ZIMBABWE has for the past decade suffered from economic hardships caused by Western imposed illegal sanctions that have resulted in the once productive manufacturing sector almost being grounded.
After its resounding victory in last year’s harmonised elections, ZANU PF has moved in with new strategies such as implementation of the Zim-ASSET to revive the economy.
A lot of people have questioned the reality of these new tactics and if the revolutionary party would succeed in restoring the economic glory that the country used to enjoy before the burden of the illegal sanctions.
President Robert Mugabe recently came under the spotlight by some sectors of the media that sympathise with the country’s detractors who criticised President Mugabe’s view of a possible economic rebound.
These prophets of doom dismissed the practicability and reality of the President’s assessment that there was an economic re-bound as a fallacy.
They cited that the nation was still in political and economic crisis that only needed the pardon of Western and international financiers that isolated the country to assist Zimbabwe with funds to revive the economy.
However, it must be noted that Zimbabwe has entered a new economic dispensation where there is need for everyone in the country to embrace the fact that we are starting to rebuild the economy from ground zero.
Therefore, it is a transition that requires new thinking, commitment and dedication to the cause of rebuilding the economy.
Most importantly is the fact that development should be shaped around the idea that locals should be in control and at the forefront of rebuilding the economy.
A recent visit by The Patriot crew to Chegutu where most of the companies including the country’s major textile firm, David Whitehead Textiles Limited (DW) had closed down due to viability was an eye opener.
The textile firm was placed under provisional judicial management in December 2010 due to funding challenges before confirmation of the final order in March this year.
In a memorandum that was written by DW judicial manager, Knowledge Hofisi, operations at the company will resume on September 1 2014.
“It is planned that our operations will commence on September 1 2014,” he said.
Hofisi said the company had started recruitment of employees, but emphasised that the workers would be recalled according the capacity utilisation levels.
“Meanwhile, employees are requested to furnish Messrs. R Majoni and T Mangozho with their contact details,” he said.
“An ad hoc committee will be established towards the end of August 2014 to finalise the recruitment process.
“Deployment of human resources will be aligned to the production levels.”
One of DW top officials who refused to be named told The Patriot during the tour of the plant that the refurbishment exercise had been completed.
The official said the company conducted a test run for the plant and the process was successful.
“We have completed major maintenance work at the plant and the procurement of working capital to support our operations,” said the official. 
“Eighty out of 96 runnable looms were refurbished, while in Kadoma, the Absorbent Cotton Wool plant which produces cotton wool is ready to commence production.
“All is now set to start operation and everything that is needed to start production is now in place.”
The company used to produce at least 20 million metres of fabric per year while directly employing 3 000 workers.
The re-opening of the company would play a significant role in boosting the textile industry that had reduced its performance to below 10 percent due to inadequate working capital.
Textile industry was also affected by challenges to replace obsolete equipment and stiff competition from cheap fabric imports which have seen the country literally relying on imports.
As the operations of DW promote value addition, it should be noted that the development would also benefit other down and upstream industries such as cotton farmers that relied on DW.
The function of DW would also reduce the import bill of textile products in the country.
Meanwhile, in another development, former Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDCs) largest gold mine, Elvington Mine in Chegutu has resumed operations after its closure in 2003 following the collapse of a mine shaft.
A close source who refused to be named told The Patriot that since its reopening, the mine was recording increased production.
“We are now conducting full dump production at the plant to realise an output of 1 000 tonnes per day and achieve a minimum of 14 kilogrammes per month,” said the source.
“This is a viable project to us and we hope we will be able to get 14 kilogrammes in the next two months if more resources are available.
“We are expecting to generate a profit of US$4 million from 160 kilogrammes of gold per year.”
In the long term the mine requires US$29 million to resuscitate underground operations in 2016 with funding expected to come from dump retreatment.
ZANU PF Chegutu West legislator Dexter Nduna said most of the major economic projects in his constituency had been resuscitated.
“Most companies in my constituency are re-opening and we are happy that the country is poised for an economic rebound,” he said.