Diaspora Matters

Happy new month to our readers. We have been away for a while developing a new market of short video reels. And we have done extremely well in documenting our history, featuring our members and promoting our brand. Our first feature of the month is Doren Chimuka behind Valfin Investments which is a Zimbabwean private equity investment and garment manufacturing firm based in Southerton, Harare. Operating alongside Valfin Manufacturers, the company specializes in clothing manufacturing, private label production, and retail supply.

Quick Facts

• Company Name: Valfin Investments (operating alongside Valfin Manufacturers)

• Industry: Private Equity, Garment Manufacturing, Textile & Apparel

• Headquarters: Southerton, Harare, Zimbabwe

• Founded: 2012

• Core Business: Corporate wear, private label clothing, and retail fashion manufacturing

Key Business Holdings & Operations

1. Garment Manufacturing

Valfin Investments operates major textile and apparel production facilities in Harare. Its factories produce:

• Corporate wear and uniforms

• Private label clothing for third-party brands

• Retail fashion lines

2. Vertically Integrated Supply Chain

Valfin operates a vertically integrated supply chain model.

Its manufacturing factories, including the Valfin and Bravette factories, directly supply and restock its retail store networks, ensuring control over production, quality, and distribution.

Frequently Asked Questions.

Where is Valfin Investments located?

Valfin Investments is headquartered in Southerton, Harare, Zimbabwe, with major garment manufacturing facilities in Harare.

When was Valfin Investments established?

The firm was established in 2012 as a clothing manufacturing company and has since expanded through strategic acquisitions and corporate restructuring.

What does Valfin Investments do?

Valfin Investments is a private equity and manufacturing firm that produces corporate wear, private label apparel, and retail fashion, and integrates manufacturing directly with retail distribution.

What is the relationship between Valfin Investments and Valfin Manufacturers?

Valfin Investments operates alongside Valfin Manufacturers as part of the same industrial group focused on garment production and investment in Zimbabwe.

Contact: +263 77 389 7652

Doren Chimuka.

ZBIN helps startups to establish and boost their brands. Taking you from a little known startup to national presence. And this evening we feature Mrs Constance Katuka.

Your Trusted Horticulturist and Home & Garden Supplier in Harare & Mazowe

Looking for established herb seedlings, garden plants, and preloved home furniture in Zimbabwe?

I am Constance Katunga, a horticulturist based in Christon Bank near Mazowe, serving Chisipite, Harare and surrounding areas.

With 7 years as an exhibitor at The Annual Garden Show Zimbabwe and a member of several Garden Clubs, I offer:

1. Plant Nursery in Christon Bank (Mazowe) – Over 100 Varieties Available:

• Established Herb Seedlings • Garden Plants & Indigenous and Exotic Trees • Protea Flowers

2. Preloved Home and Garden Furniture – From Chisipite, Harare:

• Quality preloved home furniture • Garden furniture and décor

3. Small-Scale Farming:

• Fish Farming • Oyster Mushroom Farming • Poultry and Rabbits • Madagascar Lima Beans – Proud ZBNItes Grower

4. Lifestyle & Wellness:

• Member of Viago Lifestyle Travel Club • Independent Distributor of Amway World-Class Products

Where do I operate?

Nursery in Christon Bank, Mazowe. Furniture collection/viewing in Chisipite, Harare. Delivery available.

How to contact Constance Katunga?

Call / WhatsApp: 0772 254 882

#ZimbabweHorticulture#PlantNurseryZimbabwe#Mazowe#HarareGardens#PrelovedFurnitureHarare#HerbSeedlings#ProteasZimbabwe#MushroomFarming#ZBNItes

The forum is mostly made up of the young generations who dominate proceedings. However we allowed space for the older generations to also thrive on the forum. The ZBIN Elders Forum is for entrepreneurs above 55 years of age and our short reel video shared below shows their activities.

Returning from South Africa to Zimbabwe to Uncover Hidden Opportunities.

Founder of “No Gadgets Fun and Play”

​”I am a ghetto girl from Mbare—a proud product of my roots, shaped by the streets of Warren Park and Tafara, and refined by my journey through South Africa and the Middle East.

In 2020, I made the decision to return home to Zimbabwe, having realized that there are plenty of opportunities in this country if you simply open your eyes and scan your surroundings. I didn’t come back just to work; I came back to build a legacy.”

​

My professional life has been a diverse tapestry: Marketing Consultant, Digital Entrepreneur, Counsellor, and Digital Skills Trainer. However, my most fulfilling role is being the founder of No Gadgets Fun and Play—a movement dedicated to reclaiming childhood in the digital age.

