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Exactly whose fault is it that Zimbabweans aren’t buying Zimbabwean products?

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Shame, poor Tendai Biti, for all his well meaning it seems his partners in Zimbabwe’s economy, our so called captains of industry, are only in it for short term profits and themselves. It wasn’t that long ago that Zimbabweans were making trips across the border to Musina and Francis Town en mass to buy their monthly groceries. And now our so called captains of industry are doing their best to revive what had become a dying means of survival.

The logic behind a reintroduction of import tariffs cannot really be faulted. According to an analysis in the Financial Gazette, there had been an improvement in the supply of basic goods on the market, and local producers needed protection from government to allow their industries to grow. But before the ink had even dried on the Minister’s midterm fiscal policy, retailers, local manufacturers and even hoteliers practically fell over themselves in their rush to increase prices.  By the end of July not only had the prices of the commodities listed by the Minister increased, but also the prices of those that were not listed including bath soap, detergents and hotel accommodation.

Let’s be honest, the quality of Zimbabwean goods has decreased so much that they would be unable to compete on an open market. My most favourite thing to snack on is potato chips, and in the 90s I was a Willard’s tomato flavoured chips loyalist. Yet when Willards potato chips returned to supermarket shelves, my favourite flavour had a bitter after-taste and was far more expensive than imported Simbas or Lays. So I stopped buying them. In terms of cooking oil, I’ve found that the cooking oil I used to buy in Mbare during gore renzara, that had been pressed from soya beans and sun flower seeds left food without any strange tastes or smells after frying unlike the locally produced cooking oils I’m now supposed to start buying. And, it’s all very nice that a certain locally produced soap lasts and lasts, but it would be nice if the manufacturers reduced that soaps percent content of perfumes, because it’s scent also lasts and lasts. And how about diversifying that product range to include shower gel and body lotion.

In a post about the launch of the ‘buy Zimbabwe’ campaign, blogger Zakeo Zakeos observed:

… it amazes me that some people still choose to have seminars and such without consulting me first. Because if these learned gentlemen had taken 2 minutes to brief me that they are concerned about Zimbabweans not buying enough local products, I would have given them one devilishly simple but amazingly effective strategy: Stop making shit.

2 comments to “Exactly whose fault is it that Zimbabweans aren’t buying Zimbabwean products?”

  1. Comment by Julie Bonett:

    In defence of local manufacturers, we had indeed been bombed and had to start from ground zero. Nothing in the bank, massive demands from the unions and all the imports gave us a tough time. But time tells and I know many products have improved even to compete against the cheap (and often nasty) imports.
    Do give local your best shot – what you don’t like, make sure it gets to the source.
    Support home product where it fits your taste and pocket.
    Remember, you can create employment by just choosing the best – ‘Made in Zimbabwe – with Pride’

  2. Comment by Netsai Mushonga:

    I missed Zimbabwean products in the shops for such a long time and What I knew was that as I shopped in Botwsana and South Africa I was promoting employment and industrial growth here. Now I buy Zimbabwean products when i see them, its a tough choise sometimes since some products are not very good. I love my country, I want to create employment here and I will buy Zimbabwean at whatever opportunity I get!!