The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
A RECORD attendance, brisk business at the host centre, properly coordinated chronology of events, exhilarating soccer matches and musical gala as well as magnificent stage works remain some of the major take-aways from this year’s national Independence Day commemorations.
Business at and around Murambinda, which was last year accorded town board status, was booming courtesy of the Uhuru commemorations.
Commercial activities spurred by the hosting of commemorations have never been witnessed at Murambinda.
From retailing, vending to tourism, the business was oversubscribed.
Not even on such revered days like Christmas, Easter and Heroes’ holidays had such lucrative sales and bookings being recorded.
True to the concept of demand and supply, a product like ice cream, for example, which normally costs a dollar for two in a normal situation, was going for US$2 during the commemorations at Murambinda.
A former deputy head at Murambinda A Primary School, Mr Chifuruse Mushayabasa, who ventured into agribusiness and alcohol beverage retail business was an elated lot.
Mr Mushayabasa, who is also into farming and runs an up-to-the-minute Musoni Night spot at the heart of Murambinda Town Centre retired from the education sector on medical grounds after being involving in an accident.
“We have benefitted in a big way by hosting this year’s Independence Day commemorations. As businesses, we never witnessed the boom in sales like we witnessed this time around. In fact, we started making super profits during the preparatory stages of the event, almost a month ago.
“People who have been coming and are still coming here have been procuring commodities, products and services from different providers at the town centre.
“We recorded huge sales since last Saturday when delegates began to flock to this town. As you can see, there are winding queues of people wanting to purchase goods and we are ready to serve them as quickly as we can,” he said.
Mr Mushayabasa said vendors also made a lot of money during the commemorations.
Some vendors were selling food, airtime and data as well as mineral water, among others.
Owing to hot weather conditions prevailing on the day, it was brisk business for juice and water stalls, ice cream and fruit vendors.
Heavy rush was witnessed for shops selling fruit juices, beverage drinks and alcohol.
“I have been operating at this growth point (now town centre) for decades, and I can confess that I have never witnessed or recorded such brisk business. I cannot complain, we have made good money. Our busiest days are usually during the Christmas holiday, but this was unprecedented. It has been something else,” he said.
Small eateries and vendors selling fruit juices and water did brisk business, especially near the venue.
Mr Joe Simboti was one of them.
Mr Simboti, a vendor at Murambinda for years sells airtime, ice cream, edibles such as fresh chips and chicken, among others.
“I wish if we could permanently host this national calendar event. Whoever came up with this idea that Independence Day commemorations should be decentralised must have had my business in mind.
“I have made profits that I never made since I started vending in this area, some six years ago. We are thankful to President Mnangagwa and the organisers of this event for bringing big business to us here at Murambinda,” he said.
Hotels, lodges and other informal traders at Murambinda also recorded huge sales as delegates attending the commemorations thronged these areas for accommodation and to purchase different wares.
There was heightened activity for almost a fortnight prior to big day as delegates thronged different hotels and lodges to have a feel of the services.
A chef who works at a local hotel, who spoke to this publication on condition of anonymity, said all hotel rooms were fully booked before the commemorations, resulting in some clients being turned away due to the overwhelming demand.
At the end of it all, it was the province of Manicaland that was left with its tail wagging and walking with a spring in its step after hosting such a hugely successful national event.
No wonder, the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, in a post event analysis interview, thanked all stakeholders who worked tirelessly for the successful hosting of the country’s 44th Independence Day commemorations.
“We are very happy that our Independence Day celebrations went on very well. People came out in their numbers. The President gave us a very, very special message that will go a long way in guiding us as a province and as a nation.
“The whole event from the start went on well without any disturbances. I am grateful to the local organising team, they worked very hard.
“We thank Vice President Kembo Mohadi who chairs the Cabinet Committee for State Occasions and National Monuments. We are really thankful to his guidance and all relevant Government departments. Everyone participated whole heartedly,” he said.
