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Mashonaland West Bureau

Karoi is expecting a major facelift, with one of Zimbabwe’s leading retail outlets, OK Zimbabwe, set to open a branch.

A colourful ground-breaking ceremony was recently held at the Anglican Church stand in Karoi where a deal was penned between the church and the retailer.

The Karoi Town Council brokered the deal.

Hurungwe Central Zanu-PF Member of Parliament Cde Godfrey Beremauro described the deal as historic.

“I want to thank Karoi Town Council, the Anglican Church and OK Zimbabwe for clinching a deal that will benefit Karoi, Hurungwe, Mashonaland West and the country at large,” he said.

He said the project resonated well with the call by President Mnangagwa’s Zimbabwe is Open for Business mantra.

Anglican Church Harare Diocese Bishop Chad Nicholas Gandiya, who officiated at the function, thanked Karoi Town Council for pushing development in the area.

He urged the Karoi community to work extra-hard towards the completion of the project to realise the common good it would bring.

Karoi Town Council chairman Mr Richard Ziki said the deal between OK and the Anglican Church came after a long process.

“I would also want to thank members of Karoi Town Council who worked tirelessly for the success of negotiations for the partnership between OK Zimbabwe and the Anglican Church,” he said.

“Karoi community is expecting that a state-of-the-art structure would be put up and change Karoi’s image.”

OK Zimbabwe technical manager Engineer Philip Karidza told the gathering that his organisation was going to employ locals and empower the Karoi community.

He said the shop would be opened before next year’s OK Grand Challenge.

In an interview, Karoi Town Council spokesperson Mr Precious Nharara expressed satisfaction with the development.

“Having mega brands of OK’s size setting up shop in the town has always been high up on Karoi’s development agenda,” he said.

“As Karoi, we are therefore immensely excited that OK is coming home.”

Mr Nharara said prospective investors should seriously consider the town in their investment plans.

Karoi Town secretary Mr Wellington Mutikani, residents and Anglican Church congregants attended the ground-breaking ceremony.