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Trust Khosa

ATTAINMENT of life-changing goals is every hustler’s wish in the informal sector.

It takes a lot of sacrifice, sweat and strength to achieve success.

Informal trading is not for the faint-hearted since it comes with its fair share of challenges and risks.

Focus, resilience and boldness remain key pointers in the creation of successful dealers.

Turning professional and diversifying are two prerequisites for the business to flourish after making a huge breakthrough.

Sadly, this is not the case with most hustlers who lose the plot once they taste fame and fortune.

Some are always up and about, trending for squandering their hard-earned riches on women, booze and drugs.

It’s sad how some of these dealers easily forget the rough terrain they journeyed in their quest for success.

In rare cases, some have made it to acclaim by default.

Others have inherited these business enterprises from close relatives and they are clueless on how to maintain the standards.

Those with sound management are diversifying and formalising their operations.

Precisely, this aptly sums up most car sales dealers’ operations whose lifestyles will always remain under the spotlight.

Most of these successful car dealers we envy today started from the bottom.

Their fairytales can easily pass as April Fools’ Day pranks.

It is hard to believe that several car sale owners started either as cleaners, messengers or mere drivers.

The Herald on Saturday Lifestyle probed some of the country’s top car dealers who opened up on their successes.

Pan Jap Car Motors boss, Brighton Ushendibaba, recounted how his journey can easily make an inspirational book.

At 21, Ushendibaba was already in the game although he was on the periphery.

“I started as a driver who used to be sent as far as Durban (South Africa) to go and get cars that were needed at car sales for a fee.

“It was not easy for me considering that I was young but I defied the odds to be where I am today.

“I see the hand of the Lord because I am a baby of grace who came from the bottom,” recalled Ushendibaba.

After years of serving established car sale owners, Ushendibaba made a huge gamble and started his empire.

“Some of the people I used to work for as a driver are still around doing the same business.

“Others who used to send me to do their errands have fallen by the wayside, which is quite unfortunate.

“Patience and hard work have made me where I am today.”

Unlike some car sale owners known for their lavish lifestyles, Ushendibaba has remained grounded.

“As we taste fame, we should not forget where we came from to be where we are.

“I have roped in professional people to help me run my business.

“Business tycoon Kuda Tagwirei is my role model who has achieved success through hard work,” he said.

Ushendibaba, who also has interests in sports administration, reckons giving back to the community has made him different from other car sale owners.

“I strongly believe that if you assist others from the bottom of your heart, you will be blessed.

“There are people who assisted me when I was still a nobody in business and I cannot afford to disappoint them,” said the affable businessman that sponsors a lot of charities.

Another car sale owner who operates in Msasa, Harare, Tichaona Mushokori, of T & T Motors, reckons goodwill has made him remain afloat.

Tichaona Mushokori

“I have worked for big companies in Zimbabwe as a marketing manager but I had a passion for cars growing up.

“My target was to become an employer when I reached 40 and I am glad that God answered my prayers.

“I realised that I had the potential to be my own employer and I cannot complain because I am living my dream,” said Mushokori.

The astute businessman, who has been sponsoring several musicians as part of corporate social responsibility, believes goodwill is needed in business.

“I have been in this business for close to 20 years now and I cannot complain because our clients respect us a lot.

“Some of the people that we dealt with 10 or so years back, still come back to us because of our special services.

“We had created a special bond with our clients who now respect us for our services,” he said.

He also shared his thoughts on car sales owners/dealers known for lavishly squandering their earnings on booze and women.

“It is expected among young people when they are growing up although I did not do that at my age.

“My advice to car dealers who do not have a vision is for them to engage professionals to help them.

“People should not stray away from their goals because of culture shock or money.”

Mushokori has also urged fellow car sale owners to diversify.

“We should not lay our eggs in one basket because business trends keep on changing world-over.

“Talking from experience, I have noted that I needed to be focused and stick to my goals,” he said.

Like any other business, car sale owners are not spared from several challenges faced by entrepreneurs.

“Challenges will always be there in business but we need to be innovative in this industry. The demand for cars is high and we should always think outside the box to win clients’ hearts.

“Honesty is needed in this business for one to succeed in life.”

Car sale in Milton Park

On a positive note, the new generation of car sale owners is business-minded and God-fearing.

One such dealer is Tapiwa Takavarasha who runs Auto Expo and Netway Auto car sales in Milton Park Harare.

Takavarasha, who recently gifted Mathias Mhere US$1900 at the launch of his 11th album titled “Akati Anesu” in Harare, puts prayer first in everything he does.

“I put God first in everything that I do in life. God has been awesome to me,” he said.

Besides stiff competition from other car dealers within proximity, Takavarasha has remained afloat in the game.

However, some car sale owners spoke about juju use in this sector.

A car sale employee who doubles as a mechanic said juju use was rife in this sector.

“It is sad to note that some car sale owners splash money in public as part of their rituals.

“Most of these car sale owners use juju and it is quite unfortunate because it drains them a lot.

“Some of these car sale owners are into shady deals because they are not making anticipated sales,” said the mechanic who preferred anonymity.

There are also claims that some car sale owners are fronting well-to-do people.

Besides all these claims, the car sale business has its own challenges and success stories.

What is refreshing is that young entrepreneurs in this business have created many jobs.

This has been the Government’s mantra that many people have embraced.

Despite hurdles for beginners, it is quite encouraging to note that the car sale business has also changed many lives.

Some retired footballers like Dumisani Mpofu are also into this business while musician Sam Dondo has been doing wonders. Although some well-known figures or celebrities have yet to open big empires, this business has given them a fall back plan.