THE ZIMBABWE Chamber of SMEs (ZCSMES), in collaboration with the Indigenous Advisory Practitioners Association of Zimbabwe (IAPAZ), has expressed profound appreciation to President Emerson Mnangagwa for his decisive leadership in declaring the Mbare Traders Market fire a state of disaster.
The catastrophic blaze, which occurred on 8 October 2024, devastated over 4,000 traders, ravaging both retail and wholesale sections of the iconic market and leaving thousands of livelihoods in ruins.
Venencio Kurauone, National Secretary General of the Zimbabwe Chamber of SMEs, commended President Mnangagwa for his swift response to the calls of affected traders and the wider SME community.
"We extend our deepest gratitude to the President for recognizing the gravity of this disaster and taking immediate action by declaring it a State of Disaster. This crucial move paves the way for the mobilization of much-needed resources to assist in the recovery and rebuilding efforts," said Kurauone.
He added that this tragic event presents an opportunity for all key players in the SME ecosystem to unite in offering solutions to help traders recover and strengthen their businesses.
Kurauone called on stakeholders, including Harare City Council, financial institutions, insurance companies, and others, to rally in support of the government's efforts.
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"We urge all relevant stakeholders to align with the President’s initiative by working with the Chamber to design and implement strategies that mitigate the risk of future disasters. Together, we must rebuild a stronger, more formalized, and resilient SME sector," he said.
IAPAZ president Nyasha Gonese echoed these sentiments, praising Mnangagwa's declaration and underscoring the importance of formalizing businesses to safeguard them from future calamities.
"The Mbare fire is a stark reminder of the need for SMEs to formalize their operations to enhance resilience. IAPAZ is committed to working closely with local authorities and the Chamber to accelerate the formalization of SMEs nationwide," Gonese stated.
He called for all stakeholders to prioritize formalization as a critical step in safeguarding the livelihoods of SMEs in the face of such unpredictable disasters.
In a show of solidarity with the national SME development efforts under the National SME Policy 2020-2024, the Guruve Rural District Council (RDC) has already embraced the Chamber and IAPAZ’s SME formalization initiative.
The RDC has agreed to host monthly SME networking breakfasts, with the inaugural event scheduled for 1 November 2024 in Guruve.
Munyengetero Maposa, Acting CEO of Guruve RDC, emphasized the importance of strengthening rural SMEs in the wake of the Mbare disaster.
"While the Mbare fire is a tragedy, it serves as a powerful reminder of the need for collaboration and proactive planning within the SME sector. We are working with IAPAZ and the Chamber to ensure that rural SMEs formalize their operations, which is crucial for minimizing future risks," he said.
The declaration of the Mbare fire as a State of Disaster is expected to unlock vital financial and technical support, enabling traders to rebuild their businesses while creating an opportunity for all stakeholders to develop comprehensive disaster mitigation strategies.
The ZCSMEs and IAPAZ reaffirm their commitment to working hand-in-hand with all relevant partners to ensure the sustainable growth and development of SMEs in Zimbabwe.