Story by Fairstars Mukungurutse
The vendor verification exercise for beneficiaries of the temporary Mbare Musika market is almost complete, with government pledging transparency to ensure deserving beneficiaries get the opportunity to rebuild their businesses.
Under phase 1 of the project, the first batch of traders will soon occupy the newly constructed Mbare Musika market with the verification exercise almost complete.
The Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere, who toured the facility underscored the government’s commitment to supporting the agricultural value chain as the country moves towards the attainment of Vision 2030.
“When we talk of transformation of value chains, we start from the primary industry that is the agricultural sector, which is based on the success of the Land Reform Programme which has ensured that millions of Zimbabweans benefit from the land, plus the Land Tenure System which has securitised the land in terms of ownership and in terms of contributing to the GDP. But of great importance is the ownership of land by Zimbabweans which is part of the revolution that was part of the second Chimurenga whose major thrust was the land question. Through the acquisition that took place in the 2000nds until now, the transfer of ownership of land from government to the citizens of our country will accelerate the direct economic empowerment of citizens, by securitising title deeds. That improves on productivity which is related and feeds into the small and medium scale enterprises there by ensuring tobacco farmers, horticultural experts, those involved in cereal production are part of an economy, and they are also part of the transformation of the value chain.
“All the products that are being produced in the farms find their way into the markets and this engineering marvel that is Mbare Musika becomes a yardstick for us to measure our capacity as a people to produce, distribute and market. This becomes part of a platform which supports the economic empowerment efforts by His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa by providing platforms for small and medium scale enterprises which is part of Vision 2030, which looks at an upper-middle-income society by the year 2030. We also thank Masimba Holdings for working with the government in the construction of such projects. We must keep on working together, for the responsibility to develop our country is a Zimbabwean responsibility, it is a collective responsibility,” he said.
Government has also pledged transparency in the allocation of trading space.
Minister of Women Affairs, Community Small and Medium Enterprises Development Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said, “It is worth reminding each other that for an orderly allocation of space to traders, we need more not less cooperation, solidarity, honesty and transparency. Self-aggrandisement and enrichment at the cost of others will ruin the process of modernising Mbare Musika. The task ahead needs all hands on the deck and you can count on our cooperation and support to restore your businesses back to the original position. The Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises assures all traders whose businesses were affected that you are not alone.”
“We want to ensure transparency. No one is allowed to impose beneficiaries. There are some who were demanding deposit fees, don’t be duped by criminals. You will work together with Masimba Holdings, and all your wares will be secured. When they say resolution number one, this is the implementation, we are now implementing it. We are doing the work now ,and the work is unstoppable. Development in this country is now unstoppable under the leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa,” Minister of Local Government and Public Works Honourable Daniel Garwe said.
Harare Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Senator Charles Tavengwa added, “This is one of the biggest projects being implemented in Harare under the Second Republic. We are happy with the work being done here, people are raring to go. They now wait for the official opening of the market. We all need to safeguard this place.”
Beneficiaries expressed gratitude for government’s intervention.
“We are happy our market has been mordenised. We appeal for government to assist all of us who were affected by the fire because we worked as a family and we should all find a place to restart our businesses,” a beneficiary said.
Another added, “I am very happy because we now have a place to sell our wares, the market is up to standard, and they have erected sheds which is critical during the rainy season.”
Following the fire which destroyed part of Mbare Musika traders market in October last year, the government is working on modernising the market in a phased approach, with the completion of the temporary site set to pave way for the construction of the main market.
