Chitambo makes a presentation during the Youth in Business consultative forum

Stephen Ephraem

Chipinge youth are complaining about the lack of funding for their businesses start-ups, with many saying their ideas and efforts are not being complemented.
This came out at a Youth in Business consultative forum that was organised by The Ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation in Chipinge last Thursday.
The meeting was facilitated by Cletus Potsekai and Atanas Matambandini, who are both from the host ministry’s district offices.
The youth from various wards of Chipinge bemoaned the lack of support in the form of non-collateral loans and grants for those who are not yet established in business.
They also said they would be in a better position to thrive if they are given special consideration in the allocation of residential and commercial stands.
They called for the establishment of youth centres and digital business platforms as well as training in financial management and greater access to vocational training centres for young people in all constituencies.
In response, Mike Mudodo of Chipinge Rural District Council (RDC) encouraged the youth to apply for land like every other citizen of Zimbabwe.
“Shun illegal settlements, participate in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programmes and you will see diseases like cholera disappearing from your communities,” said Mudodo.
Ministry of Industry and Commerce Chipinge district business development officer, Ivy Katawa challenged the youth to register their business before talking of funding.
“Financiers give preference to registered entities that have a clear vision and has the potential to grow. A business that has a clear cash flow forecast can easily attract financiers,” said Chitambo.
Isau Woyo from the Department of Agritex whose mandate is food and nutrition security urged the youth to get technical advice.
“Chipinge is doing well in maize and beef production but it requires youth in business to work with our department in order to maximise yield,” said Woyo.
Gabriel Jaji from the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development warned youth to desist from the practice of failing to repay government loans.
“Youth must practice financial discipline and be ready to repay loans. We only approve funding for projects that are realistic and bankable. One should have a ready market before submitting a project proposal,” said Jaji.

Hillthru Enterprises director Mazarire and some of his staff members at the awards ceremony

TellZim Reporter

“There are no limits to what you can accomplish, except limits you place on your own thinking,” said Hillthru Enterprises boss Taguma Benjaman Mazarire after being named the Megafest Best Provincial Businessperson of the Year.
Hillthru Enterprises, a successful microfinance institution headquartered in Masvingo Urban, has managed to spread its wings across the country with 18 branches.
Under the able leadership of Mazarire, Hillthru Enterprises has managed to be an all-weather friend to civil servants by granting them loans at affordable and favorable rates.
For his unparalleled business acumen, Megafest Holdings, the custodians of the Megafest Business Awards, crowned Mazarire with the colourful title.
Mazarire managed to shrug off competition from N. Richards Group southern region director, Andrew Chekani who was named first runner up.
The business mogul also has footprints in mining, agriculture, education, politics, philanthropy and retail across the province and beyond.
Mazarire expressed gratitude for the accolade bestowed upon him, saying he took it to be a special recognition for his resilience in providing services despite the difficult economic conditions.
“It comes as a great honor to me and my company. I never thought our work could be impacting the lives of so many people.
“We thrive as the best money lending institution in the country and by the ways things are going, we can confidently say the future is ours.
“I would not have done it without the support of my staff and I would like to thank them unreservedly for working towards the organisational vision,” said Mazarire.
As the country moves towards devolution to provinces, business people like Mazarire, among others, carry the province’s hopes of achieving the upper middle income economy by 2030.

Prof Amon Murwira and Minister Ezra Chadzamira at the event

… says RBZ is empty

Upenyu Chaota

The Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Professor Amon Murwira has endorsed the controversial two percent tax per every electronically-transacted dollar as recently pronounced by his Finance counterpart Professor Mthuli Ncube, likening the country’s dire economic situation to a canoe that everybody had to paddle.
Speaking at a local business forum held in Masvingo on Monday, Murwira said the country was in a serious crisis, adding it would take a collective approach to resuscitate it back to its glory days.
“Zimbabwe is like a canoe and everyone should paddle so that we stay afloat. We cannot sink because of one person (who does not want to pay the tax) and we each have to play our part.
“The country is a helpless being and if you sleep it also sleeps. The reason why many people cried because of the two percent tax is because they have not been contributing towards nation-building.
“We need all hands on deck and the two percent tax is part of the measures to make this country get back onto its feet. You cannot demand good services when you are not paying,” said Murwira.
Murwira said tax should not be an issue of debate as is being done in the country saying other countries world over were doing it.
“In countries like Germany, failing to pay tax is a serious crime which can get you locked up for a long time. Many people have not been paying their taxes and there is no room for that in the new dispensation,” said Murwira.
He challenged the business community to be export-oriented so that they could bring in the much-needed foreign currency since the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) was literally empty.
“The RBZ is empty and you find people queuing for forex which they did not deposit. Where do you expect the bank to get the forex from if you are not bringing it in?
“We need businesses to be export-oriented and target those outside markets. We do not want the situation where people get into the business of selling money like what we are experiencing across the country,” said Murwira.
The controversial two percent tax has drawn scorn from various sectors of the economy even within the ruling party where Ncube is accused of not consulting.
Main opposition MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa has come out guns blazing saying the tax was not only illegal but pure daylight robbery.