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Dr. Solomon Matsa, the President of the Business Economic Empowerment Federation (BEEF) has implored Zimbabweans from all walks of life to take ownership of businesses and drive the economy.
Founded in November 2017 by Zimbabwean business entrepreneurs, BEEF seeks to promote business and economic empowerment of native businesspeople, including citizens in the diaspora.
“As a federation, we are there to complement government efforts in reviving, restoring confidence, and resuscitating the Zimbabwean economy for the next 2o years.
“BEEF will assist members who target the mining, agriculture, manufacturing, and services (procurement, logistics, banking, and insurance), and education, among others,” Dr. Matsa told journalists at a press briefing in Harare yesterday.
BEEF was given the mandate to put together authentic business people who are not represented in government. As it stands, the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) and the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) are run by Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and not the real owners of the businesses.
The BEEF leadership has been moving around the country with Mr. Mike Bimha, the former Minister of Industry and Commerce, talking about indigenization and empowerment.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa was impressed with the BEEF countrywide empowerment crusades that led to conferences in places like Harare, Masvingo, Bulawayo, and Mutare that focused on mining, agriculture, tourism, ICT, procurement, and infrastructure development.
“These conferences contribute to the running and promoting empowerment. Businesspeople should take development as a priority. No one should be left behind. They galvanise knowledge and expertise. So far, we have got recognition from President Mnangagwa. We met the Minister of Industry and commerce who has put us on the African Agenda. I will be going to Malawi to represent Zimbabwe at an empowerment forum in the first week of December,” Dr. Matsa said.
BEEF gives Zimbabweans an opportunity to start businesses without capital. By supporting Zimbabweans to start businesses, locals are forming consortiums working on building roads. In the last three years, locals have proved their potential. Most projects whether housing, roads, mining, or agriculture are being spearheaded by locals in a move that saves the country millions of dollars. Locally-owned companies like Masimba, Fossil, and Exodus are doing fantastic work in the construction of roads.
“In sectors like construction, we do not need foreign investors. We have resources. The government should not buy water or quarries. These are abundant resources so when locals participate in such economic activities, we create security to develop the country on our own. Money should be invested locally. African leaders who externalize resources should be condemned. I applaud President ED Mnangagwa because he considers the development of local citizens of paramount importance.”
Dr. Matsa said the money to pay civil servants should be created by locals and emphasised that Zimbabweans should create wealth through the convergence of government, the private sector, and entrepreneurs.
He said all products in Zimbabwean supermarkets should be locally produced so as to increase production.
Dr. Matsa applauded BEEF affiliates like Vuti Quarries owned by Mr. Jackson Makate, and Tatenda Mungofa’s Mureza Auto, Zimbabwean enterprises doing well at the regional and international level.
The entrepreneur said that procurement is happening every minute in Zimbabwe in institutions and suggested that 80% of procurement in Zimbabwe should be provided by local companies.