Story by Memory Chamisa
THE Siyaso industrial hub in Mbare is known to sell almost everything, and indeed it has lived up to this expectation.
While this reality is bare for all to see, there are stories of men and women who hardly sleep to ensure that the good reputation of the Industrial hub is maintained.
The clang of metals, the humming sound of grinders, and a spark or two from the welding machines make up the ever-busy Siyaso Market.
Mbare’s Siyaso trading marketplace, whose contribution toward economic development has been recognised in pursuit of Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy, holds vast skills whose impact on the country’s economy cannot be overlooked.
From this perennially busy industrial site, one can buy almost anything, be it building materials, farming equipment, or cooking ware, among other things.
“This is an industry that runs the economy here in Harare. We run conjointly with Mbare Musika as farmers come here after selling their produce by agriculture equipment which major companies sell but are expensive, you can get them for half the price as we work on targets if we are given an order we make sure that we deliver as early as possible,” one of the Artisans said.
Another Artisan noted that Siyaso is an industrial Hub that makes everything, and this has resulted in many innovations and products being made.
“As the men and women here are skilled. Everyone here is capable of making something, and even our children who have finished school are coming here to learn how to make something of the products, and this also ensures continuity in the event of our demise,” the artisan noted.
“As a woman, this place has changed my life financially, and I have also managed to create employment as my business records significant growth. The just-ended tobacco selling season brought brisk business as farmers came to retool and we sold most of the equipment they need in their fields to them,” another Artisan added.
Chairperson of the Mukuvisi Manufacturing Cooperative, which houses Siyaso traders, Mr Simeon Nikisi, applauded the Government for creating an enabling environment that has seen the site being recognised as an economic driver.
“Magaba Siyaso is a home industries market in Mbare. It is a marketplace for metalwork and other craftsmanship of more than 3 thousand traders. People in and around Harare, with some coming from other cities and towns come to the market to buy products at a cheaper price than they can find in Hardware and home stores. If you cannot find anything you need, be assured that you will find it here at Siyaso,” he said.
The government prioritises Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) development as a key driver of economic growth, having implemented various policies and strategies, with the aim of formalising, regulating, and supporting the sector through financing, entrepreneurship education, and linkage promotion with larger enterprises.
As for these men and women at Siyaso, it is all in a day’s work, as they look forward to tomorrow’s business.
