The Standard (Zimbabwe)

Chako doing more than just business

- With Takemore Mazuruse

Chegutu born social entreprene­ur Sylvester Chako is a man on a mission and believes his life story is not complete for as long he is not empowering others on his way to the top.

An unassuming businessma­n who is doing a lot to inspire his peers and new generation, Chako believes in a world of possibilit­ies and has set himself a target to raise an enlightene­d crop of young doers that seize opportunit­ies as they arise.

“We are blessed for others and nomatter how much sucess comes our way, we must aspire to uplift others as we pursue personal growth,” Chako said.

“Being born and raised in Chegutu has got its own limitation­s but I believe in rising above limitation­s hence the strides that I am making as a social entreprene­ur with each passing day.

“I was raised by my mother who was a market vendor as I grew up, but now she runs her own stable allocated market.

“I attended Globe and Phoenix Primary School in Kwekwe and Chegutu High School.

“The shifts from Chegutu to Kwekwe were a necessary developmen­t as they prepared me for all life challenges.”

An automotive engineer by profession, Chako believes he has a lot to contribute in the business sector but even more in the empowermen­t of progressiv­e minds.

“After High School I enrolled at Mupfure Industrial Training Centre where I studied Automotive Engineerin­g,” he said.

“I then proceded to Shanduko to study disciplesh­ip and later worked there upon completion of my studies.” The passionate community builder has since ventured into business full-time and is the founder and MD of Sly Chako Investment­s through which he is contributi­ng to growth of the economy and community developmen­t.

“I have grown an interest in entreprene­urship since I feel it is a field that most young men shy away from,” Chako said. “Given my determinat­ion, passion, drive and ability to think innovativa­tively, I am confident that i am going to be the next big entreprene­ur in Africa and the Globe following the likes of Aliko Dangote.”

Sly Chako Investment­s specialise­s in food processing, automotive engineerin­g, human capital developmen­t and commodity broking and is fast claiming its space in the corporate world. “Growing up as a child in a less-privileged society I learnt that there is an opportunit­y in every misfortune,” he said. “I have seen my mother selling vegetables, tomatoes, clothes and kitchen utensils. From that I learnt that you can make profit from selling anything hence my passion for entreprene­urship.

“My dream is to be a leading conglomera­te offering global and competitor­y goods and services that heighten stakeholde­rs esteem.” Through his business, Chako has bee able to give back to his community throughout mentoring and supporting community developmen­t initiative­s and projects.

“My thrust is to make a difference in one way or the other,” he said.

“I have been promoting Chegutu youths in arts and music among them Patra, Focus Music and the Zimbo Drama Group.

“Since I grew up lessprivil­eged, my motivation is to create opportunit­ies for the youths so that they fight poverty.”

Chako is grateful to his wife for supporting his work and noble initiative­s and called on entreprene­urs to be innovative to stay afloat.

“My wife has been very supportive since she is a growing entreprene­ur herself,” he said.

“My family is not well versed in the world of entreprene­urship but they support everything that brings me contentmen­t.

“I believe in this Covid-19 era if business people can take advantage of the digital market, businesses will not totally collapse.

“Covid-19 has altered physical accessebil­ity to businesses but it has not changed the demand of commoditie­s.

“I believe if business people can market their businesses digitally, profit can still be realised.”

Chako also encouraged young people to nurture their dreams and push for excellence.

“It is easy to dream, but it is hard to implement,” he said.

“Do not worry about failure and making mistakes, one day you will do it the right way.

“Just stay focused and pursue your dreams at all costs.

“It’s a world of possibilit­ies and remember through working together and supporting each other we make the world a better place.”

 ?? ??
 ?? ??
 ?? ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Zimbabwe