TENDAI BHEBE IN BULAWAYO
Bulawayo’s leading exotic leather products manufacturer, Millennium Footwear, is buckling under the strain of Covid-19, with the company now pleading for support.
Local companies are also battling unfavourable macro-economic environments.
The Bulawayo-based company’s operations manager, Chrispen Mapiye, told Business Times that the business was severely affected by Covid-19 and is now calling on Zimbabweans to support local businesses in a bid to revive the country’s economy.
Over the past few years, Millennium Footwear has been showcasing their products in other countries like Botswana, Zambia and Namibia.
But, it’s no longer the case, due to Covid-19.
“Covid-19 has had a negative impact on our business in terms of not selling outside the country. We used to go for trade fairs to countries outside our borders like Botswana, Namibia and Zambia. But as for now we are selling our products locally,” Mapiye said.
He added: “We were bringing in foreign currency into the country.
“Most of Zimbabwe’s businesses are buckling under the weight of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Mapiye, however, said Millennium was developing survival strategies.
“Yes, we are facing challenges. But, we are coming up with new strategies to run our company and penetrate the markets,” he said.
He added: “As a company we come, we stand on our own. We need assistance but we try to strive to do better.
“I urge Zimbabweans to support local businesses so that we can grow the more we grow the more our economy grows.”
In 2017, Millennium Footwear won an award in the best manufacturing, mining and agriculture sectoral category at the 12th edition of Botswana Global Expo.
The Botswana Global Expo is an annual premier business to business exhibition organised and managed by the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre.
Mapiye said: “Leather we get it locally but some of the materials like glue and the other components we get them from outside the country so it’s a bit of a challenge when it comes to this pandemic.
Millennium Footwear, has since secured a trophy dealer’s licence, which allows it to trade in game products and to get its products from local tanneries early last year.
Securing a trophy dealer’s licence was part of the company’s efforts to re-strategise and focus on exports such as exotic leather products made from elephant, crocodile, ostrich and buffalo skin which are in demand in Europe.
