The ManicaPost
◆ Twitter transformed my business
◆ Eastern Highlands therapeutic
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
ONE think-tank once opined that ‘the technology you use impresses no one, but the experience you create with it is everything’.
Social media has been used and abused by many around the globe, but for young Terrence Maphosa, it is the reason behind the successful marketing of his poultry farming project.
In fact, according to Maphosa, Twitter accounts for 99,9 percent of the marketing he has done to realise considerable success in his poultry business.
A University of Zimbabwe Political Administration graduate who found himself venturing into poultry farming in his rural communal lands of Village Six in Mhondoro-Ngezi, the 29-year-old used social media platform Twitter to converse with prospective clients.
“The digital space is key. We should use it to our advantage. I can safely say social media did everything for me. Twitter and Facebook are the social media platforms that I have employed to reach out to prospective clients as well as partners. For Twitter, to be specific, it has been the best for me. It has done 99.9 percent of my marketing,” said the youthful farming entrepreneur who has defied odds using a small piece of land in his rural home.
Such is the power of Twitter that Maphosa, on his @terrymap1 handle, has reached out to many as he recently tweeted: “I supplied every town in Zimbabwe, I empowered a few, I made friends and family happy. You guys pushed me to work extra hard, I created 111 roadrunner farmers …”
Even during his visit to the Eastern Highlands last week, he hooked up with a client and supplied 120 birds as he spent three days in majestic Nyanga.
“On the day I came to Nyanga, I managed to supply 120 birds due to the power of social media, specifically Twitter,” he said.
He spoke of the ambiance of Nyanga and how he views it as the best tourism product Zimbabwe can offer.
“I personally think the Eastern Highlands is the best destination for any tourist in Zimbabwe. The air is therapeutic. The environs are just awesome. I really enjoyed myself and I cannot wait for my second visit to the Eastern Highlands.
“I managed to visit a couple of areas that include Mtarazi Falls. The Skywalk is so exciting and refreshing. I also visited Nyangombe Falls, Nyanga Mountain and the World View. It was an unforgettable experience,” said the Mhondoro-Ngezi farmer who was on a Zimbabwe Tourism Authority ZimBhoo Campaign in the Eastern Highlands.
In another tweet, Maphosa posted: “Ladies and gentlemen, I took 1 hour 50 minutes to reach the peak of Nyanga Mountain. Ndirika roadrunner chaiko (I am a road runner breed). Here is to the highest point. Ndadziya (l was warmed up by) the Famous 1951 flame…”
The Famous 1951 flame is found at Troutbeck Resort, with reports that the warm fire has never been extinguished since it was ignited in 1951.
Maphosa has gained popularity countrywide due to his thriving poultry project.
He rears six different road runner breeds that include Black Australorp, Koekoek, Light Sussex, kuroila, Jersey Giant and Buff Opington.
He was quick to note that clarity of mind, dedication and hard work are key to success.
“Apart from using social media to transform my business, I think it was also a case of clarity of mind, dedication and hard work. One needs to be clear on what exactly they need to do. Ask yourself whether you really understand the project and all its complexities.
“You also need to be passionate and dedicated to your projects. Above all, one needs to work hard to achieve their goals. There is no substitute for hard work,” he said.
