The ManicaPost
AS Government constantly urges youths to embrace the Zim-Asset and fully explore business opportunities under the economic blueprint, some youths are already walking the talk by working towards value addition and self sustenance.
On implementation of the policy document, the economy is projected to grow by an average of 6,1 percent next year.
Last Friday’s Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce annual provincial business awards, held at a local hotel, saw various youths being honoured for excelling in their business, while maximising local resources, improving livelihoods and creating jobs.
One such young businessperson, Tino Machakaire, the proprietor of Tinmac Investments, was awarded the businessperson of the year first runner-up accolade.
Another young blood and Twin Towers manager, Lloyd Mapunga, scooped the young entrepreneur of the year award.
At just 31, Tino boasts of 34 state-of-art trucks that ply their trade in and around Southern Africa.
Tinmac was registered in 2006 when Machakaire, a young and ambitious entrepreneur by then, had only one truck.
After completing his primary and secondary education in Mashonaland East, Machakaire ventured into carpentry in Harare in 1998.
In 1999, he was employed by ZESA as a contract worker in Rusape.
As he struggled to earn a living in the Zim-dollar era, Tino tried everything to be his own man, including “burning” the Zim dollar for the then scarce US dollar as well as doing cross-border business.
He started off with a single vehicle, ventured into transport business and acquired several commuter omnibuses that plied the Marange route in Marange in 2003.
“Things were not looking good by then, but I always told God that I wanted to do things for myself and be my own man. I went to South Africa and became a truck driver for almost a year.
“I started selling various goods like fuel to eke out a living under my registered company, Cunrode Investments. I can call it general dealing because I ventured on anything that gave me money as long as it was clean.
“I would import goods for people from South Africa. I later acquired my first truck in 2007. That was quite an achievement, but clients did not have confidence in me. I, however, motivated myself to work harder.
“I begged God to bless what he had given me. I started seeing the light and soldiered on. My drivers let me down by stealing from me as well as siphoning fuel from my trucks on a regular basis.
“I won so many enemies,” said the devout Johanne Marange Apostolic Sect member.
Machakaire’s meteoric rise was marked in 2008 when he went on to add more trucks.
“I want to retire at an early age so I am working extra hard to achieve the best that I can do. God has been on my side because he answered my prayers.
I never wanted to work for someone else and I did not want to be poor in my life.
I describe myself as a hard worker who is professional and very patient.
“I am willing to learn new things and I am very grateful for my friends and family who stood by me through thick and thin. I hope to achieve more and I will continue to work hard,” he said.
Tinmac has a staff complement of over 50 workers.
