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to become a business person of note in the asbestos mining town.

The 34-year-old businessman’s spectacular rise saw him become arguably the richest and most famous young man in Zvishavane.
Mr Pote entered the business world at the tender age of 16 at a time when most people of his age were still asking for pocket money from their parents.
Not many people expected one so young to think of investing.
Mr Pote urged other young blood to pursue their God given talents.
“A gentleman is shaped at a very tender age and then grows to become one. We have to catch them (the youth) young and impart entrepreneurial skills to them, for our country to develop,” he said.
Hard work and sweat has seen the ambitious Zvishavane businessman’s empire grow in leaps and bounds.
Mr Pote now owns a number of businesses around Zvishavane town which include Pote Supermarkets, Hardware General Dealers in the town’s high density suburbs of Mandava and Makwasha.
He also owns a haulage transport company, Pote Transport which has a number of good and reliable trucks.
The trucks are often hired by non-governmental organizations and other local business people.
They operate from Zimbabwe to places as far as South Africa.
“My transport company was established to help other business people who often face challenges to transport their goods. Our charges are affordable.
“We give first preference to local companies. We have four haulage trucks,” he said.
Mr Pote said he has a vision of expanding his transport operations to other countries within the SADC region.
“We are calling upon big local mining companies like Mimosa mine, Zimasco, Unki mine to utilise our transport services,” he said.
Mr Pote also owns a wholesale which provides all basic and other commodities to Zvishavane community and the surrounding areas at affordable prices.
“We are calling on all hotels, schools, hospitals, companies and the business community to come and buy groceries at wholesale prices.
“We also offer credit facility so do not hesitate to knock on our door and discuss with us. We complement our top drawer facility service with a friendly staff that is always ready to serve you,” he said.
Pote Holdings has modern, well designed and well stocked supermarkets that are located in areas with spacious parking areas and convenient shopping hours.
The holding company also has some departmental stores that include hardware, delicatessen, butchery and stationery outlets.
“We offer a variety of services. Our commodities are 90 percent local,” he said.
Pote Holdings also sell electrical gadgets like stoves, fans and other small electrical gadgets at reasonable prices.
They are well known for providing the town’s freshest vegetables and fruits.
Mr Pote’s shops are among the most reliable outlets in Zvishavane when it comes to basic school items like satchels, travelling bags and stationery.
The trading company has also something in store for farmers that include seed maize, pesticides, and ox-drawn ploughs as well as chicken feed.
They also sell kitchenware products from Kango .
“We also sell building material that include, paints, cement among other basic building materials. We have the capacity to supply all big companies and mining companies with their building materials.
“We also offer transport facility to our customers. Our shops cater for all social classes, including the underprivileged and the middle class. We always thrive to improve the well-being of the less privileged members of our society,” he said.
Pote holdings’ major markets are in Shurugwi, Mberengwa, Masvingo, Gweru Filabusi and Gwanda.
“We open seven days a week,” said Mr Pote.
The company employs 170 people.
l See also story on Page 7.