NBS to deliver 200 more housing units in Harare

NATIONAL Building Society ( NBS) is set to deliver 200 housing units in Harare’s Tynwald suburb during the second quarter of 2023 after finishing 600 units through its Dzivaresekwa project in 2022.

NBS managing director Mr Tapera Mushoriwa said the institution was hands- on to play its part in helping the country deliver housing units by 2025 in line with the National Development Strategy 1 ( NDS1).

Mr Mushoriwa said he joined the bank at a time when it was on an impressive growth trajectory.

“In the second half of 2022, our strategic focus was on the establishment of a corporate banking unit which sort of brought a lot of attraction from corporates who wanted to be on corporate mortgage schemes,” he said.

“At this stage, we felt compelled as a bank, to wind up on legacy projects. We wound down on our biggest project and sealed the year by delivering on the Dzivaresekwa project which saw 600 houses being completed and commissioned.

“We are impressed with the progress regarding this project as there was a rush on the houses. With this, we then deliberately moved to pursue more projects of this magnitude and also expand our corporate banking portfolio.”

Mr Mushoriwa said 2023 was the year they were going to define and grow their mandate had shifted into ‘ Bank, Build and Go Beyond’.

He said as a financial institution, they felt compelled to ensure that they opened doors to ordinary Zimbabweans in order to financially empower them.

“Most customers who have courted us come in anticipation of becoming homeowners. However, not everyone qualifies for this facility.

“This gap is what we have sought to close by understanding our customer’s diverse needs and providing sustainable solutions.

“To this end, we are partnering with councils to deliver affordable housing. Under our product ‘ Ramangwana Ilakusasa,’ we have gone a step further to look at delivering affordable housing in the peri- urban areas. This will empower people within the public service,” Mr Mushoriwa said.

He said there were people with plots, and farms and their aim was to venture into partnerships with them.

“It is no longer just about building houses within the towns. We have also crafted products for the diaspora market as well.

“There are quite a number of exciting projects. However, the key is the Tynwald Cluster Homes Project which will be delivered in this quarter. This initiative will deliver 200 units through a joint venture partnership.”

Mr Mushoriwa said the bank had partnered with key stakeholders such as mining companies and State- owned enterprises to expand their 2022 delivery output.

“So we are not going to be doing it alone, we are inviting everyone to come in with their different proposals so that we can feed into the housing delivery mandate in accordance with NDS1,” he said.

“Our mandate is national. We are already working on a big project in Beitbridge and another one in Mutare that is taking impressive shape along with other towns.

“The process to expand our branch network has already started. It is part of our five- year strategic plan from 202328. We will be opening new doors and branches here in Harare and outside the capital.”