​The Journey Home: The “No Gadgets” Queen

​After building a career abroad, I returned to Zimbabwe with a clear mission: to follow my passion for counseling. As I approached my 40th birthday, a new purpose found me. Watching my own children—and children across the country—trapped in a cycle of screen time, I realized they were losing touch with the physical world.

​

As someone who grew up playing in the streets—returning home with “dusty legs and pure joy”—I realized the modern child was being robbed of vital life skills like resilience, conflict resolution, and authentic connection. I didn’t just worry; I acted. What began in July 2024 as a small holiday club in my living room has blossomed into a thriving enterprise.

​Our Impact: More Than Just Play

​We bridge the gap between the online and offline worlds, proving that childhood can be vibrant without a screen. Our offerings have grown to meet the needs of modern parents:

1. ​Holiday Clubs & Saturday Events: Safe, curated spaces for physical play, teaching traditional games like pada, nhodo, and tsoro.
2. ​Kids’ Parties: Bringing the “No Gadgets” philosophy to private celebrations.
3. ​Parenting Masterclasses: Equipping busy parents with strategies to navigate the digital era.
4. ​Offline Resources: Curating games and tools that foster family bonding.

​

Lessons from the Journey

​Experience is Never Wasted: My marketing degree and the skills I gained while working abroad weren’t detours; they were the foundation for the content strategy that drives my business today.

​Start Before You’re Ready: You don’t need a fancy logo or a storefront to start; you need a paying customer.

​Show Up Consistently: There were days with only one or two children, but I delivered with the same enthusiasm as if there were a hundred. That consistency builds a brand.

​Network is Net Worth: Applying for business programs (like the Stanbic Bank Business Clinics) transformed my approach. Never disqualify yourself from opportunities.

​Know Your Worth: Transitioning from an unsustainable $5 fee to a model that reflects value ($15) not only saved my business but attracted a more dedicated community.

​

Looking Ahead

​The digital world is here to stay, but it shouldn’t be the master of our children’s development. My vision is to:

​Take the mission to schools, raising awareness about digital harms. ​Build dedicated physical play spaces across Zimbabwe and the region.

​Continue advocating for a balanced lifestyle, ensuring our kids learn the life skills that can only be found in the “real world.”

​”Technology is a tool, not a lifestyle. Let’s help our children find the balance between the digital glow and the sunlight of the playground.”

— Tinashe Jaricha

There are a lot of advertising platforms for Zimbabwean small businesses.Whatsapp remains the best with Facebook and other video platforms such as Tik Tok and Youtube. However in most of these platforms brand growth is a huge challenge.

When everyone is posting Ads, and focusing ostensibly on Ads, who has time to appreciate brands? This is why it is very difficult to find well known brands from small businesses.

In comes ZBIN

With an average of 100k views on a daily basis. This is the highest ave no of views for a business forum. And our reach has surpassed 425k and growing everyday.

Promoting small businesses becomes easier when there is enormous engagement.

Subscribed members also have access to all Whatsapp forums which are well organized with full time Administrators.

How much is access?

We pegged individuals access at $10 per year to allow access to everyone despite immense benefits provided.

For the corporate sector or exclusive members, we pegged access at $40 per year.

For those who dont want to miss out. Kindly link up on Whatsapp 0773055063

Collin Gatahwi (Advocate Cocoe), a Legal Practitioner, Conveyancer, and Notary Public, delivered this Premium Chat to the ZBIN family regarding Family Trusts.

Q: ​What is a Family Trust?

​A family trust is an estate planning tool used to manage an individual’s or couple’s assets during their lifetime and outline how those assets are distributed after death.

​Legal Framework: Governed by the Deeds Registries Act [Chapter 20:05].

​Creation: Created via a Deed of Trust and registered through the Registrar of Deeds.

​Requirement: Must be registered by a Notary Public (note: not all legal practitioners are Notaries Public).
​Essential Elements of a Trust Deed
​A valid and legally enforceable Deed of Trust must clearly identify the Founder (creator), Trustees (managers), and Beneficiaries (recipients). It must also state a lawful purpose, clearly define the trust property, outline trustee powers, specify distribution rules, include succession/amendment clauses, and feature an acceptance clause signed by all parties.
​Pros and Cons of a

Family Trust

​Advantages

•√​Perpetual Succession: The trust continues to exist and hold assets seamlessly even if a trustee dies or becomes incapacitated.
•√​Protection from Creditors: Because the trust owns the assets (not the individuals), creditors cannot claim trust property.
•√​Tax Benefits: Trust property does not fall under the Deceased Estates Succession Act upon the founder’s death, avoiding standard deceased estate taxes.

