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Walter Nyamukondiwa Chinhoyi Bureau
Mashonaland West Province has up to November 30 to come up with a pilot brand from which other provinces will emulate as part of the national branding programme. Senior principal director, Department of Public Affairs in the Office of the President and Cabinet Ambassador Mary Mubi said the country was looking up to the province. She was speaking last Friday at the Rapid Results Initiative workshop to review progress by the province in meeting benchmarks set on October 3.

“We agreed as the national branding team to create a recognisable pilot brand for Mashonaland West Province by the 30th of November 2017,” said Ambassador Mubi.

“This involves the identification of elements to be branded and tasking subcommittees to thoroughly explore various elements of the brands to be highlighted.” She said branding is putting the country’s best foot forward and it also involves tapping into the local market for investment. For it to be considered a success, Ambassador Mubi said it should start by attracting local people’s attention before it can be embraced by outsiders.

“We are relying on Mashonaland West to mobilise the rest of the country to take this national branding process as a process that will ultimately build unity of purpose,” she said. The national brand will tap into various elements of culture, way of living and belief system to come up with something that defines the nation. Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Cde Webster Shamu said there is need for generation of quality information related to the province.

“We are here to deliberate and strategise on how to take on the agenda of re-branding and revitalising our beloved province and build a platform for our brand Zimbabwe. As the province that has been chosen to undertake the pilot initiative in the national branding exercise, lets ensure that our products, including brochures, songs and websites motivate other provinces to undertake a similar exercise of introspection in the hope of building a truly recognisable national brand,” he said.