Willowton, Mega Market in $35m retail investment deal
COOKING oil and soap producing concern, Willowton Zimbabwe has partnered Mega Market to set up a retail investment worth $35 million in Mutare.
Briefing the First Lady, Dr Amai Grace Mugabe during her meet the people rally at St John’s School in Buhera last Friday, Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Cde Mandi Chimene, said the plant was expected to run by June 2017.
“Willowton Zimbabwe and Mega Market have chosen Mutare, Manicaland’s capital as their production bases and are making huge investments to boost local production and employment. Willowton invested $40 million and produces soap and cooking oil and currently employs 100 workers,” she said.
Cde Chimene cited lack of recapitalisation, shortage of raw materials, outdated machinery and high cost of borrowing as some of the challenges saddling industrial growth in Manicaland.
“Cairns Foods is operating at 67 percent utilisation and supports over 1 000 farmers who are into soya bean production. This year, the company expects to put 400 hectares of Michigan beans under contract farming.
“Mutare Bottling Company is currently operating at 13,33 percent capacity utilisation. It is being affected by the smuggling of soft drinks from Mozambique. However, the company has acquired new plant equipment.
“Quest Motors is operating at five percent capacity utilisation and is largely affected by foreign currency shortages to secure raw materials,” said Cde Chimene.
She bemoaned the continuous presence of illegal settlers and gold panners in timber estates, saying this was having a telling effect on production.
“Border Timbers is under voluntary judiciary management and now operating at 60 percent capacity utilisation. The company and whole of the timber industry is affected by illegal settlers and illegal gold mining,” he said.
Turning to the mining sector, Cde Chimene said it was sad to note that Manicaland had nothing to show for its rich mineral resources.
“The province is endowed with gold, diamonds, vermiculate, phosphate, tantalite and copper. Illegal panning is rampant especially in Chimanimani at Tarka Estate where timber is being destroyed. Our mineral resources should not benefit a few individuals, but Zimbabwe as a whole. Corruption is just rampant and panners are wreaking havoc. The country is losing a lot through these illegal activities.
“There is no diamond cutting and polishing in the province, yet most of the diamonds are being mined in Chiadzwa and Chimanimani. The merging of diamond companies is highly appreciated, however, the process should move with speed to ensure that our communities benefit from the diamonds. Furthermore, efforts should be made to acquire equipment relevant for deep mining of diamonds,” she said.
Dr Amai Mugabe also added her voice on adding value to minerals being mined in Manicaland.
“I totally agree that diamonds should be processed here in Manicaland. This should happen across the country where there are mineral deposits. Everything should not be transported to Harare or outside the country for processing. Every province should add value to its minerals and other natural resources,” said Dr Amai Mugabe.
Cde Chimene said community share ownership trusts should fulfil their mandate of empowering local communities.
“The Zimunya- Marange Community Share Ownership Trust has exhausted the initial funds and is left with $40 000. We expect the new company, Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company to fund the trust for
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