The Sunday News
Walter Mswazie in Masvingo
Masvingo businessman Mr Tanda Tavaruva who at his entrepreneurial peak saw his buses plying major routes around the country is on the mend after suffering a stroke a couple of years ago.
During his business hey days in the 1990s and early 2000s, Mr Tavaruva who became known as Mhunga was the toast of Masvingo Province with his buses literally ruling the province’s roads and country at large. A series of accidents resulted in the Government suspending his transport business in 2009 and from there he has never really recovered.
Years after the suspension, he suffered a stroke and he has been confined to a wheelchair since then.
Sunday News last week hooked up with his son, Mr Godwin Tavaruva, who shed light on what is happening to the family businesses.
“I can’t say much about my father as he has been confined to a wheelchair after he suffered a stroke. However, his health has improved and is coping but he is yet to regain total composure for any activity. But I can safely say we will return to the fold.
“We pray this inflationary environment will go soon and allow us to come back into business.
“We are watching the economic environment so we will take the next step.”
He said his father has not lost his wit despite the health challenges.
“The old man is up and about now but we don’t speak to him about business. That brings bad memories for him so we try by all means to keep him away from any preoccupation after realising the consequences. But there are two things that he is emotionally attached to, his business as he still thinks things are afloat and Masvingo United FC,” he said.
But what has happened to the business?
Mr Godwin Tavaruva said something big was brewing, but they were moving away from the transport sector. True, located in the city’s industrial site, the former depot for Mhunga buses is showing signs of life.
He said the family has found a formula to bounce back, this time in the property sector.
“The transport sector is no longer lucrative like yesteryears. To run buses, you need constant supply of foreign currency to buy spares and import new buses yet you charge in local currency. The risk is too much given that scenario.”
But, he cannot simply forget the business which propelled the family name into a household name in the province and country at large. Most residents in and around Masvingo used to heavily depend on Mhunga.
“We used to be the main centre for employment in this province and I want to assure our residents that those who used to work for us can have another dance with Tanda Taruva or Mhunga business anytime soon. Definitely we cannot go it alone.
“While we were not fortunate in the transport sector, we were never down and out as our assets are still there and the property sector is still retaining it’s value. We still own a number of buildings in the province that also include houses.”
He said the family wants to make their father proud by carrying on his vision of making Mhunga the company of choice in the province. Mhunga Transport was also the sponsor of Masvingo United, the soccer team which once became the darling of thousands of people in the province.
“While we gave the team to the community, let it be known we are not going to totally wean ourselves from a team that gave Masvingo province fame.
We know there is still quality players who can help us return to the elite Premiership League and that dream is still alive within the family. Football is part of my father’s life and to show our love for the team, one day we will come back and help the team. I know the problem of funding remains a challenge but I hope one day as the economy improves, the good old days will return.”
@walterbmswazie2
