The Sunday Mail
Enacy Mapakame
THE only Zimbabwean on the 2016 Forbes Africa 30 under 30 list, Mr Nkosana Mazibisa, plans to create more than 2 000 jobs in manufacturing by 2022.
Forbes Africa 30 under 30 is a list of the most promising and influential entrepreneurs under the age of 30 across various sectors from the continent.
The 28-year-old Bulawayo-based entrepreneur, who is the chief executive officer of Mazibisa Inc, said his company is having preliminary talks with an investment group and an international company that plans to set up a manufacturing plant in Bulawayo.
The investment will be channelled through Swaad, a food retail brand and subsidiary of Mazibisa Inc.
Bulawayo, which used to be the country’s industrial hub, seeks to reclaim its status.
Industry has struggled to access funding for re-tooling and product development, while imports are still posing stiff competition for locally manufactured goods.
According to the youthful entrepreneur, Bulawayo has turned into a ghost town despite the presence of companies such as United Refineries, Datlabs and Arenel that are operating at “decent capacity”.
However, he said companies such as Swaad represent efforts towards re-industrialisation of the city.
“By 2022, Swaad should have created 2190 jobs in Bulawayo.
“We are already underway through strategic alliances with G26 Investment Group owned by Nicola Grace Hove – a distinguished young entrepreneur,” he said.
Mazibisa Inc is a brand strategy consultancy firm that helps marketers of emerging brands create enduring foundations for competitive advantage and business success.
This includes launching new businesses and products and positioning brands for the next level of growth.
“Our purpose is to inspire and guide business leaders and marketing teams of start-up and emerging companies to bring new value to the marketplace.
“We collaborate with them to build the foundations of competitive advantage at the early stages of their business success. We help them discover, define and focus on what their brand must stand for to influence and engage customers and lead the market,” he said.
Mr Mazibisa assisted in the construction of a state-of-the-art computer laboratory at Mawaba School in Bulawayo, which has since been adopted as the model for all Bulawayo City Council and Government schools.
He is currently working on a $2 million project, which involves the construction of a double storey lecture theatre room and a swimming pool at the school.
The project is expected to be completed in 2017.
Mr Mazibisa is the only Zimbabwean on the Forbes list of under 30 entrepreneurs that was released last week.
The list, which was chosen from 250 nominations, feature entrepreneurs from South Africa, Gambia, Benin, Madagascar, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Senegal and Tanzania.
