By Moses Charedzera
Buy Zimbabwe founder, Munyaradzi Hwengwere has bounced back as chairperson of the organisation after relinquishing his post last year. Hwengwere’s return comes after his successor Dr Anxious Masuka left Buy Zimbabwe following his appointment as the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement.
Speaking to Great Dyke News24, Hwengwere said they are now focusing on re-energising the campaign to produce and buy local products.
“Buy Zimbabwe it’s not just an organisation, it’s a story of love, love for oneself, love for your product, love for your aspirations, love for your success and we need to work together. We are particularly delighted that we have to reinvigorate this campaign given the fact that government has for the first time since we launched Buy Zimbabwe ten years ago said they will support us.
“But without the stories being told of what makes Zimbabwe what it is- the Zimbabwean brands, the challenges and the opportunities, Buy Zimbabwe will remain a talk show. We hope we can move on this journey as Buy Zimbabwe with our partners in the industry, consumers and government to ensure that we create jobs, wealth and pride,” he said.
Hwengwere also said Buy Zimbabwe is working to foster strong linkages with local and international markets and to position Zimbabwean brands as the products of choice.
“If you believe that Zimbabwean products that are available are not good, there is an opportunity to create new ones that are competitive. Right now, there are some Zimbabwean products that are competitive that are selling well.
“We want people to be proud of themselves. We are going to build a strong link to markets locally and internationally. We also want to focus on database management and of course storytelling. We are driven by the desire to ensure that everyone young and old will know about Zimbabwean brands and Zimbabwean products and when they get in the shops the first instinct is to look out for a Zimbabwean product and to buy it,” said the buy Zimbabwe chairman.
Finance minister Mthuli Ncube in the 2021 budget statement indicated for the first time that Buy Zimbabwe will receive support from the fiscus in a move welcomed by advocates of the buy local campaign.
Buying local products creates and protects local jobs while reducing the import bill and saving the much needed foreign currency.
