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Business Focus, which began on April 3 2003, was a graduation from a column –  “Indigenisation Talk”, which I had launched a year earlier and I must hasten to say that it has been worth the while.

The column was started at a time the economy was facing challenges emanating from growing international hostility as a result of the Land Reform Programme.
The effects of the Black Friday in November 1997 that saw the Zimbabwe dollar plummet against the United States dollar were still quite evident in the economy as well.

At that time the effectiveness of fiscal and monetary policies was being constricted by negative perceptions about Zimbabwe.
It was a time when negative sentiment had begun to creep into the economy and I felt I could provide a sober platform that sought to bring out opportunities that were manifest  but were being apparently submerged by the challenges.

It was a time when suspicion was growing between Government and business with finger-pointing being the order of the day. No one claimed responsibility for a wrong turn but the growing disharmony between the two critical stakeholders was having a debilitating effect on the economy.

I have over the years endeavoured to cover to the best of my ability such topics as the Diaspora factor in the economy, the financial sector crisis of 2004, parastatal reform, the stock exchange, fiscal and monetary policy, indigenisation and empowerment, agriculture, tourism, service delivery, customers, the World Economic Forum, global financial meltdown, the Asian Tigers, emerging economies and women’s empowerment.

Oh yes! Remember Operation Sunrise?
One always starts something with certain ideas and persuasions but is usually surprised by the evolution of the said idea. Behavioural scientists refer to this as the functional autonomy of motives.

The same could be said about this column, the most humbling moment being when a Malawian expert in agriculture recognised my face in Cape Town last month from the column as we got off a flight.

I trust that in my humble effort, the column has managed to conjure debate on issues economic or political sometimes, in a trajectory that has been as fulfilling and yet challenging.

Certainly all glory and honour belongs to God.
I have made great friends through this column and I have also ruffled quite a few feathers. Some have gladly accepted constructive criticism where it has been handed to them while others have taken issues personally. I have taken the latter in my stride. It’s the name of the game.

I have received loads of emails with some complimenting while others have found some of my opinions unpalatable.
This comes with the territory and I have enjoyed every single one of them.

I always tease our Deputy Editor that at some point I got emails that said I was a worse propagandist than Caesar Zvayi of the “My Turn” fame.
Certainly,  I have not shied away from praising Government policies where such is due but I have also been quick to criticise and offer alternatives in instances where I felt things could have been handled better.

“Zimbabwe Independent” columnist Muckracker is one person who has generally not found kind words for me but I certainly have no beef with him/her.
It is his predisposition and it is also good to be criticised for as long as it is with constructive intent. It keeps one on their toes while also putting a check on one’s ego.

On the positive side,  It has been great to see issues raised in the column either being put into policy or being acted upon. 
I know journalism is usually regarded as a thankless profession but when you get recognition and accolades from stakeholders you know you are doing something right.

When university students seek to use the column as reference material in their research projects and when some seek to be mentored by you because of what they read in the column and see in the person behind it, then . . . nothing is more gratifying than that.

Here and there you attend functions and people say we read your column every week or you get questions like: “What happened to your column last Thursday I could not find it in the paper?” Then you know in some way you are communicating.

There were times I have had to be tolerant and patient with some readers who would call or send short messages at 1am for instance. Some calling from as far as Canada, Australia, UK and other parts of the globe to compliment me or express their thoughts on a particular subject.

They were not perturbed by the time differences but would want to make their point anyhow.
At one point I was invited to be a  speaker at a conference in South Africa and the organiser said the invitation was based on my writings on this column.

He felt I had something to offer even to their countrymen. Locally it has always been a pleasure to share experiences as a journalist and opinion on the economy at various forums.

On a number of occasions I have been invited to sit on boards, again based on my instalments on this column and my writings outside it.
I can only be grateful to my past and current bosses who continue to guide me as we all often require in our various facets of life.

These include my first Editor Tommy Sithole, the late Charles Chikerema, the late Bornwell Chakaodza, current Zimpapers Editor-in-Chief and Group Chief Operating officer Pikirayi Deketeke, Group Executive Editor William Chikoto and my current Editor Innocent Gore.

One former Assistant  Editor who has had a phenomenal impact in my career is Funny Mushava. He has always been there to help guide and shape me in the world of journalism.

Contributions have come from a broad spectrum of society such as the corporate world, the academia, the ordinary man from the street.
To them I express my infinite gratitude for making the column what it is today.

Only a few years ago prominent academic and business women leader  Dr Mercy Nyangulu challenged me to turn my columns into a book. I am still to take it up.
Professor Christopher  Chetsanga also said as much when I met him at some function sometime ago.

It’s an idea I must give much thought to.
To all those who have contributed to growth of this column, you have my eternal gratitude and here is hoping that collectively we will continue to grow from strength to strength and even, or perhaps, especially where when we differ.

There is always unity in diversity.
In God I Trust!

l Email [email protected]