The biggest empowerment programme is underway in South Africa and if you are South African, you should not be left out in this once in a life time opportunity!  The biggest buzz word in the rainbow nation is land reform and it has two sides, those opposing it and those in full support. So to those interested in farming what steps should you take in order to benefit?

1. Follow all land issues especially debates in parliament and on local media.
2. Be the first one to benefit! Make this a commitment that when land is allocated you are not left out.
3. Check with your leadership and track progress in terms of land allocation.
4. Familiarize yourself with agriculture opportunities-read books, join farming groups etc
5. Form associations, register companies or NPOs

What if you do not have farming knowledge or funds?

Worry not, the government is perfectly aware that there are gaps in terms of farming knowledge and funding. They are going to design innovative models that will assist new farmers with technical expertise and access to funding.

Overview of farming opportunities

Agriculture has a lot of opportunities and the best way to analyse them is to look at the value chain which is a series of activities that add value from the inputs to the consumer. As illustrated in the above diagram-opportunities abound in the sector not only in farming operations but processing and distribution and marketing. Some will do the physical farming operations and some may find opportunities in the Agro-processing industries. For youths coming straight from college, you may need to consider the developing of startups to tap into the sector.

What happens to white farmers?

White farmers have the best skills and knowledge of farming operations and they have done extremely well and their expertise will be crucial for the success of new farmers. Already some pairing programs where new farmers were being trained by white farmers have been in place since 2012-although done on a small scale we expect the successes recorded to help in scaling up the model.

The white farming community can also benefit through provision of training colleges, agriculture consultancy, development of farming manuals or materials to assist new farmers because the biggest gap is KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS. Anyone who can fill this gap is going to reap rich rewards. Developing of farming apps, farming weekend classes, field day presentations etc

Where can you get more resources?

Our first book ‘Business Opportunities for Zimbabweans’ was distributed to more than 60.000 Zimbabweans. Our second project is ‘Business Opportunities for South Africans’ . The book covers a lot of opportunities in areas such as ICT, Tourism, Education, Construction, Mining and Agriculture. The Agriculture chapter is the largest and takes into consideration opportunities to be brought by the land reform. From poultry rearing, dairy farming-maize, paw paw, tobacco farming and a lot more. The book is your bible of opportunities in Mzantsi and comes after 8 months of researches which saw our team visiting Nelspruit, Joburg, Polokwane, Durban, Mtata, Bloemfontein, East London, Klerksdorp, Queenstown and Port Elizabeth. The book costs R120.00 and will be available on this site and several other online platforms.

So remember the number one rule of land reform empowerment: Be the first on the queue when land is redistributed! 

You can also join our Mzantsi Farming Groups by sending an app message to +263 774 081 808

Elections should be over within the next 3 months and we pray that they will be peaceful, free and fair so that the real work of rebuilding Zimbabwe can begin in earnest. The country has a lot of potential and the positive tone set by the new dispensation is likely to continue and attract more investment. Whoever wins the next elections is likely to put business first. We do not see anyone coming to reverse the Zimbabwe is open for business policy. So interesting times where the rebuilding of the country will be centred on business.

Looking at investment options for the diaspora community, lets assess feasibility of investment options.

1. Farming: Can you just come and get a farm and start farming? Its not feasible so try the business of supplying farming equipment such as solar irrigation equipment, tractors and trailers.
2. Mining: Can you just come to Zimbabwe and get an unused mine and commence mining activities? It is not feasible-all mineral rich mines are taken. Consider partnering with other miners especially on minerals such as chrome and gold. A lot of supplies needed in terms of mining equipment.
3. Education: Straight from the airport, can you just open a private school in Zimbabwe? Yes you sure can especially in new residential suburbs. So do track new areas being built where schools or colleges do not exist.
4. Real Estate: This is where all the money is! Why did Splash Paints invest $3.5 million in a new plant? Why is Dangote interested in investing in Zimbabwe? Why do we have new hardware shops being opened? Why is Harare getting a hardware warehouse? Why is there sudden activity of investors doing environmental assessments? The Indian community in Zimbabwe has strategically positioned itself so that they can benefit from the construction business. They know that construction has ground to a halt but after elections there will be a scramble for opportunities in the sector.

Diaspora and Real Estate Sector

Get organised, pool resources-form companies and invest in land for residential and commercial purposes. Already one of the leading real estate companies-Way Mark is busy finishing servicing residential stands in town. They are likely to put them on the market as soon as election issues are sorted. So get residential and commercial stands -invest in hardwares, register construction companies etc

Our forum has also organised members so as to create a one stop construction company-do watch out for its activities in the coming months.