The Sunday Mail
Rumour has it that even airplane spares can be found in this home industry, popularly known as Siya-so. As far-fetched as the statement might sound, what is undeniable is the unprecedented contribution the structure has had on a suburb best known for its nefarious criminal elements, drug peddling and alarming number of unemployed youths.
The sprawling one-stop shop in Harare’s Mbare suburb is now a fundamental part of the emerging micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sector much like the Glen View furniture complex, Gazaland in Highfield and its competitor in the area, Mupedzanhamo. Locals have since leapt onto the MSME bandwagon, eking out a living through entrepreneurial means such as selling various wares, manufacturing, agriculture, among many other enterprises.
In a big way, the micro, small and medium businesses have more than halved unemployment in the country. The Sunday Mail Extra crew paid a visit to the complex in the hope of unravelling the many sites, anecdotes and success stories within the confines of the giant complex.
Mr Vitalis Mupakuri and his family are arguably among the most popular entrepreneurs at the complex. The family runs a furniture-manufacturing shop.
Theirs is a simple “rags-to-riches” story that testifies to how a little hard work, ingenuity and perseverance can change one’s life. Starting off with a monthly revenue of just over US$500, the Mupakuris now gross profits in the region of US$15 000 every month. “After being retrenched in 2002, I did not allow that temporary setback to render me useless,” said Mr Mupakuri, as we toured his little business.
“We, as a family, then decided to start this furniture-manufacturing business some 10 years ago. Initially, we grossed a monthly turnover of slightly above US$500, which meant we had to adjust to a life of pittance.”
Mr Mupakuri said the shop had an initial staff complement of three people comprising himself and his two siblings.
The tide, however, shifted as the business grew and their reputation of good product quality grew. Today they boast of a staff complement of 15 people, hitting gross profits which stagger around US$15 000 every month.
“Through our business, we have managed to buy a lorry to ferry wood and other components needed during the manufacturing process.
“We have also begun delivering goods to our customers.
“Although our goods are of high quality, our most popular and ‘killer’ products include the Rolex, Bubble B and leather couches,” he said.
From the humble beginnings, when they made and sold stools, pushing trays and other small wooden merchandise, the Mupakuri family has turned into prominent figures in the suburb.
For them, the furniture-manufacturing business has become an economic gravy train that plucked them from the jaws of poverty into the comforts of prosperity. They now supply furniture to reputed shops and individuals countrywide. Across the city in Highfield suburb, Mr Louis “Maskiri” Kagurabadza has become the most-sought-after person at Gazaland in the world of motor mechanics and vehicle spare parts suppliers. Mr Kagurabadza embarked on a career as a backyard mechanic in Highfield, one of the country’s oldest suburbs, after his uncle had showed him the ropes.
“Without any formal training, finding employment was always going to be an onerous task. So I decided to operate from home,” said Mr Kagurabadza. “I started off simply helping my uncle, taking notes at every turn, and then began to help friends here and there, then a stranger here and there as well.
“However, overwhelming responses from customers compelled me to move on to a more spacious place so that I could accommodate the flourishing business. But it was not all that rosy in the beginning as he only managed to make enough to fend for his wife and two children.
“When I moved to Gazaland, I was the only one manning the workshop and undertaking all the errands including assembling and dismantling engines.
“As time went on, I did the same. I started doing more and that led to more business.”
Today his empire has now grown in leaps and bounds with the fortunes positively impacting on his lifestyle, he now owns a fleet of vehicles and a house in Glen View. In some areas, this alone is the definition of success.
“I have added five more employees, including a qualified class 1 mechanic and a secretary to do all the requisite paperwork,” added Mr Kagurabadza, who keeps his earnings a closely guarded secret “for professional reasons”.
