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Successful businessman, Mr. Edzai Kachirekwa, an electrical engineer and Director of Power Giants International revealed that a poor background and hardships are not limiting factors when he shared his entrepreneurship journey at a meeting organised by the Toastmasters Club that was held in Harare on Sunday 27 March 2022.
He was presenting on the topic: “How to expand businesses beyond the borders.”
“I come from one of the poorest families in the country. I was rejected by my father when I was 2 weeks old. I became my father’s punching bag. Despite my poor background, today Power Giants has a presence in seven countries. At one point I stayed on the streets.
” I survived on gathering cow dung and selling it to farmers as manure. On top of that, I gathered grass for thatching but my Damascene moment came when I approached a local businessman who accepted my business proposal and gave me capital to start my business. Through self-funding, I had acquired a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Zimbabwe.
“I am that poor boy who lived 0n the streets but I am also one of the first people who recently brought musicians together to raise awareness on the need to protect the girl child. The event was graced by the First Lady. That was motivated by my desire to bring positive change to the lives of people in the community. As Power Giants, we also fed rank marshals in Harare and preached to them about the importance of embracing good ethics in order to succeed in life,” Kachirekwa said.
The businessman said skilled people are necessary for the business and must transfer skills to others.
“Every business needs suppliers to provide inputs, as well as customers. Businesses also require land. There are a number of reasons why businesses fail. An entrepreneur should be innovative by carving a new niche in the market. You need original ideas and the commitment to do things differently and independently. There should be a willingness to work hard. One must be keen on energy, ambition, and be multi-skilled. You should be keen to learn technical skills, keep accounting records, acquire leadership skills, lead by example, have a personality that encourages other people to be innovative. One should be self-confident and have the ability to bounce back from setbacks. An entrepreneur should be a risk-taker by identifying market needs to offer sufficient demand. Experience alone is not enough. One needs to be formally educated in every sector. Sourcing capital is very important for the business.”
Mr. Edzai Kachirekwa sponsored Ndine Thaza Season 4. He is an electrical engineer and director of Power Giants International.
At church he is called the Bishop because of the work he does.
“It’s in my heart to make sure we don’t have people who struggle. In the journey of life, there are mountains to climb. If you are an entrepreneurs you face the big boys of the country, generals, and enemies alike. There are enemies who throw stones along the line. Business dynamics are conquered by personalities more than the business itself.
“Lots of people have ideas. An idea is only an idea until it is turned into a plan and executed. Failing to market your business effectively is a problem. One needs an edge over competitors. The giant in me is in the mindset. You should set smart goals. Microwave businesses are a danger to society and to the nation. You need to articulate your goals.Goals should be written down. Have crystal-clear goals. One needs a real plan for the business – a diary detailing what actions you need to take and at what time.
“Don’t run a business alone. Integrate skills. This will bring steady resources to your startup. Create departments by starting elements common to the entity. Power Giants is a proudly owned Zimbabwean company now in the heart of South Africa. It is spreading its wings across SADC. I encourage to make Zimbabwe an investment destination. Make your presence felt outside the country and make sure to bring money from countries outside Zimbabwe.”
Speaking on the same occasion, Trynos Dongo, the President of the Toastmasters Club said winners never quit and quitters never win.
“The best entrepreneurs in the world enjoy solving challenges. Take the time to realise the capability of the human spirit. I am impressed by the story of Engineer Edzai Kachirekwa, a man whose commitment to success has seen him leaving no stone unturned as he establishes business relationships with players in the government, private sector, and the international community,” Dongo said.
His sentiments were echoed by Julias Mwazha, the Vice President of the Toastmasters Club who encouraged women to be entrepreneurs.
“From time immemorial, women are known to be the drivers of production. They are the ones who work hard to produce food for the families and are known to complete given tasks faster and more diligently as compared to their male counterparts. that alone should give women the impetus to be leaders in entrepreneurship,” Mwazha said.
Ah-counter Amy Zindoga taught delegates on how to get rid of the ah in the speech. Grammarian Phethina Ndlovu supervised the use of the English language and reiterated the fact that toastmasters should be fastidious about speeches and be able to keep time by adhering to given schedules.