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The Herald, July 12, 1979 

MORE than 95 percent of supplies for OK Bazaars Ltd’s supermarket chain are now grown or manufactured within the country.  

The cost of local purchases in the year to March 30 was $14,1 million, according to the annual report to Delta Corporation Ltd.  

The local content in men’s shirts has increased from 60 percent a year ago to 80 percent. 

And in women’s clothing, all of which is locally manufactured, the figure is between 60 percent and 100 percent, said the report.  

“Manufacturers, in conjunction with buyers, are producing first class garments and the amount of locally produced cotton is increasing at a very rapid rate.”  

LESSONS FOR TODAY 

It is important for shops in any country to ensure that its shelves are dominated by local products because this has many benefits in terms of stocking – bridging the gap between the producer and consumer. It also saves on foreign currency. 

The Buy Zimbabwe campaign should be fully supported because by buying local, jobs are created, and the economy grows. 

For the programme to be fully entrenched, it must start with Government institutions as intimated by President Mnangagwa during the buy Zimbabwe Public Procurement Conference, held last week. 

 Government should take a deliberate policy to grant incentives to shops that stock up local products, especially those that are readily available. 

Manufacturers should also be encouraged to partner farmers through contract farming to enhance production on farms. Government on its part has been assisting in ramping up production of critical crops through Command Agriculture.