoB Capital Pvt Limited is a micro-finance institution specialising in micro-lending, micro-insurance and advisory services. All products and services are tailor made to the client’s requirements. There is no one-size-fits-all.

It’s a ONE STOP SHOP for financial solutions.