The Sunday Mail
Zimbabweans are all over the globe, with the largest concentration of our citizens said to be in neighbouring South Africa, where figures as extreme as three million are usually peddled.
Whether this figure is true or not could be a discussion for another day, but the truth is, wherever Zimbabweans have settled, the majority of them are in the hardworking category, excelling and making names for themselves – and the country – in different spheres of life.
Whilst the name Laston “GP” Murerwa might ring a bell to many, thanks to the salutations made by Alick Macheso in several of his songs, this popularity might have been heightened when the two – Macheso and Murerwa that is – partnered to front Last Power Media, a marriage which inevitably – and probably irretrievably – broke down at the height of piracy and hyperinflation.
And whilst Macheso has somehow maintained a highly visible public persona, thanks largely to the nature of his career, Laston Murerwa slipped into oblivion. Or so it seemed.
When Murerwa appeared on the local scene, thanks to the several mentions by Macheso and their subsequent partnership, what could possibly have not been revealed was that Murerwa was a businessman in his own right.
Starting off in 2007, exactly a decade ago, Murerwa was running a spares shop in Lebowakgomo, just off Polokwane, and today he dominates the Limpopo province of South Africa with his motor parts business, so dominant that his franchise – LPS – has 12 branches dotted in and around the province.
And at the end of July, the Mayor of the Capricorn District Municipality, Councillor John Mphe, was officially launching the LPS Provincial Fitment Centre, the latest addition to the LPS family.
The fitment centre is located within the reclusive and exclusive Nirvana area of Polokwane, generally a motor sales district, making it an ideal stop for the discerning motoring enthusiast.
But Cllrr Mphe, speaking during the opening ceremony, could not have emphasised the relationship between Zimbabweans and South Africans more.,“We fought together in the war against apartheid as brothers (Zimbabweans and South Africans).
“That should always unite us.
“Then we have people like Mr Murerwa who is not a tenderpreneur but an entrepreneur who is contributing to the growth of the South African economy. It is something that should be applauded and encouraged.”
Chronicling the journey that he has travelled from his heydays with his Lebowakgomo first shop, Murerwa said it was not an easy ride, especially that he was a foreigner trying to set up shop.
“As a foreigner it was hard for me when I opened my first branch. No one wanted to give us lines of credit as I was a foreign passport holder. Now those suppliers are running after us, even giving us products that we will pay for after 90 days.”
With 12 branches to his name and employing just over 100 employees, most of them South Africans, Murerwa said although the opening of the provincial fitment centre was a dream come true for him, his ultimate goal is to spread his wings right across South Africa, and possibly double his employment figures.
“There is always a negative perception about Zimbabweans, especially the Diaspora community, so we are trying to prove that we are there to contribute to the development of our country as well as our host country.
“Through taxes and employment creation, we have contributed a lot to the national fiscus of South Africa, as well as putting Zimbabwe on the map. We are a hardworking people,” said Murerwa.
He added: “As Zimbabweans we have been accused of taking job opportunities for locals as well as committing various crimes.
“That is not how we were brought up. As a brand, we want to be ambassadors of honest Zimbabweans.”
The Nirvana provincial fitment centre specializes in pimping top-of-the-range off-roaders, notably the Ford and Toyota 4x4s. LPS is also into all motor vehicle parts and accessories, with branches spanning from Musina right up into the heart of Limpopo province.
“Though our clientele is drawn from both South Africans and Zimbabweans, we have lined up our branch network strategically so that those who might not have the time to drive to Johannesburg will look for the most convenient branch for them.
“Besides, some find it convenient to leave their vehicles with us to work on them and they proceed further inland for other business commitments, and by the time they finish their engagements we would be done with their vehicles.”
