The feverish September spirit of innovativeness

By Margaret Kamba

There is a serious heed to the call by His Excellency President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa to be innovative and build the country.

During his second inauguration on Monday, he made the call once again for people to adhere to the principles among them hard honest work.

Walking about the streets across the country are generations of men and women who are earning an honest living from selling sweets, airtime, clothing, and food, amongst other things.

This has led to a serious boom in the construction industry as buildings are turned into small cubicles to accommodate the entrepreneurs.

These same people have turned into home owners as they ensure that they pocket every dollar they can find.

It is surprising that in this same environment, there are those who will allow money to leave their doorstep as they fail to exercise entrepreneurial skills that others exhibit so well. I guess we were not all born winners.

But what is it that makes other countries strive? It is the ability to monetize talents. People are able to make money with their talents. We are not all born business people, but some with training are able to come out with thriving businesses.

The farmer should be able to make a living out of his hard work. The banker, the driver, the nurse, the vendor and the nanny at home. The list is endless. They should be happy earning what they earn and having it easy.

What lessons are there to learn from these developed countries, such as the People’s Republic of China PRC, that we can implement as Zimbabwe in order to leapfrog our economy and usher out people out of abject poverty?

What steps have we taken towards realising those set goals? What are the possibilities to turn our dreams into realities? What should we do as individuals to help achieve the set goals?

We are all aware that vision 2030 is the running theme and objective. This same vision must begin at the individual level by setting goals for ourselves.

What do I want to achieve as an individual at the end of this year, 2023? Do I want to wear the same clothes I have been wearing? Do I want to buy a car? Do I want to build a house? Do I want to start a business? If we can put little-step-milestones for ourselves as individuals, then the sky is the limit.

The story of the man behind Build Zimbabwe is an interesting one. He started off selling sugar in Gweru and grew with time. Today, he is selling construction materials and growing his business.

For him, he saw an opportunity beyond selling the sugar and branched into a more lucrative field, and he is enjoying the benefits.

I hear someone saying that it is not possible to build a house from selling airtime. Now the question is, do you go and buy a house in Borrowdale when you know the income you earn can not afford you that house? It is simple logic for one to live within their means.

There’s no harm in downsizing from that 2 bed flat into a one bed flat or less if you set your goals to owning your own property at the expense of paying out rentals. What do you lose renting a one roomed apartment if it means achieving your goals? Being able to identify opportunities at the right time is the key to achieving success, but it means opening your mind and eyes.

Let those who want to detach themselves from your life due to your downsizing do so because they do not understand your end game. The problem is that we value too much what people think about us when we should be ourselves and live our lives to the fullest. What do we gain from it except attracting Non-Communicable Diseases such as Diabetes and High Blood Pressure that are killing many of us.

I want us to ask ourselves what the Second Republic is calling on each of us to do? Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo/Hango inobakiwa nebeni bayo.

President Mnangagwa has added prayer to the mantra, understanding that what we bring to Jehovah is that which we are passionate and serious about.

We come to Jehovah with our hearts sincere. The Bible says if my people who are called by my name shall humble themselves and seek my face, I will hear them and heal their land.

The time is right, and the table set for what is beyond anyone’s imagination.

The feverish September spirit of excellence is here and has been seen with the beginning of the grand inauguration of our President. It is time to jump onto the train in order to achieve what we haven’t achieved before.

The electric atmosphere of the 4th of September 2023 at the National Sports Stadium in Harare was nothing one has ever seen before. The Swearing in of the Members of the August House following closely on those heels. There is no time wasting. Be part of the process and play your part, or else history will judge you.

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