HAVING built respectable accommodation for bankers and other professionals in the past, Enhanced Mortgaging and Housing Africa (EMHA) has now embarked on a programme to avail the same for low income earners across the country, with mostly a youthful workforce spearheading the exercise.
With youthful personnel manning and operating multimillion-dollar equipment used for land clearance, opening up roads,as well as setting up water and sewer infrastructure, the organisation insists that fully habitable communities that comply with laws of the land and nature should be the norm.
In recent times, city councils around the country have demolished illegal business and settlement structures that have been developed haphazardly.
Most of the illegal settlements lacked basic infrastructure such as access roads,water reticulation and sewer systems.
EMHA projects have prioritised provision of basic amenities such as water, sewer and road systems.
“Zimbabwe is our country, we have no other. It is crucial for business operators, in whatever field, to be cognisant of the fact that when we embark on a project, it’s not just about profit but creating a lasting legacy that must be enjoyed by future generations,” said EMHA founder and chairman Engineer Harrison Marange.
“In the quest to achieve Vision 2030 and an upper-middle income economy, we are determined to ensure that low income earners, be they vendors or whoever, have access to decent housing with all the basic amenities that should now be a common feature in the 21st Century. In the process of providing these, we are also empowering the youths who naturally should be the custodians of the legacy dreamt and created by their elders,” he said.
Engineer Marange insists that entrusting multi-million-dollar equipment that include bulldozers, compactors, graders and excavators to youthful operators is not being careless.
Processes, such as de-stumping in road-making, are delicate and can result in the loss of machinery if not carefully executed.
“We are training the youths to operate heavy machinery and then trusting them to do the job. I know, in the construction sector, most of this heavy machinery is a preserve for the veterans of the industry, the so-called madhalas, but not so with us. We are not an irresponsible or reckless organisation. We just believe more in the future.
“Our youths should be capacitated if they are to become able future leaders and captains of industry to spearhead development. Leaders, like the late Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda, may his soul rest in peace, had the vision to mentor youngsters like President Mnangagwa and today we are reaping the fruits of that empowerment through a visionary President.
“The late liberation war hero and veteran educationist Martin Mwale-Kamtande, at Mt St Mary’s in Hwedza, took time to politically mentor youths who went on to take up arms against colonialism. Notable among these youths are the late national hero Perrance Shiri and Vice President Constantino Chiwenga. Thus, it is important to support our youths as it moulds them into responsible citizens,” he said.
Twenty-one-year old bulldozer operator Tinashe Thomas said EMHA had presented him with an opportunity to enhence his skills in the construction sector.
“I have learnt so much under EMHA and I am not only an operator as I am also being taught how to maintain the machinery,” said Thomas.
Nyasha Chareka (22), a grader operator, concurred: “Our skills set has vastly improved compared to our peers in the industry.”
Engineer Marange said trusting the youthful workforce and availing low income housing did not in any way compromise on the quality of their work.
“When we say we are among the best in the industry, we are not just beating our drums; the combined experience of senior personnel and engineers in our organisation is over 70 years, enabling us to effectively guide our youthful component. And this vast experience puts us in a unique position to innovate, apply and advance technologies that benefit the general public. The organisation has faithfully served communities in the country’s major towns and rural areas as well as supported our resettled farmers by providing products and services of superior quality at a fair price.”
For sustainable development and to avoid future losses, he said, operators and clients had to do things right without cutting corners and breaking laws.
“Laws are not meant to punish people but are in place to ensure harmony and development that does not negatively impact the society and environment. As EMHA, we exist to provide value to our customers as well as making their lives better by lower prices and greater selection of products,” said Engineer Marange.
The organisation, currently engaged in construction projects in countries such as Zambia, Tanzania and Sierra Leone, hailed the Government’s indigenisation programme which has allowed local companies to flourish locally and abroad.
“We have been awarded tenders in foreign countries to develop communities from scratch, that is clearing land, setting up support infrastructure, schools and clinics and providing housing for security personnel.
“EMHA is about going the extra mile, especially in the construction sector. We are about building reliable and better performing structures. We are about delivering tomorrow today, which we achieve through people who live, breathe, eat and sleep what they do. Our greatest pleasure comes from participating in a difficult and constructive undertaking.”
While profits are crucial for continued existence of businesses, Engineer Marange said for the country to thrive, business operators must not solely be driven by the profit margin.
“While profits enable us to grow and pursue broader aims, we should not just exist to make money. Let us be driven by the desire to do something else, to make a product, to deliver a service of value. We don’t just exist to be a company; we exist to do something useful.
“For us, it is better to provide a large number of people with housing at a reasonable price which in turn gives a large number of people employment
“We are a business in the community, a business that is akin to a neighbour who can be called upon at a moment’s notice to help.”