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Blessings Chidakwa and Remember Deketeke

A NEW era has beckoned for Mbare as the urban renewal programme roared into life yesterday following the ground breaking ceremony for the Mbare Musika Traders Market construction being undertaken by local firm Masimba Holdings.

Urban renewal and regeneration are at the heart of President Mnangagwa’s vision, with Mbare rejuvenation being the prototype to be cascaded down nationwide.

Masimba Holdings, which was the main contractor for the new Eastgate SME market owned by Old Mutual in Harare, will lead the Mbare renewal programme.

Addressing traders in Mbare at the ground-breaking ceremony and handover of the temporary alternative market site, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe said President Mnangagwa was prioritising the urban renewal of                                                                                  Mbare.

Minister Garwe said urban renewal of Mbare was at the heart of President Mnangagwa’s programmes.

He had directed the Traders Market be constructed swiftly following an inferno that destroyed stalls and wares last month.

“This is a very important day as it entails the birth of a new Mbare market which will act as a temporary marketplace, while construction at the official site commences.

“The President sent us to ensure that our small to medium enterprises have got decent, affordable and modern operational areas for their businesses,” he said.

“This initiative will not end at creating new market places only, but it will extend to all parts of Mbare in an effort to re-urbanise the city of Harare.”

The Minister said Mbare is deeply in the heart of President Mnangagwa with a vision of an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.

“In that vision, we are directed to pursue and ensure that we implement the policy on urban transformation, the policy on urban regeneration, retrofitting our buildings that are dilapidated, that are too old, urban transformation that also speaks to Vision 2030,” he said.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Dr Jenfan Muswere said the new Mbare Traders Market will have the necessary support systems for traders.

Minister Daniel Garwe (right) in a grader with a Masimba Holdings driver as the company started land clearing in preparation to build the new Mbare Traders Market. – Pictures: Edward Zvemisha.

“We are building modern facilities that have storage facilities, with traders having access to finances.

“The new set-up will recognise that a new economy is championed by SMEs with their businesses formally registered. It will support and recognise that SMEs should grow,” he said.

Minister Muswere said the market also should have a digital platform where at any particular time prices of commodities should be readily available, for example price of tomatoes.

Women’s Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said Ministers came and listened to the plight of the traders which President Mnangagwa directed to be swiftly attended to.

“We have a listening President who quickly responded after the inferno. In our last engagement, Mbare leaders indicated that after the inferno traders wanted to,” he said.

Minister Mutsvangwa said the construction will be fast-tracked.

“This move, of making sure that we immediately create an alternative market for Mbare traders will go a long way in ending prostitution, drug abuse and most importantly poverty,” she said.

Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Harare Metropolitan Province Charles Tavengwa said the Government was a listening one. The project was a testament to the Government’s support for creating an environment that promoted entrepreneurship.

“The Government through its different ministries has proven how far it can go in making sure there is a conducive environment that promotes entrepreneurship and employment creation which augments the National Development Strategy 1 and Vision 2030,” he said.

Masimba Holdings chief executive Fungai Matahwa said the project was not just about constructing a market, but about creating a resilient trading hub that would enhance economic opportunities for thousands of citizens.

“We are prepared to complete this project at the earliest possible time. This historic marketplace has long been the heartbeat of Zimbabwe’s informal trading sector. We also look forward to continuing to work with our partners.

“The renovation represents a significant step towards the nation’s vision of 2030. I want to express my great appreciation to the funders and the financiers that are going to support this project so that we complete it in                                                                             time.”

Mbare constituency MP, who is also a member of the ruling party, ZANU PF, Cde Martin Matinyanya welcomed the development saying it would give Mbare a facelift. A trader Ottilia Manhando openly welcomed the Government’s initiative although pleaded that those who were working in the market should be given                                                      priority.

“Finally, we will now have decent working spaces. We hope that preferences will be given to us who were affected in the inferno,” she said.

Another trader Virgina Mutize whose wares were destroyed while she was away in the rural areas said the construction of a new market was the way to go.