BUSINESS UNUSUAL CONFERENCE 2012

The conference was held on the 10^th of October at Alliance Francaise de Harare, captains of industry where available to shed light on current affairs in the private sector.

First to address the people was Godfrey Mutizwa chief editor of CNBC Africa! He set the ball rolling with his expert analysis giving the event a professional touch from the word go.

Did you know that African countries are growing faster economically than population wise?

10 of the fastest growing economies in the world are African!

. With this enlightening opening, Mutizwa introduced the first speaker

Luke Ngwerume

 He got to the platform with his presentation “Business unusual a paradox” this was directed towards the nature of local business in relation to the rest of the world he stated how the world is still shaking off a depression, so the thrust of his presentation was to debunk this emerging theory that most international ideas are not applicable to Zimbabwe. Another interesting statistic he introduced was the how intra-Africa investment had improved to 17% which hinted that within a few years Africa will be the fastest growing continental block in the world.”If you see something that is not working, it is an opportunity for you to be productive”. It was amazing how much relevance his presentation had to the young Entrepreneurial audience; as they queued to meet him during the tea break.

TINASHE RWODZI

 “You eat what you kill” his presentation was titled “The hunter gatherer” based on the business ethics that helped his generation build empires, He spoke about breaking the KIA   KIA entrepreneur gene born during the high inflationary period of 2007-2008 by upholding proper business ethics. This concept of sustainable development was re-enforced by him urging young business people not to take advantage of their customers, but put them on a pedestal to ensure their well being creating a better community and market.

Shingai Mutasa

 Founder of Musawara enterprises & owner of Joina city, he started with winding rhetoric about African pride, his upbringing and how he had worked with plenty venture capitalists from around the globe eventually connected it to the prevailing economic situation and how young people can lure investors

“If they were more economic barriers such as language and the economic empowerment & indigenization act”. His view point was that for a foreigner to be able to enter any industry locally they have to partner with a native.

Entrepreneurs

Amongst the entrepreneurs available was the BOOST FELLOWSHIP (Mid-Lands State University): In operation since 2001 it has established programs in Universities & Colleges across the country the international franchise is an entrepreneurial network for undergraduates across the world. The aim of this network is to provide sustainable & innovative ways to empower communities. They had with them a contraption which has the ability to convert plastic in to fuel.

MUNGAI LENNEIYE

 The country manager of world bank for Zimbabwe  brought the presentations to an end by his short speech in which he highlighted the potential the country has if both human and finance resources are tapped in to.

Mungai also alluded to the fact that Zimbabwe has one of the most effective tax collection systems in Africa coming only second to South Africa. This led to an anti-corruption campaign ensuing.

      

The floor was open for discussion and the audience took turns at siphoning wisdom out of those on the panel.