•√​Efficiency & Privacy: Avoids the lengthy Master of the High Court process required for Wills. Because it is contractual, the distribution of the estate remains entirely private.
•√​Dispute Prevention: Helps eliminate inheritance feuds among relatives since property ownership does not change hands upon death.

​Disadvantages
•​Costs: Higher administration costs to set up and maintain.
•​Loss of Personal Control: Once assets are transferred, they belong to the trust and are managed by the trustees. Treating trust property as personal property is considered fraud.

​Key Takeaways & Misconceptions

​Trusts for Single Individuals: Single individuals can set up a family trust. They can appoint a co-trustee (like a parent or sibling) and name themselves and their “unborn children” as beneficiaries. The deed can later be amended to include or substitute a spouse.

​Taxation (ZIMRA): It is a misconception that all trusts are taxed. Only income-generating trusts (earning from rentals, business profits, dividends, etc.) are taxed. If profits are distributed, beneficiaries pay income tax on their share; if income is retained within the trust, the trust itself is liable for the tax.

Admin Notes*
This was a star Presentation by Advocate Cocoe and only included 40% of her presentation and this excludes Q&Answers.

Advocate Cocoe is a member of ZBIN and can be contacted on +263 77 967 4674

This website has been around for a good 10 years and is loaded with resources. If it is your first time, we welcome you and hope you will enjoy and also learn from the hundreds of posts on this website. You may also want to join the forum of 336, 000 members with platforms such as Facebook Group and Whatsapp Platforms.

Most of our recent content is targeted at returning residents from South Africa and this latest one is on Papaya Farming.

Are you a returning diasporan?

Stuck on what to do?

No big capital. No farm.

This is NOT another “started with $1” motivational story.

This is real, practical, and doable.

Meet Mr Garande — ZBIN Farmer

One of ZBIN’s leading agripreneurs.

In 2017 he pioneered *Hybrid Paw Paw Farming*… from his rural home in Shamva.

He hasn’t looked back since.

……

The Batisisai Formula.

……

This is how he did it:

1. Start Small, Start Smart.

Nursed seedlings in Harare where water and expertise were available.

2. Time With The Rains.

Transported the young plants to Shamva right at the start of rainy season. Nature did 70% of the watering for free.

3. First Harvest = Capital.

By end of rains, the plants flowered and fruited. He sold the first harvest and used the profits to fund a solar-powered irrigation system.

4. Farm All Year

That solar system meant no more waiting for rain. Dry season became harvest season too.

Where’s The Market?

He didn’t plant and pray.

Before spending $1, Mr Garande did research.

He found out:Most paw paws in Harare are imported from South Africa.

Problem? They wilt in transit. Poor quality on shelves. High prices.

Harare’s Paw Paw Problem = Shamva’s Opportunity.

Local. Fresh. Ripe. Affordable.

Supermarkets, vendors, and restaurants were tired of bad imports. They wanted a reliable local supplier.

3 Lessons From Mr Garande:

1. *Use What You Have* → Rural land + rain = low startup cost

2. *Solve A Real Problem* → Bad imports created demand for local paw paws

3. Reinvest Profits* → First harvest funded irrigation. Irrigation funded year-round income

Bottom Line:

You don’t need 100 hectares or $50k to start.

You need research, timing, and a crop that solves a city problem from a rural base.

Shamva proved it.

Paw Paws proved it.

Mr Garande proved it.

ZBIN Question For You:

What “city problem” can your rural home solve?

I havent checked with lately whether he has paw paws available….but you can link up with him on +263 77 269 8790.

If you bump into Paw Paws in Harare then chances high they are Shamva Rural Certified, or came from some of his mentees. Some of his paw paws transported to as far as Victoria Falls. Some of his mentees in Honde Valley exporting to Mozambique.

ZBIN Legends.

When Cecil John Rhodes trekked North from South Africa—He had one mission—Gold. Nothing but Gold.

Impressed by the massive gold deposits in Witwatersrand—intelligence reports had indicated that there was a second Witwatersrand in Zimbabwe. South Africa already had loads of land for farming—so no big incentive for

So a team of gold hunters crossed Limpopo and ending up in Zimbabwe. However much to their disappointment—gold existed, but in the same quantities as initially promised.

Recovery: How to recoup investment costs?

They turned to land. Develop land—turn to farming and infrastructure development alongside mining. (From the book; The Rhodesian Economy)

And this, ladies and gentlemen—is how land became a a very valuable asset. More valuable than other regions across the continent.

