ZIMBABWE’S vast potential for economic growth and business opportunities have attracted the attention of multi-national companies and investors.
And not to be left out are Zimbos in the Diaspora, many who are considering returning home.
The skills and experience they have gained can help accelerate economic development.
Tonderai Samanyika said he has created many important networks: “They will give you the best advice. Don’t think that the challenges others face are unique to them and won’t happen to you. When we come back, we tend to think that we know better and that we won’t experience the same issues that other returning entrepreneurs face. Getting together regularly and talking to other entrepreneurs is important. This peer-to-peer mentorship has really been key for me.”
Emmanuel Tandi who has since left England said it was imperative that Zimbabweans take advantage of the opportunities back home: “First, there is no better time than now. I had been reading and hearing about all the business opportunities back home. We came to a point where we said we can continue talking about this or be a part of it. As long as you have a solid idea, a plan to execute it and the commitment to make it work, take the plunge – go back home.”
A shoemaker, John Tambudzai, said he had nothing to fear and would soon return home: “Don’t be afraid of failure. There is no such thing. You will always be learning – especially from your mistakes.”
Zvaitwa Mutusva said those itching to return home had to do so without hesitation: “For eager to return home I go for it. Don’t get stuck on your desk running the numbers and envisaging all the possible and impossible scenarios. Too much analysis leads to paralysis. The best way to make it happen is simply to take a leap and make it happen. (sic)”
Jane Mandimedza said: “You definitely can’t return home starry eyed… I think if you come back without doing your research and thinking, ‘I’m going to go there and it’s going to be exactly like it was in London and it is going to be a lot of fun’, you are going to have a rude awakening. You are coming back to a market that is growing very fast but with some infrastructure not yet there that is the flip side of the opportunity. Coming back and expecting things to work perfectly or expecting that you are not going to have challenges, is not realistic. (sic)”
Mike Shumba who has established a photographic institute back home advised: “I did a lot of research before I came back, talking to a lot of my friends that were living here who had moved back and understood the challenges and what the opportunities were… But I think if you (do that) and see the opportunity and you really want to be part of the story, and you recognise that this is a historic time (and I’m not overstating that, this is really the last frontier and it’s a historic time). (sic)”
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