Zimpapers Logo

Victoria Ruzvidzo Business Focus
News that KLM Airlines and Egypt Air have decided to abandon Harare routes has been quite sad, especially as we were still celebrating their return. Before we could even put down the celebratory juice glasses (champagne for some) they have said goodbye. The transformation from extreme joy to severe sadness can be too much even for those with a strong psychological make-up. But be that as it may, we shall not mourn. They say nothing is entirely bad.

Everyone enters into business to make profit so if they found the route unviable, we cannot stop them from going.
If they see the route as more of a cost than a gain then indeed it makes business sense to abandon such. But in the same vein, some investors do get into business for the long haul and will certainly give a product or service time, banking on future prospects.

We will not lie that the economy is firing presently or that tourists and investors are tripping over each other to come to Zimbabwe. The truth is the numbers have been increasing but not at the expected pace.

Generally, travel to and from Zimbabwe to the rest of the world is subdued, with improved visits when we have special programmes such as the UNWTO General Assembly, the United Family International Church events, the Jehovah’s Witness meetings which begin tomorrow or some such activities that see visitors flocking to this part of the world.

Outside these, the Harare International Airport usually looks a bit deserted when compared with activity at other airports. However, when the two airlines and others came, there was something that pulled them. Herein lies the opportunity for introspection.

As it so happens in life, sometimes one needs to take a step backwards to move two forward.
The withdrawal of the airlines from this country is generally retrogressive and somewhat presses a panic button that says certain things are not in order. WE should draw lessons from it, introspect and know that ultimately, the darkest hour comes before dawn as my dad was at pains to hammer this point home when I was hardly in my teens.

Resultantly deeply ingrained in my DNA is to see the glass as half full and not half empty.
The economy is quite challenging, with biting liquidity issues. To fly is a luxury even for the hitherto well-heeled. Virtually every sector is affected but we should all look at the bigger picture.

When days are dark, we generally fail to conceive that there will be light at some stage. In fact the dark period, as uncomfortable as it may be, appear to go on endlessly.

There are quite a number of negatives, some of which I have covered in this column but I remember reading somewhere that failure is probably the greatest success.

For when we fail, we need to re-look at things, learn some painful lessons, and re-assert ourselves with even greater vigour. Then and only then will we grow in wisdom.

The withdrawal of these airlines shakes confidence, batters our image and lowers revenue. This is a symptom of a greater malaise. Even Zimbabwe Tourism Authority was at pains to explain the decision made by these airlines.

I have learnt over the years that it is not what happens to you that matters but rather what you do about it. We all desire and aspire to do well as Zimbabwe and if we maintain the spirit to achieve we will get there.

Zimbabwe is a great tourist and investment destination with a capacity to attract even more airlines once we get the economy ticking again. Those airlines that are in it for the long haul will reap the benefits of their patience one day soon.

I am sure that airlines such as the South African Airways and Kenya Airways would be among the first to admit that maintaining a presence on Zimbabwe’s routes does pay quite handsomely.

The Zimbabwean route is quite lucrative even in some instances.
But when all is said and done, the tourism authority needs to investigate the reasons for departure and help formulate strategies that will see the country retain industry needs to do an investigation into the aviation industry to ascertain present challenges and how they can be resolved to avert any future or imminent withdrawals.

In the meantime we will take pride in the fact that while some have decided to leave, others like Fast-Jet are coming in.
It means we have challenges but the more discerning investor still see lots of opportunities in the economy.

In fact yesterday I attended the Seed Co launch of their new packaging material where chief executive Mr Morgan Nzwere and managing director Mr Denias Zaranyika expressed optimism and confidence in the economy.

The seed firm has invested into the new packaging as it seeks to consolidate its market share while moving with the times.
The firm said statistics on the ground had shown that over the past month its seed uptake had improved following the introduction of the new packaging to the market.

This is positive news coming out of the agricultural sector. This even and the testimonial by the Seed Co executive that all is not lost on Zimbabwe.
So much can be achieved in this economy by authorities in Government, the private sector and other stakeholders need to be reminded that much more can be achieved if current challenges in the operating environment are redressed.

In God I Trust!

[email protected]