Massive investment in land in land and in addition—control over land values are maintained. Policies and control over availability and this has continued for centuries. Add the Economy, Inflation, Mortgages availability, and investment climate.When Cecil John Rhodes trekked North from South Africa—He had one mission—Gold. Nothing but Gold.

Impressed by the massive gold deposits in Witwatersrand—intelligence reports had indicated that there was a second Witwatersrand in Zimbabwe. South Africa already had loads of land for farming—so no big incentive for

So a team of gold hunters crossed Limpopo and ending up in Zimbabwe. However much to their disappointment—gold existed, but in the same quantities as initially promised.

Recovery: How to recoup investment costs?

They turned to land. Develop land—turn to farming and infrastructure development alongside mining. (From the book; The Rhodesian Economy)

And this, ladies and gentlemen—is how land became a a very valuable asset. More valuable than other regions across the continent.

Massive investment in land in land and in addition—control over land values are maintained. Policies and control over availability and this has continued for centuries. Add the Economy, Inflation, Mortgages availability, and investment climate.

On Part 1 we appreciated the evolution of data to present form—and predicting the future.

We may need a recap. We started with types of data (written , audio and visuals) and the tools or earlier machinery in use—such as printing presses and typewriters for written data.

We did not cover  telecommunication (Radios, Televisions, and Satellite TVs). But there was evolution going alongside data evolution.

MaTools Edu: Printing presses, Typewriters, Radio and Television.

Shanduko Yekutanga(1): Computers, Advanced Printing Presses, Online Radios, and thers

Shanduko Yechipiri (2): Internet yakashandura Data transmission, Data creation, Data Storage, Data Editing. Internet ikaunza E-commerce nezvimwewo zvakawanda.

Shanduko Yechitatu (3): Smartphone accelerated Data collection. Makomo nemakomo e data akazara with billions of citizens creating content and Social Media helped in the revolution.

Shanduko Yechina (4): Toitei nemakomo makomo e data rauya iri? Nezuro takati I duri. Duri ririkufashukira ne data, rimwe richingoramba richiuya kasingapere.

Ma Problems aivepo

Intellectual Property Rights: Google inova iyo yakazarisa kukunda vamwe vese—kwakatanga kuita maproblems ekuti vene vedata vainge voti tinodamuripo. Haungashandise maphotoangu, haungashandise data rangu.

Kugadzira: Hawaikwanisa kugadzira ako maphoto, kugadzira music, kugadzira mafilms nezvakawanda. Hongu waigona kuenda kunaana Canva, nemamwewo ma websites.

Kutuma: Hawaikwanisa kutuma Google kuti pindura ma clients, vabatsire zvinovashupa. Kudata—hawaikwanisa zvirinyore kuti ndipe summary yenyaya iyi. Therefore Kutumika kuti ikushandire raive dambudziko gurusa.

Kuuya kwe Artificial Intelligence

Yakauya kuzogadzirisa maproblems ese aripamusoro apa—Hatina kuadoma ese nekuti mazhinji.  Kana kwaane ma Agents anotumika uye achiita mabasa nekukurumidza. Uyezve achikwanisa kuzvifungira hupenyu hunotirerukira.

Saka ndeapi maproblems achafanirwa kugadzirwa atichiinawo?

Ruzivo: Hongu zvidzidzo zviriko. Hongu munhu wese oziva kuti kune AI. Asi ruzivo rwuchirwudukusa. Asi ichasvika nguva yekuti munhu wese anenge avemo.

Vashomanene: Varikushandisa vachivashoma. Vane hunyanzi vagova vashoma zvekare.

Infrastructure: Infrastructure ichiri diki—asi investment irikuzara chaizvo fanike nyika dzekumavirira.

Resistance to Change: Kubva kuma type writer kuenda kuma computer yakatova hondo tsvuku. Kubva kuma landline phones kugamuchira macellphones hazvina kuva nyore.

Conclusion

Liberalization: Data raiva ne a selected few vaiita capture, create, use and share. Internet ne smartphones yakaunza billions through Social Media kuti tiite murambamhuru pakuzadza dura redata.

Kutumika: Data ravekufanira kutishandira using AI Tools. Chichatanga kutumika as first stage(Hatisati parizvino tave ne perfect efficiency asi tichasvika)—Second stage kuzvifungira roita rega. Parizvino tichavanemakore vanhu vachituma macomputers. Asimberikwazvo macomputers ngaazvifungire opedza basa. Gadzira album re Sungura—wogadzirazve nema videos. Wotengesa wondipa mari.

Part 3 ndiyo ichave final—tichatarisa maopportunities kubva kuma type writers kusvika AI Revolution.

