The Sunday News
Judith Phiri, Business Reporter
ENTREPRENEURS have been encouraged to desist from partaking in corruption for their businesses to grow.
Speaking as a guest, at the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) Business Agenda online talk show on Friday, entrepreneur and group chief executive officer of Cernic Finance Group, Dr Chamu Chiwanza said entrepreneurs should make it a habit not to partake in corruption for their businesses to grow.
“Corruption is a bad cancer, there is significant corruption in our country. Entrepreneurs are also contributing to corruption by giving out bribes. Instead of bribing officials in order to get a tender rather say give me an opportunity to show you that I’m the best person for the job and l can do it for less money required. We must put an end to corruption, but it’s a long process and though it seems more theoretical stopping it, it can also be done practically. Sometimes it’s a tough call,” said Dr Chiwanza.
He noted that he would rather give out money that would assist in a developmental project than win a tender through offering a bribe as that would be a waste of money.
Dr Chiwanza also said one of the challenges leading to the slow progression of the country like the rest of Africa was that people do not think.
“The biggest downfall of Africans or Zimbabweans is the ability not to think. As long as we do not take time to think we will not progress. Our thought process is wrong, hence we need to think critically. Have a clear business projection. The thinking ones are the ones who are willing to learn and do not act like they know it all. A lot of our people need to think, don’t just think about the now but project the future,” he said.
Dr Chiwanza also highlighted that Zimbabweans should stop being lazy and complaining that economic challenges are hindering their growth but should take this opportunity to make new businesses.
“As we are busy crying over the economy someone is making money in the current situation. Remove the stereotypes in our minds that our businesses are not growing because of the bad economic challenges. This current environment is actually perfect for business.
“It’s people who are lazy who do not want to work who are always crying, start your small business now and see if it won’t flourish because businesses answer to the needs of people,” said Dr Chiwanza.
He used examples of two entrepreneurs who took advantage of the Covid-19 era to set up successful businesses. One was buying groceries and delivering at peoples’ houses and the other was delivering water to different parts of Harare. He said they successfully made money to set up other businesses.
When asked about the current situation and how it was affecting civil servants such as doctors, nurses and teachers, he said people should stop crying about money and saying that the Government is not paying well.
Dr Chiwanza hinted that the money people are given as salary will never be enough, but they should be good at what they do and money will follow them.
Dr Chiwanza also said business and politics should not be mixed though they complemented each other.
“We complement the politics of the day and politicians need businesspeople more. There must be a clear line to say if you want to do business do business and if you want to be a politician do politics. We will not do away with corruption if we mix the two,” he said.
@phiri_judie
