Story by Fungai Jachi
THE government has reiterated its commitment to creating a favorable environment for small to medium-sized businesses to thrive.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa said this while opening the completed phase one of the Mbare Musika Traders Market Development Project on Friday.
As he officially opened the completed market, President Mnangagwa noted that his recent meeting with vendor representatives at State House provided valuable insights into their needs, reinforcing the government’s hope to see Small to Medium Enterprises grow.
“Be assured that the interests of the people of our great motherland, Zimbabwe, remain at the core of my administration. Two weeks ago, I was pleased to receive, at State House, representatives of Vendors and Tuckshops Associations from across the country. That engagement, among many others, I have had in the recent past, gave me general insights into matters that concern you and the broader Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises sector.
“The government is seized with facilitating an environment where your businesses can thrive for an improved standard of living for all. As you are aware, the unfortunate destructive fire incident that gutted the Mbare Traders Market on October 8, caused substantial damage to stalls and loss of stock for traders here.
“Due to the magnitude of the tragedy, I declared a State of Disaster on 14 October 2024 in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Protection Act. This enabled the government to take direct and responsive measures for the mobilisation of requisite resources for the recovery and reconstruction of this market.
“In the spirit of our development mantra, “Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatirwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe, lakhiwa, libuswe, likhulekelwe ngabanikazi balo,” we further adopted the whole-of-government and society approach. This ensured that urgent requirements of traders affected by the incident were mitigated, while partnerships for reconstruction works were engaged,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said his administration is targeting to realise the Urban Transformation Agenda designed to prioritise safe, inclusive and sustainable cities.
“My administration is determined to see the realisation of the ‘Urban Transformation Agenda’. This programme is designed to primarily focus on addressing rapid urbanisation by prioritising safe, inclusive, resilient and sustainable cities and human settlements, in line with Sustainable Development Goal Number 11,” he said.
Urban renewal and the regularisation of informal settlements being undertaken in the country’s major cities under the scope of the urban transformation agenda are ongoing.
President Mnangagwa praised Masimba Holdings for bringing his vision for the Mbare Musika market to life through a Public-Private Partnership.
“I applaud Masimba Construction and Mkambo Misika Hubs, who partnered government in this project, for their professionalism and work ethic which have ensured the completion of Phase 1 of this Traders Market. Other stakeholders, including the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Mbare Musika Reconstruction along with traders, are commended for their oversight and patience, which has seen us realising this success milestone.
“Well done to you all. All partners to this and future projects are directed to ensure that levies and rentals to such facilities are pegged at competitive and affordable levels. Occupants and customers of the markets are called upon to be responsible custodians of these modern facilities,” he added.
The official opening of phase one of the Mbare Traders Market Development Project also saw President Mnangagwa presenting Trader Lease Agreements and pre-loaded cards for rentals to the youths, persons with disabilities, war veterans and vendors who were affected by the October 2024 fires.
