At one time the local media reported that about US$2 million circulated in Mbare on a daily basis! We do not have recent stats but still the figures could be close given that the Mbare Vegetables Market is the biggest one in the country drawing suppliers and clients across the country.

A lot of fruits and veges go to waste everyday and cumulative figures could run into several tonnes per per year worth hundreds of thousands or possibly millions of dollars.

Good folks, opportunities presented for startups that can collect excess products and process them for sale.

Requirements

# Buy or rent a home in Mbare or nearby industrial sites of Graniteside, Ardbennie, Workington or Southerton.

# Procure drying machinery from China with price ranges starting from US$10k

# Procure a truck for ferrying produce from Mbare and for delivery purposes.

# Learn about branding from a Zbinite Blessing Shumbakadzi based in Bulawayo. She has world class branded products.

# With time sensitise farmers to deliver material to own premises whenever they encounter market flooding. Instead of throwing away produce, they can obtain a return that may help in cost recoveries.

# Have collection centres at Mbare and even add Chikwanha vegetables market with time.

Of course these are the basics which needs to be followed after an extensive market research which factors the quantity of vegetables and fruits going to waste, the prices farmers would be willing to pay, the costs and revenues involved and in summary–viability of the venture.

The market includes local shops, tuckshops and leading brands such as Food Lovers.

Additional Benefits: The area of food recycling topical and attracting donor funding and prizes.

We all want to live in mansions isn’t it? Imagine a triple storey house with 10 bedrooms, 2 kitchens, tennis court, basketball court, entrance hall, swimming pools, theatre rooms etc.

Who would turn down such luxuries? Eeeh be honest lol

So those who speak against mansions just do not have the money right? To a great extent YES. A case of sour grapes, if you cannot afford it, then speak ill of it!

However within our community of ZBIN, we have a good number of rising entrepreneurs in different sectors of the economy with the fastest rising entrepreneurs involved in mining. So give the forum a few years and many will have joined the multi millionaire band wagon.

So to future millionaires, is a mansion a worthwhile investment?

For bragging rights Yes, however;

• You cannot rent it out,
• It’s difficult to resale as those who can afford to buy it prefer building own mansions,
• Mansions are costly to maintain and quickly lose value when poorly maintained,
• It’s tricky for banks to accept mansions as surety given that they are difficult to sell and recoup lost funds in case of default,

So in essence a multimillion dollar mansion can be a liability which only satisfy your ego but in real sense wasted monies.

High Rental Income Zones

Simple 4-5 bedrooms in Chisipite, Groombridge, Alex Park, Mt Pleasant and Highlands can earn rentals of 10% per annum with most coming from expats and company executives. The close location to private schools, shops and other amenities makes these areas more attractive. However they are unlikely to rent in mansions worth $1m and above.

Investment Options

• Can your mansion be turned into offices in future?
• Can it be converted into a lodge?
• Can it be a conference centre?
• Can it be converted into a school or college?

 In the developed world, mansions especially those owned by celebrities are easily sold, but in Zimbabwe, there is no such a market. So think carefully about this when your time to splurge on a dream mansion comes.

Make sure you have budgeted enough funds to complete the mansion for if you fail to complete it, it can take you decades to sell it.

The author holds no grudges against the wealthy, infact the message is congrats and enjoy your funds.