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Peter Matika,[email protected]

FOR Mr Gift Mpofu his greatest achievement was to establish a business that would empower not just him and his family but that of the greater community of Bulawayo.

Mr Mpofu (51) said he witnessed the struggle of indigenous people to establish companies while living in a colonised country.

He said opportunities before independence were scarce, and his dream seemed far-fetched.

Despite the hurdles Mr Mpofu never gave up hope and continued to dream and work towards attaining his goal of one day being a business owner.

44 years after Zimbabwe attained Independence Mr Mpofu’s dream has come true and is the proud owner of a clothing and uniform shop, saloon and spares shop in Bulawayo.

“I started as a singer with the group Imbizo with Jeys Marabini before I broke away to start my business. I always had a knack for sewing and that is how my story began. It was in 1996 when I left Zimbabwe for South Africa with the hope of one day returning to the country to establish my own retail business. I set a deadline of 10 years and indeed I lived up to that expectation,” said Mr Mpofu.

He said he returned to Zimbabwe in 2014 to establish his company known as Touch Clothing and Uniforms.

“After having spent a decade in South Africa I returned to create my empire. I knew there were hurdles and obstacles to be faced but none comparable to what black people endured before independence.”

“Owning a business in those times was not easy. Many people faced countless hurdles, from dealing with the colonial authorities to competing with established businesses,” said Mr Mpofu.

He said the few black people that had businesses were affiliated with certain societal and political quos.

On his return in 2014 and with determination and savings from South Africa he managed to set up the trading company.

His passion and perseverance kept him going. He worked tirelessly, establishing relationships with customers and suppliers, and slowly but steadily, his business began to thrive.

“Over the years of cultivating the clothing and uniforms shop, it grew into a successful enterprise. I have become a respected figure in the community and a symbol of hope for many aspiring entrepreneurs. My journey from a humble singer to a successful business owner has inspired others to pursue their dreams, despite the challenges they face today,” said Mr Mpofu.

He has established a saloon in the CBD and a spares shop in Cowdray Park.

“This is to ensure that all businesses are balanced financially. These are all viable business enterprises. The saloon was established in 2023, while the spares shop was established this year. I decided to spread my wings to Cowdray Park because it is a developing suburb, which will turn into a city soon.  The aim of establishing all these enterprises is also to create employment and empower one another,” said Mr Mpofu.

He said even after establishing his business in 2014 he faced many hurdles but ever since the ushering of the Second Republic business was sailing smoothly and was opening more windows.

“Running a business in the past government was a nightmare, as compared to today. We can trade and conduct our business freely,” said Mr Mpofu.