GWERU Urban MP Sesel Zvidzai has revealed plans to launch the Gweru Industry Revival Initiative (Giri) aimed at the resuscitation of major companies that used to anchor the city’s economy and employ thousands of people.
STEPHEN CHADENGA OWN CORRESPONDENT
Zvidzai, who is a founding member of Giri, said the launch was set for September despite the economy continuing to perform poorly. “Things are slow but certainly happening. These are times for quiet work. I think if all goes according to plan, we should launch sometime in September,” Zvidzai said.
Companies that used to be the backbone of Gweru’s economy such as Zimbabwe Alloys, Radar Castings, Zimcast, Anchor Yeast, Bata and Kariba Batteries have either closed shop, scaled down operations or are on the verge of collapse.
Bata Shoe company, which used to employ 5 000 people, is now a shadow of its former self and now has 1 500 employees after downsizing.
Zvidzai said the Giri initiative was blind to politics and meant at improving the livelihoods of the people of Gweru.
“It is an initiative that is predicated on a need to make sure that the people get reasonable livelihoods and also that manufacturing becomes the vehicle for value creation . . . what they (in Zanu PF) refer to as beneficiation in their ZimAsset document.
“We can only create employment if we revive industry and add new ones.
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“This initiative is therefore totally blind to politics and every Gweru resident should support this on the basis of its nobility,” Zvidzai said some company owners were co-operative and backed the initiative.
“At this stage, we want to remain a bit quiet about the progress we are making,” he added.