Tinotenda nekuverenga kwenyu.

Don’t miss the Digital Marketing Lessons we will be offering in June 2026

We have decided to simplify Artificial Intelligence by writing in a mix of local languages and English. A lot of material on AI doesnt cover the historical perspective which is relatable to locals. So this article helps appreciate the bigger picture of AI. Where it came from and where it is going.

Forms of Communication

1. Oral
2. Written
3. Visual

Idzi ndomhando dze communication ka idzi kubvira makare kare. Kutaura—Cave Paintings (zvinyorwa)  uye kuwonana (Visual).

Typewriter Age: Ngatiitei fast track to the 80s and 90s uko tinowona ma type writers uye ma printing press emabhuku nema newspapers.

Ndeapi ma Weaknesses aivepo pa type writers?

1. Size: Paiunganidzwa munda wema pages –makomo nemakomo
2. Sharability: Waizoda Telegram kuti utumire kure nekuti ma typewriters aive mastand alone.
3. Portability: Hawaikwanisa kufamba ne typewriter
4. Audios & Visuals: Hawaikwanisa kuisa kubudisa kana kuisa ma audios or visuals mumapepa kana mabhuku agadzirwa
5. Ruzivo: Kwaingove ne vashomanene vakadzidziswa type writing or kushandisa maprinting press
6. Business Use: Vashomanene vaikwanisa kutenga typewriter yekunoshandisa kumba kutyper zvaunoda. Ma type writer aive epamabasa.
7. Data Manipulation & Editing: Watyper zvainge zvavharana. Kuda kuzoisa magraph, ma formulas hazvaibuda pa typed papers.

Computer Age: Ma computer kwakuuya kuzogadzirisa ma problems aripamusoro apo. Asi haaikwanisa kuagadzirisa ese nezuva rimwechete.

Hardwares and Softwares kwaakuuya:  Target market yekutanga ari ma governments and companies. Ma floppy disks—nemamwe maprinters achiuya. But painge paine dambudziko re CONNECTION. Company iriku Bulawayo neimwe ku Mutare zvobatanidzwa sei? Chekutanga kwaive kutumira ma disc nebhazi.

Internet Age: Hooyoo mubatanidzwa wema computers—Tava nema emails—tave nema websites. Ma computer avekutaurirana. Target Markets: Initially business, then next maconsumers …ma personals ndivo vakabva vawanda. Pastorage pakabva pauyawo Block Chain.

Smart Phones Age: Mobility yatambotaura kuti matypewriter hwaive hwungwanda ngwanda husingatakurike. Computer Age yakaunzazve ma laptops—but still it was a half done job. Smart Phones were the real deal.Kuisa muhomwe—kufamba nayo mumota, mundege etc

Smart Phones & Social Media: Vanhu vanofarira (Kutaura, Kunyora+ Kuwona (live visuals) Mukana uyu wakauya. No more mazibepa to file (storage), connection iripo zvekare to many online people.

Ruzhinji rwevanhu vakabva vazara kumasmart phones kupfuura nguva yema typewriters and personal computers. Maphones kuvanhu—tinowona ma companies achiita mashoma—asi vanhu vari mavhu nemarara. Maiwona change in strategy ka apa?

Artificial Intelligence Age: DURA

Ngatitaurei pamusoro pe Dura. Kubva kuna 2000-2026: Data rawaisa pa computer rakawanda sei? Ku college uchinyora ma thesis, kubasa, paphone, pa Social Media. Maphotos, ma videos, machats. Facebook, PaTwitter, Whatsapp, Youtube nemamwe maplatforms. Saka data rese waiisa unoti raiendepi? Data reseriripa Google—rongoraswa? Wainge uchiisa mudura.

Ukuwo innovations in saving data such as clouds.

Artificial Intelligence Age: Dzoka Mushure Tichienda Mberi

Woti ndikutemwa nemusoro mapiritsi andigade ndeapi? AI inokuvhunzisisa kuti wakatanga riinhi, nemimwe mivhunzo—yozokupa mhinduro. Mhinduro yaiwanepi? Dura, Dura,Dura

Woti gadzira musambo we reggae pa Sumo—yotogadzira. Yazviwana kupi? Dura, Dura, Dura

But Dura iri rine malimitations. Takuda zvinotumika—Taakuda ACTION. Uye taakuda HUPOROFITA—gore rinouya zvichange zvavapapi panyaya yekunaya?

Post yedu yazodzoka yakurisa—ruregerero kwamuri. Last paragraph iyo inoda kudzokorodzwa.

Murare zvakanaka.